Newbie to WLS in my 20's!!
Hey everyone! I'm a newbie to this WLS & the OH family! I was just wondering if anyone could give me a little insight into why they chose to have WLS in their 20's and how has your experience been so far? Also, even with a high BMI, did you experience several if any co-morbidies? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated! Thanks so much! *hugs*
<3,
Tonya
Hi Tonya! My experience has been amazing. I actually have a life now. Before my surgery 22 months ago I was a lump of humaness... I did stuff, but was in pain all day long and had no friends. I didn't trust many people, I kept to myself and preferred to just stay home and be online.
With a BMI of 56 I had horrible joint issues.... I was also borderline on diabetes. My maternal uncle and paternal grandparents are all diabetic, so the chances were high for me to develop it also. Luckily, I didn't have to take any medications or anything... but I'm sure I had high blood pressure, sleep apnea and other obesity related issues.
Now, I've lost 190 pounds, I am loving life, loving the dating scene, enjoying school and experiencing everything I should have years ago! Clothes shopping is the highlight of my month :) I can shop at the Goodwill now he he.
Feel free to read my profile and check out my myspace :) myspace.com/silverspot
*~*Jaci*~*
The more things the change, the more they're still the same.
Hmm why I had WLS in my 20's because at the rate I was going I wasn't probably gonna make it to 30.
My heighest recorded weight (honestly I think I probably did get bigger) 402 lbs at 21.5 years old. It Put my BMI at like 60.something. I was free of any really bad co morbids, as my surgeon told me I was the healthiest fat person he's ever known. Especially at my weight. Only co-morbids I had was osteoarthritis(even though that was actually from sports the weight just made it worse and never allowed my knee to heal correctly), lower back pain..hmm wonder why, and a couple other little things. I was close to being diabetic, but not there yet. I knew my time was limited on that and it ran on both sides of the family. I also have PCOS which makes loosing weight even harder.
Well when looking into surgery two things were placed in my mind. I needed one that allowed me most normal post-op life style and lowest regain longterm, short term means nothing to me. Im young I have quite a life a head of me. So I took long term results as my starting point. Honestly I killed the idea of the lap bad right away because of results. I was not impressed with the RNY/gastric bypass's long term results. Then I stumbled on the DS and quite honestly never looked back. It offered everything I needed to keep a normal life. And a 98% CURE not remission rate for Diabetes, so I no longer have to worry. I have been lactose intolerant since birth, so the idea of supplementing protien is out of the question, as 99% of them are made with whey. Which whey protien is milk derived. Well I get sick at the smell of thoes protien bars or shakes. Drink or eat one I 
. Soy protiens also makes me ill, unless naturally in the food (such as nuts and such). I have to get my protiens from meat. Red meat in particular. The rest do not satisfy my body enough. Another thing that struck out the RNY.....most have problems with red meat. My frame, build, and muscle mass require alot of protien. And quite honestly I would not beable to eat or supplement enough in one day with the bypass to fill the needs of my body. (**note to all this is not a bash just my reasons for what I had done**).Most have to work to hit that 90 grams of protien a day. Well I don't function corrctly unless I get near 200 grams in a day.
Well I am now 2 years and 2 months post-op. And wouldn't change a thing! Im at goal and holding steady, minus the slight fluctuations from water weight/ body damage from my hernia. Nothing I can do about that till I get it fixed. And as a note my hernia was brought on by my own self.Ive gone from a size 30/32W top and bottom; to a size 10 jeans (Wrangler no less) and a size Large top (I got big shoulders nothing I can do). Do I eat...oh yes I do! I only take 2 mutli viatmins, 2 dry A&D, 2 Biotin (for my hair), and 1 B complex (by choice for my immune system). My labs are perfect, Im healthy , and happy.
But its up to you to spend the time to research what is best for you. If you have anything you would like to ask, im an open book.
. Soy protiens also makes me ill, unless naturally in the food (such as nuts and such). I have to get my protiens from meat. Red meat in particular. The rest do not satisfy my body enough. Another thing that struck out the RNY.....most have problems with red meat. My frame, build, and muscle mass require alot of protien. And quite honestly I would not beable to eat or supplement enough in one day with the bypass to fill the needs of my body. (**note to all this is not a bash just my reasons for what I had done**).Most have to work to hit that 90 grams of protien a day. Well I don't function corrctly unless I get near 200 grams in a day.
Well I am now 2 years and 2 months post-op. And wouldn't change a thing! Im at goal and holding steady, minus the slight fluctuations from water weight/ body damage from my hernia. Nothing I can do about that till I get it fixed. And as a note my hernia was brought on by my own self.Ive gone from a size 30/32W top and bottom; to a size 10 jeans (Wrangler no less) and a size Large top (I got big shoulders nothing I can do). Do I eat...oh yes I do! I only take 2 mutli viatmins, 2 dry A&D, 2 Biotin (for my hair), and 1 B complex (by choice for my immune system). My labs are perfect, Im healthy , and happy.
But its up to you to spend the time to research what is best for you. If you have anything you would like to ask, im an open book. DS Aug 15th,2005 @ goal, living life and loving it.
"An Arabian will take care of its owner as no other horse will, for it has not only been raised to physical perfection, but has been instilled with a spirit of loyalty unparalleled by that of any other breed."
(deactivated member)
on 10/12/07 12:10 am - MN
on 10/12/07 12:10 am - MN
I had my surgery in 2006 @ 28 years old and a BMI of 44. I had LAP BAND. I had no co-morbidities, but, like others, I knew I was on the track to dying soon without it. So, welcome!
All was going down for me! By 27, I was bouncing from 232 to 267 (at 253 my BMI was 42 or43)and coundn't breath if I bent over! I wish I would have had the option to have it in my teens or early 20's! Would have saved a lot of heart ache and low self-esteem!!! Holli
Highest~ 267/ Surgery~ 253/Current~133/ GOAL 130
August 31, 2006 ~ Gastric Bypass~December 19, 2008 ~Tuck with muscle repair~December 16, 2009 ~ Tummy Tuck revision (loosened skin as a result of stretch marks), Mons reduction, Mini Inner Thigh Lift, BL/BA to Full C from AA :)~December 18, 2013 ~ Butt Lift and brachioplasty~Completed by Dr. Wang-Ashraf at Artisan Plastic Surgery in Atlanta, Georgia.
"No day, but today", RENT...Johnathan Larson
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