Question:
I'm 23, how would I know if this surgery will not mess me up 20 years from now?
I want this surgery and went as far to get a Dr appt with a surgeon, but what I'm wondering is 20 years from now, would I have bad effects from this surgery? Also, how do you put in your mind that this 1 ounce food pouch is what I want to live with for the next 40 to 60 years left of my life. Can anyone help me and if you thought about this and still had the surgery. How do you know this surgery would help you that far in the future? Thanks and I appreciate your help and advice! — Jennifer W. (posted on January 18, 2002)
January 18, 2002
I'm 24 and have my surgery scheduled. I like you am concerned about the
future but my surgeon and others have assured me that with proper nutrition
and supplementing our prospects at a long happy healthy life are better
with surgery. Surgery is a life long commitment and the way I look at it
we've sustained bad eating habits for years we should be able to sustain
good eating habits for years with the help of surgery :) Good luck
— Laurie B.
January 18, 2002
They way I look at it is that my obesity has far greater effects than this
surgery could. I am 22, but my knees ache all the time, I have some
glucose intolerance that will probably turn into diabetes, back problems,
GERD, high cholesterol, and more than I care to think about. It's
ridiculous. I am always talking to my boyfriend's father about the
medications I am on- he takes many of the same kind, but he is over 50! I
can't imagine what toll this weight is going to take on my body unless I do
something soon. I don't want to be one of those people who has to have
surgery after I lose the weight because I destroyed my joints or something.
I did some studies, and it seems that people live out their lives fairly
well- I've seen some studies on people who are 5-20 years out, and they've
kept off about 85% of their weight with only minor problems like hernias or
gallbladders removed. I fear for the future too, but think of it this way-
the problems you could have from this surgery are way better than the
problems you will have from obesity.
— Jennifer Y.
January 18, 2002
I can't tell you what the implications of the surgery will be for you many
years down the road. What I can tell you is what not having the surgery
will do.
I am 42. If I had the surgery 20 years ago, I would not have developed Type
II diabetes, high blood pressure and sleep apnea. My top all time weight
would have been 240 instead of 340. I would not have gained and lost weight
so many times that my body is covered with stretch marks and my boobies
look like two deflated balloons. I would not have missed out on many job
opportunities due to prejudice against the obese. I would have a higher
self esteem because each day of my adult life would not have brought me
slights and rude comments from strangers and self loathing as I failed
another diet or looked in the mirror. I would have had the energy of a
person in my twenties and thirties during the past two decades instead of
feeling so old and tired. Good luck whatever you decide!
— Julie S.
January 18, 2002
Hi, I'm 20 and will be having DS shortly after my 21st birthday. Long term
deficiency has been one of my major worries, but the chest pains I have on
a pretty regular basis are much more frightening if you ask me. A big
reason I chose DS is because they don't remove anything but a portion of
the stomach, so they can lengthen the common channel or even put me back
the way I used to be if I am really desparate (unless I were to get so sick
I couldn't have revision). The 1 ounce food pouch also scared me away
because I don't want to have to eat puree 24 hours a day when I get
pregnant just to get enough food for the baby (you have a larger stomach,
not pouch, with DS). I don't mean to be a walking billboard for this
procedure because I think RNY has its strong points too (like being able to
have a proximal bypass, more surgeons who perform it..), I just thought I
might share how I resolved some of your same concerns being so young.
— [Anonymous]
January 18, 2002
In response to that last post, I thought I would say that the pouch
eventually stretches out to be around 8-15oz. It is a completely adequate
size, and women seem to have no problem getting enough food in for
pregnancy. Also, the RNY is reversable in an emergency as well.
— Jennifer Y.
