I'm 18 years old, and i'm in the process of getting ready to get my sleeve. My only worry is that since i'm so young, should I wait a few years, or go ahead and get it done? Basically my whole family is obese and I don't see anything changing anytime soon for me unless I get this surgery. Any experiences and opinions would be greatly appreciated

I was in the same boat as you. I am 19 years old and was sleeved on 1/26/11. I'm only 2 weeks out, but I can tell you right now that i'm so glad I had the sleeve.

I am the 5th person in my family to have WLS. First to have the sleeve- the rest had GB. The VSG is much safer for young people, as it doesn't take so many Vitamins and nutrients from your body. It's also safer because it doesn't reroute your intestines.

I am 14 days out and have lost 15 pounds! Getting approved and getting through the process was SO simple, and my surgeon was absolutely wonderful (he IS my uncle, but still ) After surgery, head hunger is the hardest thing. You think you want soda and fast food, but you're really not even hungry.

TOTALLY worth it. My high blood pressure and acid reflux are already on the mend- i'm off both medications!!!!!!! Woohoo!!!!

Good luck- if you want to talk more, add me as a friend and we'll chat!!

-Brielle

I'm 54, and believe me, if this had been available 30 years ago I would have jumped through hoops to get it. Don't suffer for years when you don't have to. Having surgery at your age means you will have an easier time adjusting to the restrictions and will be healthier for the whole rest of your life. I don't know how long that may be for me, but it will likely be a long and healthy life for you. Why put yourself through the yo-yo dieting roller coaster when you can fix the problem once and for all?

I was in the same boat as you. I am 19 years old and was sleeved on 1/26/11. I'm only 2 weeks out, but I can tell you right now that i'm so glad I had the sleeve.

I am the 5th person in my family to have WLS. First to have the sleeve- the rest had GB. The VSG is much safer for young people, as it doesn't take so many Vitamins and nutrients from your body. It's also safer because it doesn't reroute your intestines.

I am 14 days out and have lost 15 pounds! Getting approved and getting through the process was SO simple, and my surgeon was absolutely wonderful (he IS my uncle, but still ) After surgery, head hunger is the hardest thing. You think you want soda and fast food, but you're really not even hungry.

TOTALLY worth it. My high blood pressure and acid reflux are already on the mend- i'm off both medications!!!!!!! Woohoo!!!!

Good luck- if you want to talk more, add me as a friend and we'll chat!!

-Brielle

I'm so glad that there are other people that went through what I am going through so that I can talk to them. Thank you. Lol. And yeah i'm not really even considering GB, the sleeve is my best bet i think. And that's amazing that you've lost so much already. Only two weeks out. It gets me excited And it's also crazy that your uncle was your surgeon. Lol. You can be sure to have follow up with him. Haha And yeah i've heard about the fake hunger thing. The thing i'm most nervous about is the pain. And the nausea. That aspect of the surgery scares me...

I'm 54, and believe me, if this had been available 30 years ago I would have jumped through hoops to get it. Don't suffer for years when you don't have to. Having surgery at your age means you will have an easier time adjusting to the restrictions and will be healthier for the whole rest of your life. I don't know how long that may be for me, but it will likely be a long and healthy life for you. Why put yourself through the yo-yo dieting roller coaster when you can fix the problem once and for all?

Yeah that's what I think too. I'm with you. I've suffered enough already, and i'm only 18. Really the only thing that is holding me back now is my mom. At first, she was excited and really wanted me to have the surgery. But now that we've been going to meetings together and getting all of our information together, she is getting scared. I think i'm going to stick to my guns though. I think that after I have the sleeve done, and she sees the positive effects it has on my life, she will change her mind. And I know she will be there with me no matter what.

I'm twenty three and was sleeved on 12/20/10. OMG. This is the BEST decision I have ever made for ME!

I finally feel like I'm my age... I want to do things. I look forward to dressing cute...

I've lost 65 pounds so faR!

I'm twenty three and was sleeved on 12/20/10. OMG. This is the BEST decision I have ever made for ME!

