Hello everyone.

I am new here.

I am 20 years old and 5'1 and 255 lbs. I am thinking about getting the sleeve.

But I am TERRIFIED of the fact that the results for long term are unknown...What if in 20 years something happens with the sleeve that no one planned...

Help plz.

Thanks

Well, not sure if this is much of a help... But a few days after I joined this forum, I read a post where a lady said her mother had gone through a surgery very similar to VST (where they cut off a portion of the pouch) 19 YEARS AGO and that she was feeling well and had no issues. Now, VST is a pretty new procedure compared to others, so it is hard to find definite long term results researched and published.

All I had to convince me to take the plunge was the assurances from my surgeon (who is AWESOME!). I had no other option, because, I was at a point where the next 20 yrs of my life would have been a living hell with obesity related complications if I had not gotten sleeved.

So, at this point, I'm just going with the flow and hoping and praying that even after 20 yrs I feel good without any VST related complications.

Thank you, this helped!

Hello everyone.

I am new here.

I am 20 years old and 5'1 and 255 lbs. I am thinking about getting the sleeve.

But I am TERRIFIED of the fact that the results for long term are unknown...What if in 20 years something happens with the sleeve that no one planned...

Help plz.

You need to take care of yourself now and try to prevent any greater obesity and complications such as heart issues, diabetes, high blood pressure, etc. You are only 20 years old and weigh 255. If you don't make this decison now, you may not be around in 20 years.

85% of our stomach is cutoff when ou get sleeved. It's not like the lap band or some type of surgery where something is placed inside you. You need to get healthy now. You will feel so much better and healthier now, and not worry about 20 years out!

Ha, that might have been me, except for it was my greatgrandmother. She had stomach cancer. 20 years and going strong!

Your concern is very valid, and one I think of from time to time. But, I think I would rather have 20 years fully enjoying an active life at a more normal weight than living with the daily upset of being morbidly obese and hiding in the house for the next 20 years. My husband was so supportive of me during my pre-op time, and although he was scared, he did point out that we do not need a stomach to live. I think we will be okay, or at least we will be happier on our way out!

This surgery is new as far as weight loss surgery but gastrectomy (or stomach resection) has been around for ages. People with stomach cancer or tumors often have as much of their stomachs cut out or more than those with the sleeve.

Ha, that might have been me, except for it was my greatgrandmother. She had stomach cancer. 20 years and going strong!

That is so awesome!!

Keeping it simple, when I was speaking to my surgeon about much the same questions I had about long term effects, he told me to keep in mind that really all I was doing was reducing the size of my stomach! That made good sense to me.

I knew a man who had half of his stomach cut out when I was young. Eventually he died...at nearly 80 years old. He lived a full life. His doctor said he died of old age. Not stomach cancer.

This is a very valid concern. But like other people said I personally would rather live the next 20 years happy and healthy and feeling good about my body image then to live the next 20 years overweight and uncomfortable with myself.