January 18, 2002
Your concern for the future is a valid one and is part of the risk/benefit
tradeoff that each of us must consider when making the decision to have (or
not to have)WLS. My son just turned 22 and is 3 months post op from open
RNY. Even at his young age, he was beginning to experience health
problems, mobility problems, and severe quality of life problems. He was
afraid (and I shared his fear)that he would not live to see his 40th
birthday if he didn't have WLS. My advice to you is to be extremely
proactive in your post op nutrition regimens and in monitoring your
nutrient levels through regular lab work. Start supplementing all the
essential nutrients now and make this a lifelong habit ... even most
"normies" don't get enough vitamins and minerals because of poor
diet choices. Stay informed through support groups and online resources,
so that IF future issues arise, you can "head them off at the
pass". Go to the library on this site and read posts from longer term
post ops to benefit from their experiences. None of us can know exactly
what the future will hold for us regarding consequences of our WLS ... or
anything else for that matter. But with weight loss surgery, you will
significantly improve any co-morbidities that you already have and greatly
reduce your chances of developing others. For what it's worth ... when I
was your age, I was a "healthy fat girl". I had no health
problems other than the weight itself, and my activities, mobility and
quality of life were not severely limited by the weight. I am now in my
40's and my only regret is that I did not have this life saving and life
changing surgery sooner. Best of luck to you whatever you decide. You are
wise to ask questions and do your homework before making your decision ...
because it is an important one.
— Lynn T.
January 18, 2002
I am 44, and I've also thought about the long term effects 20 years from
now when I'm in my 60's. My concern is how older people, with normal
stomachs and intestines have so much trouble getting enough nutrients in,
what situation will I find myself in? But, in reality, I can't worry about
20 years from now. I have to live my life in the present, and I want
qualtiy to my life, not just quantity. Like others have posted, I have had
a life time of missed opportunities because of this weight I have carried
all these years. I'm lucky, in that I had no co-morbidities at the time of
my surgery (12/4/01), but I knew I was pressing my luck. Also keep in mind,
who knows what medical science will be able to do in 20 years. When I was
your age, this surgery was only a dream. As more and more people have this
surgery on a long term basis, I am confident that medical science will be
able to prevent/cure any long term effects. Live your life for
today...don't worry about 20 years from now!
— Cyndie K.
January 19, 2002
Hey Jen: My outlook on it is that most of us with all of our problems
related to our weight probably would not have had any quality of life at
60, much less LIVE to 60. This surgery is a chance that I took to enable
myself to live to be old......YEEEEE HAWWWWWWWWW !!!!!! Here we all
go....starting our NEW LIVES....Live it up girl!!! Let science figure out
how they are going to save our SKINNY BUTT at 70 or 80...
— Joi G.
January 19, 2002
I am only 10 months post-op, so I can't comment on the long-term results of
the RNY, but don't worry about your stomach being 1 oz. forever. It will
eventually stretch to where it will let you eat about 8 oz. in one sitting.
Also, many of the problems that we have with certain foods in the
beginning fade with time. For example, I used to have an impossible time
with breads, pastas, rice, etc. Actually, looking back, this was probably
a good thing, because it helped me take the weight off. But now, all these
things go down fine, in moderation.
— Terissa R.
January 19, 2002
i hope my answer quiets ur fears a little bit. i was worried too about the
future. i am 50...what will life be like for me at 70 if i have the
surgery. i attended a fobi support group before having any consults. i met
2 women who were 13 & 11 years post op. the lady who was 13 years post
op looked fantastic & said she felt wonderful. i believed her because
of how she looks. her husband was there & he had a complaint tho. he
wanted to know how to slow her down cause he couldnt keep up with her &
her energy level. the lady who was 11 years post had many many post surgery
complications & came very close to death. she too, looked wonderful
& claimed to feel great. of course, my question to her was, so u r
sorry u did it? her answer? i would do it all over again in a heartbeat,
even with the complications. i know these two ladies were a big factor in
making my decision to have wls.
— sheryl titone
January 19, 2002
I know of people (from my area) who know people who were very messed up
because of WLS. Most of those people are ones who had it years ago.
As you probally know, there are no guarantees with anything in life. I just
know I could'nt go on any longer without WLS. I was walking with a cane
(sometimes two) because my knees were giving out. Unfortunately I think it
is to late for them and I'll have to get them replaced anyway. But the WLS
has bought me some time. And I have some problems related to WLS, but
nothing to severe right now. As far as being afraid of what is down the
road 20 years from now, I won't go there. I know I had no other choice than
WLS, so I made the best decision I could at the time. And I try to take
care of myself now. Tomarrow will have to take care of itself. ;)
— Danmark
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