I am 20 and I start college in a few days. I turn 21 in July. Would you recommend this surgery for me? I am 5'2 weighing 230. I just want to know how some people as young as I am feel and felt after the surgery.

Edited January 5, 201412 yr by jenny20

Personally I do not recommend this surgery to anyone. That's a decision you make yourself.

I also think (and this will be unpopular, I'm sure) that if you have less than 100 pounds to lose you should look into other less extreme options. There are variables to that of course.

Edited January 5, 201412 yr by endless80

This surgery doesn't make you any more secure. You won't love yourself more. You won't become a rich famous model. You may actually hate the way you look and your new lifestyle afterwards.

The sleeve is a tool to use to become healthier. It's a tool to use to manage portions (of healthy choices) in hopes of losing weight.

If you're asking if you're big enough? Probably so. If you're old enough? Probably so. If you should have the surgery? None of us can answer that for you.

Being 50-70 pounds overweight can be hard on your body just as much as 100+. I had the surgery cause I had exhausted all avenues.. And as someone who is older than 50..the weight issue was getting worse as time went on. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep apnea. You need to assess where you are with your weight journey. And only you can make the right decision, along with a supportive family and doctor.

I'm 24 and I'm researching the surgery too. I'm 5'3" and the last time I was weighed( 2 days before Christmas) I was 238. I contacted a couple of weight loss clinics located in Mexico last week, and one of them mentioned that insurance may deny me for this surgery due to my age and "people my age don't usually have co morbidities associated with obesity".

Well, I do have one (high blood pressure ) but thankfully that's it. Anyways, I just said all that to say this-- don't let anyone make you feel bad for wanting to do something about your weight. Have you looked at potential surgeons yet? If not, attending a seminar is always a good first step. Check out your local hospitals that offer weight loss surgery and see when they have the seminars.

I agree with Carlotta1. My start weight was 235 in August, and I need to lose 100 pounds. I have multiple co-morbities including my spine is collapsing from the extra weight, and I have already had one stroke due to high blood pressure. I just had my sleeve on 12/23/2013, and am at 201.6 this morning. I do not regret it one bit. If you need it, you need it. Do a little research both in your area and Mexico. Good luck with whatever your journey brings, and keep in touch with us here at the forum.

I wish I would have done this when I only had 100 pounds to lose.

Yes that's my fear I don't want to wait until it's too late. I love myself don't get me wrong and I have tried every diet in the book and nothing has worked. Me having PCOS does not help either. I have thought about it a lot and I am thinking about getting the surgery done in the summer. I know it's a journey that I am willing to take. Does anybody have pictures who has gotten the surgery that would not mind sharing ?

Yes I am have attended a meeting about it and the results that I have seen made me want to go forward with the surgery more. Sometimes I feel overwhelmed with my weight and I don't want to wait so long and not enjoy myself while I'm in college because of my weight problems.

I had a friend who was pursuing gastric bypass during her senior year of college. But she didn't have a job and her mom was 100% against the surgery so I don't think she got the necessary funds for the doctors visits & other associated costs. How is your support system?

I had 82 pounds to lose. I am absolutely happy with my decision. I have a before and during pic in my gallery. :-)

Yes that's my fear I don't want to wait until it's too late. I love myself don't get me wrong and I have tried every diet in the book and nothing has worked. Me having PCOS does not help either. I have thought about it a lot and I am thinking about getting the surgery done in the summer. I know it's a journey that I am willing to take. Does anybody have pictures who has gotten the surgery that would not mind sharing ?

I agree and disagree with the above posters. I do recommend this surgery but only if you do your research and understand all the risks first. And I certainly feel more confident now that ive lost 48lbs. As for waiting until your older and fatter with more health problems? Um.. what? I wish I could turn back the clock and do this ten years ago BEFORE I got old, fatter and unhealthy. If you're informed, and you feel you've tried to loose weight unsuccessfully through other means then I say go for it. Barring any unforseen difficulties you are young and should bounce back easily. Hopefully this will set you up for a lifetime of good habits instead of a lifetime of yoyo dieting and unhealthy weight fluctuating. Best of luck to you

Thanks you guys so much. I will definitely stay in touch. I would love to hear more of your stories.

I had a friend who was pursuing gastric bypass during her senior year of college. But she didn't have a job and her mom was 100% against the surgery so I don't think she got the necessary funds for the doctors visits & other associated costs. How is your support system?

my support system is great. My cousin actually had the procedure done and loves it. She said she will walk with me through the whole procedure.

Yes that's my fear I don't want to wait until it's too late. I love myself don't get me wrong and I have tried every diet in the book and nothing has worked. Me having PCOS does not help either. I have thought about it a lot and I am thinking about getting the surgery done in the summer. I know it's a journey that I am willing to take. Does anybody have pictures who has gotten the surgery that would not mind sharing ?

11 weeks post op tomorrow 48.2 lbs lost total

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Yes that's my fear I don't want to wait until it's too late. I love myself don't get me wrong and I have tried every diet in the book and nothing has worked. Me having PCOS does not help either. I have thought about it a lot and I am thinking about getting the surgery done in the summer. I know it's a journey that I am willing to take. Does anybody have pictures who has gotten the surgery that would not mind sharing ?

11 weeks post op tomorrow 48.2 lbs lost total

you look GREAT