Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Should Wls Be Performed At An Early Age?



Recommended Posts

Do you think that the WLS experience should be targeted and optimized for the obese in their 20s or 30s? Clinically, this age group may have fewer complications than those in their 50s, 60s and older. If WLS ever became socially acceptable and mainstream like getting glasses, do you think a person's age should have an impact on targeted WLS advocacy? In other words, should the health industry or government advocate addressing the obesity disease with WLS at an earlier age rather than an older age? Secondarily to the well being of an individual, it would save trillions in healthcare costs over time. In the future, I can see that either the obesity gene will be eliminated or government will mandate WLS to get healthcare costs under control.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Should Wls Be Performed At An Early Age?

Yes, that's why I got it at 62. :D

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had just turned 28 when I was sleeved and I wish I would of known about it sooner but oh well. I personally wouldn't want to experience a pregnancy after wls so I'm happy that I gave birth to 3 kids before getting it done. Sorry I didn't answer your question.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had just turned 28 when I was sleeved and I wish I would of known about it sooner but oh well. I personally wouldn't want to experience a pregnancy after wls so I'm happy that I gave birth to 3 kids before getting it done. Sorry I didn't answer your question.

That's alright. I mainly asked the question the get a discussion going.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am on the younger side- sleeved at 27... Although I considered bypass multiple times from 21 on. I wish the sleeve was an option back then! I think definitely it should be ok if you are 18 or older. I was a chubby kid since the day I was born... It only gets worse. But I have maintained for more than 7 months now and plan to continue to maintain!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm 31, I kinda wish I had done this 3 years ago, but I was scared an the stigma was really strong. I am SO excited to lose the weight and have more kids- I cannot wait to experience a "skinny" pregnancy (I was 280 w/my first)

I don't know if "targeted" is the right word, but I do think removing the stigma, so people don't suffer with reduced functionality for 20 years before they feel its socially acceptable to get the tools they need.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

See it all depends on the person. Although I have always been a bit more mature for my age (im 25) I personally don't think I would have been able to make it through this journey if I was say..21? I was still very mature for my age when I was 21 but I wouldn't have had the focus it required to do a pre op, full Fluid diet, excersise etc. I also think that those psychic evaluations and mandatory group meetings come in handy. I see some 40+ year olds on here posting things like "I'm 3 days post op and just ate a bag of Doritos. Do u think I will be ok"? And then some young people offering such great advice and inspiration!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I was sleeved at 33, i have been looking into WLS since my early 20s but never had insurance to cover it and couldn't afford to pay myself. I wish I could have been sleeved younger, and 70 to 100 lbs lighter.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

At the same time though I wish I had been suggested weight loss surgery earlier such as at the age of 21 when I was 220 lbs...I wouldn't have had that extra 60lbs to lose (I was 280 at my highest)... And the 4 years of suffering in that body

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am only 20 and got sleeved on the 22nd. I absolutely think that it should be encouraged at a younger age. I had heard about wls when I was 16, and I think when you are so young you're afraid to be judged by your peers. I am so happy to get this done early to enjoy the rest of my life being healthy :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Youngest one here.sleeved at 15 years and half about to turn 17.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

After someone is fully grown and capable of making their own decisions, then to each their own. However, children should not getting it, IMO. Their bodies are still growing and I do not believe anyone who cannot legally give their consent should be taking on such a decision.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I think it should be targeted to young people. I know when I was 23, I considered it but thought "I don't have any other health issues, I don't need it." and here I am, 9 years later, 150ish lbs heavier, and now have HTN as well. If I had a time machine, I'd go back and have it done when I thought about it way back then! If just one person would have suggested that being heavy was reason enough to take control and have surgery, I would have looked into it. But back then, even my overweight mom threw shade on me because she didn't think I needed to do anything that 'extreme'.

Mom's on my side now, tho. :)

Someone at my seminar said they were there because they saw a commercial for surgery on TV. I haven't seen any, but I thought that was a bit odd... I guess breaking the social stigma is a good thing, though. We shouldn't be ashamed if we're getting help for our problems!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am SO excited to lose the weight and have more kids- I cannot wait to experience a "skinny" pregnancy (I was 280 w/my first).

Me too!! :} I was 236 (w/a gain up to 309 due to pre-eclampsia) for my 1st & 244 (w/a gain to 294) for my 2nd. I have wanted another child for 10 years but wanted my body & life in order 1st. I wanna see a real bump instead up just more lump! ;}

weight.png 347*294/285/135 (*347HW/294SSW) | @Mwrarr | mwrarr.wordpress.com

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I have wanted to have a surgery for awhile but wanted to wait until I felt I matured more and left the college lifestyle. I had it done 2 weeks ago and am 26. I think it all depends where you are emotionally and mentally.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×