I finally feel like I'm my age... I want to do things. I look forward to dressing cute...

I've lost 65 pounds so faR!

oh wow!!! see when i hear awesome success stories like that, it just makes me even more excited

"The thing i'm most nervous about is the pain. And the nausea. That aspect of the surgery scares me..."

The pain isn't as bad as the pain medication tastes. haha. I can't stand liquid medication, but maybe that's just me. I was up walking within 3 hours after my surgery. The worst pain I had was when I coughed. The anesthesia (sp?) and being intubated made me have congestion, and when I would cough it hurt. Still, the pain is not bad at all compared to the wonderful results from surgery. I've had kidney stones since I was 16, and its toughened me up for surgery, but I still don't think it's too bad. I quit taking my pain meds after the first 3 days.

The nausea-- I haven't really been nauseous. My pain medication made me a little nauseated, and I get nauseous when I drink too soon after eating, but that's it!

"The thing i'm most nervous about is the pain. And the nausea. That aspect of the surgery scares me..."

The pain isn't as bad as the pain medication tastes. haha. I can't stand liquid medication, but maybe that's just me. I was up walking within 3 hours after my surgery. The worst pain I had was when I coughed. The anesthesia (sp?) and being intubated made me have congestion, and when I would cough it hurt. Still, the pain is not bad at all compared to the wonderful results from surgery. I've had kidney stones since I was 16, and its toughened me up for surgery, but I still don't think it's too bad. I quit taking my pain meds after the first 3 days.

The nausea-- I haven't really been nauseous. My pain medication made me a little nauseated, and I get nauseous when I drink too soon after eating, but that's it!

Well that makes me feel better then. Liquid medications don't really bother me, so that'll be easy for me i think. And yeah, i bet it did hurt when you coughed. *ouch*. i've heard about that, the gas pains in ppls stomachs and chests, and then also when people do get nauseated and end up dry heaving right after surgery. that would suck. that's what's got me the most worried. but like you said, the results will far outweigh any difficulties in the beginning I'm super excited

I was terrified of throwing up and causing damage. I told the nurse, the surgeon, the anesthesiologist, and they all made sure I got meds to prevent nausea. Btw, narcotic pain meds always make me nauseous, and several people have said dehydration can make you nauseous, so no matter how hard it is, once you can start drinking, keep sipping constantly. Best of luck to you.

I was terrified of throwing up and causing damage. I told the nurse, the surgeon, the anesthesiologist, and they all made sure I got meds to prevent nausea. Btw, narcotic pain meds always make me nauseous, and several people have said dehydration can make you nauseous, so no matter how hard it is, once you can start drinking, keep sipping constantly. Best of luck to you.

Yeah that's what i'm most nervous about too I'll have to remember to tell everybody so that I get the meds and don't wake up feeling terrible. Thanks

I'm 29 and I can't tell you how much I regret not doing this sooner. I looked into it 4 or 5 years ago and got talked out of it by my hubby. My only hope is this surgery now and I try to imagine how awesome the rest of my life will be and how much more I'll be able to enjoy it.

I haven't had mine yet,but I'm well on my way and I'm 22. For the last two years, I have felt way older than I am. I have a two year old, and I have been unable to be as active as I would like. I can't even chase him at the park without needing a rest, and a two year old doesn't really understand that concept! lol. THis is the best decision I think I've ever made, even though I haven't gone through it yet. The possibility of being active enough to encourage my son to be active, and prevent obesity for him is well worth it. If you want to talk and some additional support on your journey, friend me.

My son is almost 22 and I'd love for him to be able to have VSG now!! My only concern with someone your age(s) is, if you hang out with a group that likes to party a lot (drink, smoke and get the munchies), or hang out in fast-food places a lot. THAT might make things tough but other than that, I think it's wonderful that you want to take control of your life NOW and insure yourself a better future all the way around!!

I'm 20 years old and my surgery is next week! I've been overweight my entire life and I am ready to take control! I weigh 270lbs right now.

i am 21, sleeved 1/31/11.

lost 35lbs

never looking back.