Gastric Sleeve at Age 18

[ewinky 2]

Highest weight: 354 Lowest (2nd yr post-op): 188

My senior year of high school, I weighed my heaviest at 354 pounds (17 years old). I was on numerous meds for pre-diabetes, BP, PCOS, and my knees were in bad shape. I tried EVERY diet, meal plan, and exercise routine/programs to try to lose the weight. I was even put on diet pills at the age of 14, which made me feel like I was about to have a heart attack. I was at a yearly doctors appointment when they sent me to the ER because my blood pressure was at stroke level of 200/120 at the age of 17. That’s when she suggested gastric sleeve surgery.

I signed me and my mom up for the required first seminar to hear about my options and scheduled my first appointment with the most amazing surgeon I will ever meet. I had my surgery a few months later (July 2015).

Being so young, everyone was not really positive about this major surgery. But I did my research extensively and I took every class required, went to every specialist needed, got my PCP on board to ensure I knew what I was doing. This surgery was meant to be.

I LOST OVER 150 pounds my 1st year post-op!!!! Then was able to shed off about 10-15 pounds more the following year.

Coming into my 4th post-op year (2019), I am now in Pharmacy school pursuing my dreams. I have found my 3rd post-op year the hardest....I moved off to school, and I gained about 30 pounds. I’ve lost 8 pounds since Christmas but I just can’t seem to shed anymore.

I never reached my “Goal Weight” but I was within 10 pounds of it. But now I’m back in the 200’s club and I’m at a loss. I just want to be back in “One-derland”. And I’m struggling, I’m stressed which now for me means I can’t eat anything really which obviously hasn’t helped me shed a pound. Any tips or suggestions are welcome!! Being 22, I know I’m young but I still struggle with everything that is tied in with WLS life.

[GradyCat 3,693]

Thanks for sharing your story

[Jazzy1125 1,010]

Thanks for sharing. Maybe try doing a reset? I have heard of some folks doing that where they go back to the liquid stage and then slowly progress back through the food stages. I dont know the specifics or time frames for each stage on a reset since i am only 3 months post op.. Hope you are able to get back on track!

[Lolo 2020 236]

Congrats on ur successes, but I know it’s tough to be part way there . Every journey is a day by day step. Do u journal foods and portion sizes religiously ? Do you work out ? Do you drink your Water ? I know thebsteps work and that is what I do every day . Some weeks it’s slow and I have skip ups , but I forgive myself, journal the misses and resolve to do better the next day . Good luck, You can do it !

[Ed_NW 684]

I like to hear of young people that take charge and turn their lives around like you did at 18. I wasted a lot of years not looking into all of my options when it came to weight loss. Surgery is a drastic step and is not to be taken lightly but it is a valuable tool. Imagine where you might have been now if you hadn't had the surgery when you did. You might consider going back to your surgeons office and getting some tests done to rule out any problems with your new stomach and discuss a plan moving forward. Good luck and congratulations on your progress so far.

[Frustr8 7,886]

I always waited for someone else to give me permission, the person I should have asked was ME, didn't realize how incredibly STRONG I REALLY AM!

[New&Improved 1,780]

On 1/31/2019 at 5:04 PM, ewinky said:

Highest weight: 354 Lowest (2nd yr post-op): 188

My senior year of high school, I weighed my heaviest at 354 pounds (17 years old). I was on numerous meds for pre-diabetes, BP, PCOS, and my knees were in bad shape. I tried EVERY diet, meal plan, and exercise routine/programs to try to lose the weight. I was even put on diet pills at the age of 14, which made me feel like I was about to have a heart attack. I was at a yearly doctors appointment when they sent me to the ER because my blood pressure was at stroke level of 200/120 at the age of 17. That’s when she suggested gastric sleeve surgery.

I signed me and my mom up for the required first seminar to hear about my options and scheduled my first appointment with the most amazing surgeon I will ever meet. I had my surgery a few months later (July 2015).

Being so young, everyone was not really positive about this major surgery. But I did my research extensively and I took every class required, went to every specialist needed, got my PCP on board to ensure I knew what I was doing. This surgery was meant to be.

I LOST OVER 150 pounds my 1st year post-op!!!! Then was able to shed off about 10-15 pounds more the following year.

Coming into my 4th post-op year (2019), I am now in Pharmacy school pursuing my dreams. I have found my 3rd post-op year the hardest....I moved off to school, and I gained about 30 pounds. I’ve lost 8 pounds since Christmas but I just can’t seem to shed anymore.

I never reached my “Goal Weight” but I was within 10 pounds of it. But now I’m back in the 200’s club and I’m at a loss. I just want to be back in “One-derland”. And I’m struggling, I’m stressed which now for me means I can’t eat anything really which obviously hasn’t helped me shed a pound. Any tips or suggestions are welcome!! Being 22, I know I’m young but I still struggle with everything that is tied in with WLS life.

First of all you're a beautiful girl..

And congratulations on the 150lbs and to have the strength to do a surgery at 18; I'm going for RNY this year but I'll be 35; I wish I knew about this 10 years ago!

I'm at my highest weight right now of 320 back 6 years I got down to 200lbs and felt amazing everyone treated me different. Life was great but life also eventually put my back up to 300lbs and had some serious family issues lately back to 320lbs the past 12 months but stabilised that weight and finally got PHI sorted and started saving up I'm done being unhealthy and obese I've made the mental goal to get this surgery this year once my 12 months is up because I'm Australia our insurance just stipulates we have to be a member for 12 months minimum before they will help pay for surgery. I'll still end up with out of pocket maybe 5k but it's much better than 25k they quoted without insurance....

[Lolo 2020 236]

Mikeyy , first Celebrate your wins! Losing 150lbs is a huge victory ! I know it’s disappointing to have regained some and to have never reached ur goal . I think the “inspire” website has a plan to knock off lbs from regain , maybe try that ? Also try to get with a Nutritionist and /or therapist to try to understand why u are overeating . I just ordered a good book that was suggested called “we are WHY we eat”. In any case don’t beat yourself up (that never helps ) and wake up every day knowing that day is but one step on your journey . Try not to self medicate with food when stressed, personally I go do spin or yoga or sometimes I just go for a walk . Journal everything , good and bad that U eat or drink and try to figure out why you regained . Also don’t hold an unrealistic goal weight over yourself , some people are big boned and maybe that’s just not right for them . Let go of the judgement . Good luck and try to love yourself during this process

Edited February 5, 2019 by Lolo 2020