Can you grow old with WLS?

2 to 5% of people who lose weight with diet and exercising keep it off  and those people do rigorous exercise daily, and watch what they eat all the time.  I wanted to be in that percentage but it is almost a joke.  And that is not to say that you'll have a free ride with WLS - it is work, lots of work.  You still have to watch what you eat and exercise every single living day of your life.  The great thing is you have an internal tool to help you out. Why not look into the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy?  It is a purely restrictive WLS and you'd have the option of  converting to a Duodenal switch in the future if the restriction is not enough. Good Luck with whatever you decide, Leila

Studies often don't show the whole picture.  Several questions to ask would be:  did the study members exercise, take vitamins, eat properly?  Did they maintain a normal weight or did they maintain too low a body weight or did they yo-yo even after WLS?  Was it a double blind study, meaning did they have a control group that had the same general health that they compared the WLS patients with?  Had the patients already developed so many co-morbidities that had damaged internal systems before their surgery (diabetes, heart disease, etc.) that they had already shortened their lifespan? Good luck in making your decision.

I can understand your concern, and respect that you are looking at every aspect of WLS. I had my surgery at age 58 after having been a fat baby (36 pounds at 4 months), a chubby toddler, the fat little girl, the overweight  teen ager, the obese adult. I joined Weitgth Watchers so many times I lost track, and lost hundreds of pounds. I did several other plans, fad diets, pills, you name it. I could lose it, but I couldnt keep it off. Finally at age 58 I weighed 325 pounds, wore a size 28-30, and my health was failing fast. I suffered from congestive heart failure, borderline diabetic. joint pain, breathlessness, high blood pressure, depression, severe edema, foot problems. I became a recluse, and didnt want to go anywhere, My sweet husband had to help me put my shoes and socks on, and I was so embarrassed. Finally one day I got up and said,,I cant do this anymore! Since my surgery and a loss of 120 pounds, I can walk for miles, work in the yard, am always out and about, and have no health issues at all. My doctor said I have added a good ten to fifteen years to my lifespan. I appreciate his telling me that, but I am a believer in a higher power who rules and reigns my life, WLS or not, He will decide when my life is over, not any surgery or health issue. I really feel it was Him that led me to the WLS, and has let it be the success that it is. However, now that the weight is gone, it is up to me to keep it off and make the best of this gift that I have been given. It was a very serious choice to make, but by far the best I have ever made adn I would do it again every week if need be to stay healthy. God bless you in your research and may you make athe right decision for you. We all are different and have different needs and desires. Be blessed Betsy

The way I feel now compared to the way I did preop....I could go tomorrow to summerland and have no regrets...and that is the honest truth...I don't want to go anytime soon but the surgery was truly my last resort and I suggest that if you are not sure...Don't do it.  I was certain from the day my doc suggested it...It took a year to get it all set up. I had plenty of time to think and to try to lose weight on my own...or change my mind...I never faltered.  The alternative was too grim for me. I had already begun to think of ways to end my suffering if I'm going to be honest here.  Even with some later complications like anemia and some vitamin deficiencies...as common as they are in both wls people and non wls people...I just have to be more accountable by taking the vitamins I need and keeping track of my levels...It doesn't matter anymore that I was not diligent....I am now and I will fix it. No blame... no excuses..It is what it is and I just have to fix it! It will get better... As for death...it is the one and only thing in life that is 100% absolutely, undeniably certain...We will all die...When we will die will never ever be 100% positively certain. That's all I need to know because when I had my surgery 4 years ago, I believed that quality of life was by far better than quantity of days I might have left...and I have no regrets at all...Not even a little.

This is exactly the way I feel about this question.  Quality of life is something to seize and be grateful for if you're fortunate enough to have it or at least have a chance at it.  Not being morbidly obese has enhanced the quality of my life regardless of its length from here on out. To the OP:  I can't think why having WLS (barring surgical complications or patient noncompliance with labs and supplementation) would shorten someone's lifespan.  I wouldn't accept at face value any study that says it does unless that study looks at the question *why* lifespan is decreased.  If it's not attributable to having WLS (and could be just as attributable to not wearing green socks), it's not a useful study. In contrast, as has been pointed out in this thread already, remaining morbidly obese creates health problem, exacerbates health problems, hides health problems, etc.  Being M.O. clearly impacts life span generally. There are two choices:  Have WLS, creating a shot at putting morbid obesity in remission, or remaining M.O. (perhaps even gradually becoming Super M.O. over time).  The third choice, achieving a healthy weight through diet and exercise alone, is only a true choice if you can achieve it.  Since 95 percent of us can't, that's a long shot.

Hi Catje, I agree with all who say this is the best thing they have ever done for themselves. I am 55 and I was an up-and-down gainer and loser most of my life. I don't know if you have groups near you who meet and talk about their lives pre and post op, but if you don't know many success stories personally, I will be in Hamburg in July and I would be happy to meet with you while I'm over there. I love your trains. If this seems like a good idea, just contact me. My life is so different now, I wish I had done it in my 30's. nancy

My Mother had WLS  over 25 years ago.  She lost all the extra weight and has kept it off.  Now she is 62 years old and in good health.  Is she glad she did it?  DEFINITELY!

No grad here, but i asked my doctor this prior to suregy. i think on old people as thin an frail. My concern was if I eat less after surgery then what would I be like then. he said no need to compare the two 'cuz without I will not grow old anyway.