Too Young for WLS?

Hello Everybody,

My name is Jordan, and I am 23 years old.

I just recently went through the VSG surgery and everything was a success. I am feeling better, and following all the rules. I dont regret the VSG surgery, but I truly feel left out. I am a social type of guy, and I like to hang out a lot. I never realized how big a part food played in my life, and the life of my friends(who are normal sized) Everytime we hang out there is pizza/chips/soda/beer. Going out to restaurants and bars etc.. its so hard to be a normal young adult and live this VSG lifestyle. I am only 1 month out and I know things get better, but I can't even keep 3oz of chicken meat down without throwing it back up so ive stuck to yogurt and liquids.

Do you think I maybe did this too young? I mean im happy with the results, im down 100 pounds in 1 MONTH!! (I started off at 619) I dont get head hunger or much hunger at all, but i do miss the joy that eating brought to my life. Eating a whole bag of doritos. Or devouring pizza. I guess i dont miss the food, I guess i missed the joy it brought, and I need to find other things to fill it with

If you were over 600lb, no you didn't start too young - you might very well have not got any older!!! 

I really can appreciate how hard it must be to socialise right now but it will get easier. I am banded not sleeved, but in the end we eat fairly similar ways. If you met me now, you would not know from the way I eat that I have had surgery - you would think I had a small appetite which wouldn't surprise you because you would see a fairly small person! 

At the sort of weight you were, I think being socially uncomfortable now is a very small price to pay for the chance of a normal life. Just stick to it. It will be worth it. 

Edited to add: and if your "normal sized" friends keep on with the pizza, soda, beer as much as you imply, they won't be normal size by the time they hit 30! So the last laugh will be yours!

You can still hang out, of course.  Instead of pizza and chips, go for chicken wings with 6g of protein for each wing, or eat the toppings off of the pizza and leave the crust behind if you must.  Bring some iced tea to enjoy with the guys and acccept your role as the designated driver for the next year.  It's weird at first, but soon becomes second-nature, and it's really not that big of a deal.  DO stay away from the beer.  It creates nothing but trouble at this point.

First of all, congratulations on the life changing and life affirming choice to have WLS!  I bet with 100 pounds down, you feel AMAZING!

That being said, waiting would have only increased the co-morbidities of being morbidly obese (I say this as a former morbidly obese person myself).  

Have you ever seen the movie, "When Harry Met Sally?" Billy Crystal ("Harry") says: "When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with someone, you want the rest of your life to start RIGHT NOW!"  A very similar sentiment to weight loss surgery, in my mind.  Enjoy your new life.  Enjoy really LIVING.  I get so much joy over things that I let my love of food overshadow.  Kind of like an addict, WLS forces us to transfer our addiction to other things.  Never in my life would I have imagined that I am a runner.  But I am now!  I would rather exercise than eat.  Just something to think about.  I still eat.  But I get so much pleasure in so many more things.  

Hey Jordan, that's right, find other things to do. Not every one eats, you can order diet drink or have a coffee or small soup no potatoe or croutons though. Your not to young either. Plus three oz of chicken is to much, no wonder you barff. Pizza is evil and you know it. If you need a taste to remind you how not great it is just eat the topping not the crust. Buy a small bag of Doritos like what they give out at Halloween or sell at Subway, devour that size bag you will be so satisfied with your achievement. You should be showing off to your friends that eat ( the evil pizza and other junk)how little you really need to be fit and how smart you are to know this now. Be 23 be bold. 

Good luck Man

sincerely Lucy

Up until now your life has revolved around food but regular "normie" folksdon't look at life that way. They find comfort and enjoyment from other things in life, so you need to learn that too. It might even take some counceling to learn how to appreciate other awesome things in life, other than food.

It is so great that you are moving forward with your life and had the surgery. Don't look back, embrace what you did. If you are at a restaurant (know this doesn't works with bars) I find soup very safe to order. Unless you get the really creamy ones, it's fairly healthy and goes down without much trouble. Maybe consider therapy ... I've heard it said many times on here - they fixed your stomach not your head. You are going through big changes, it may help. Yes and that the 3 oz of chicken may be too much as crazy as that sounds. Cut it up small and chew well. Good Luck!

Hey, Jordan. I'm not getting the sleeve but I am getting the RNY.

I am only 18 years old.

I don't think there is a "too young" when trying to get your health back. Especially when you're 619 pounds. I think you did the right thing. 

Right now, you're only about a month out and all of your emotions are in whack. You're going to experience some thoughts of doubt and sadness, etc. but believe me when I say that you WON'T regret your decision in a year! This time next year, you'll be raising your hands to the skies thanking God that you did this for yourself!

I know right now is rough, but hang in there! You WILL get through the hardest part and you will be happy!

Good luck and keep us updated!(:

-MommyOfTaeya

Hey Jordan,

Good for you buddy!  Like others have said, at the weight you were, it wasn't too young.  Your quality of life is going to be so much better after this weight is off, it'll be totally worth it.  

When I was 23, I weighed 380 lbs, and I kept deluding myself:  "I'm still young, I could lose the weight if I REALLY wanted to, I'm enjoying food and life right now, I'll lose it later."  Well, 16 years later, I was down a little to 350 lbs, but couldn't go any lower.  I was diabetic, and fortunate that I didn't have any other problems.  I'm down over 50 lbs in just over a month, and the only thing I regret is not getting this done sooner.  When I think back over the last 16 years, and all the stuff I've missed out on, it's sad.  But, I know that I will be at a very good weight by the time summer gets here, and I'm already gearing up for the best summer that I've possibly ever had!  

Even though I wasn't as big as you, I really wish I would've had the wisdom to get this done back then.  You deserve the kudos.

Congratulations!! Yeah you were sooooo right to do this now. Obesity is the 2nd leading cause of preventable death in the US. You (and I) were going to be a statistic.

Too many social events revolve around food so change it... invite your pals to bowling or hiking or camping. Get a few pals to hit a new gym. Have some easy answers as to why you aren't eating what they are having...

"Dude I'm not eating that I'm trying to stay healthy"

"I ate before I got here."

"I'm cool for now"

Easy. If you want to eat out with them there will be lots of options (look online at menus first so it's an easy & no stress decision) 

Avoid the beer... its empty calories and really (trust one who has been there done that) no good decisions happen with beer or tequila goggles on LOL. Your friends will LOVE that you will be their designated driver, you will be very popular.

Sending you all the best, on the food thing talk with your Dr about the puking it should be getting better and feel free to check out my blog (link in signature) for some more food ideas.

~Michelle "Shelly"