WLS (DS) in 20s?

[nacartwright]

Hi all,

My story is much like everyone else's....Ever since I remember I was a "bigger". I REALLY wish I paid more attention in health and nutrition. I digress.

Though the years I've been also hated to go to the gym for severe fear of people looking at the fatty on the treadmill - not to mention - I really don't want to break anything. I thought I'd get some gym equipment but it's expensive - especially for something I wouldn't break.

Anyway - here I am now...~350lbs 5'11 and miserable. Physically in pain 24/7, fatty liver, pre-hypertension, and did I mention miserable?

My friend had RNY several years ago and I swore I never would have that done. The dumping the complications....BLAH. No thanks. Though, I started reading about DS on "the other board" and something lit up.

I'm facing a couple different issues now...

First, I've never had surgery - so i'm obviously nervous about that.

Secondly, I KNOW this is not the easy way out. My lord, all the things I've read about maintenance with vitamins and supplements makes my head hurt...but I'm learning. Though, There is this little voice in the back of my head that says if I put the amount of focus in doing things w/o surgery I wouldn't be in this situation.

Third, I always contributed obesity with someone who "over eats" as in quantity. This isn't me (99% of the time there are occasions where I may finish a plate of food at a restaurant and after I eat it I KNOW i ate to much). Most days I only stop to eat because I need a break from work. I'm a horrible bad social eater. It seems that most of my friends, meetings with customers, family events , etc are focused around food. My other problem with food is I like good food. Keep that taco bell, burger king, big mac crap way from me. Deep fried food....no thanks.

I'm a bit of a subway junky but sometimes i just want something hot and my alternative might be a bit high calorie at times. I also like to cook - but cooking for 1 (I'm single - though my brother lives with me no so it helps)...my food also probably tends to be higher in calories - everything usually has bell peppers and onions....mmmmmm. Sorry, I'm getting off topic....long story short - i'm a foooodie like crazy.

Finally, my family will reluctantly support me. They'll be in the hospital and with me through recovery but they just do not support the idea of having surgery to do something "as simple as losing weight" as my overweight near diabetic dad says...

I know this has turned into a total ramble - but - has anyone had DS performed in their 20's? I can't help feel this sense of - for lack of better word - "failure" - being this young and in this condition.

Bottom line is I turn 27 in 2 months and I'm going to still be over 300lbs....and miserable. I will be damned if I'm going to let myself turn 30 and weight 10x's my age. No way in hell. I feel that the tool of DS to get me to where I need to be with nutrition and begin my weight loss. I want to be active - I want to run, play ball, etc...but I'm so damned tired and in pain all the time.

Does this ramble sound like anyone? Are these normal feelings of "failure"? I just see my current path of trying to diet, falling off the diet, and repeat - I'm going to be 30 and instead of vitamins though out the day I'll be checking blood sugars and sticking my self...

sorry for the ramble - I have not been getting much discussion out of my family or friends so I just threw the thoughts that were in my head here.

Thanks for reading and TIA for any input.

[Joanne]

I'm glad you came here and posted. I wish I had the DS as an option to me when I was your age. I had mine at age 46, and cant imagine how my life and health might have been different if I had done something earlier.

That being said, there are PLENTY of people your age, even some 9-10 years younger than you, that had the DS and are part of this community. There is no reason at all to feel like a failure. We've all been conditioned through a lifetime of failed diets that it's somehow our fault. There are many studies and articles out there that show that obesity is caused by a complex number of factors - and that it has a strong genetic component. Once you become obese, it is very, very unlikely that you can lose enough weight - and more importantly keep that weight off - without weight loss surgery.

Weight loss surgery is not a walk in the park - but in many ways it is an easier way out - not because it is a simple decision - but simply because it works.

Your feelings are normal.

Have you been to www.dsfacts.com? You should go there are read all you can.

Where are you located? Have you been to a seminar yet or chosen a surgeon?

[Joanne]

And to add - I myself am also a big foodie. For me, the benefits of the reduction of Gherlin from the sleeve portion of the surgery did wonders for me. For the first at least 6 months, I didn't experience any hunger or cravings. It was good for me because it really helped me to establish a routine to make sure I was balancing my nutritional needs, and seeing food for the first time as "fuel", not a treat.

That didn't last, but I enjoy food in a different way now. Since I have limited stomach room, I make sure that I only eat things I "love". I have no more mindless eating, no more eating something just because it's there. I prepare delicious food, and have a great time eating it. The only thing I count is protein, and the only thing I limit is carbs. You'd be amazed at how the DS malabsorption is forgiving as to what you eat, and how much power the metabolic effect really has.

[shann_ds]

I WISH I'd been able to have my DS in my 20s instead of almost 40. What a difference it would have made in my life and my self esteem if I had been able to take control then! Of course your family is scared for you because they love you but this is a decision that you have to make for you.

I still love food too but just in a different way. I can only eat small amounts so I choose small amounts of the best things possible! I also eat a little bit in a sitting and then come back for more a bit later. (I'm a Hobbit now!)

[nacartwright]

Thanks for your reply!

Yes, I've been to DSFacts over and over and over. I was talking to my before mentioned friend who had RNY about weight issues and her experience...and I said I was considering WLS...her words were simply..."DO IT". That was in June...so I've been reading, watching you tube vlogs, been on the other board and here ever since.

I'm in Indiana - I have a consult with the only surgeon in Indy that does DS and from what I hear she is absolutely phenomenal (Dr. Inman). I'm both excited and nervous to meet her...I've really never talked about my weight issues to anyone - let alone admit to myself I had them.

The last diet I did that I lost weight was one I kind of made myself...high protein and low carb. My God - I felt like I never stopped eating. I also got very sick of sweet stuff - protein bars and yogurt. Needless to say it didn't last. I am a consultant and I currently might work from home for a month and then on the road - as soon as I went on the road it all went to hell. I went from 365 to 342 and now i'm sitting at 350-355.

I've given up drinking my calories and for a while gave up bread...but...bread is my weakness and trying to get back into the no carb thing. Still...alas...355 I stand.

[songbird177]

I am 27 and looking to get the DS as well, and you sound a lot like me. Welcome aboard! My cousin had a rny and the family didn't like the idea so I haven't told anyone on that side yet. My other side seems supportive but othertimes hope I just get a band because it's 'safer' but i haven't told them all of the info I know yet. Good luck on your journey!

[bb212]

I got my DS when I was 35.

I wasted my 20's dieting and exercising (and doing it perfectly) thinking that being fat was somehow all my fault.

I thought I was a failure because doing things the "right way" to loose weight didn't make the weight budge more than a few trivial pounds, and that wasn't good enough because I had a minimum of 100lbs to loose. No matter how much I exercised (and I did so within an inch of exhaustion), or how little I consumed, the weight loss just didn't happen. Sadly I blamed, tortured and ridiculed myself because I didn't know what else to do.

Instead of looking for other options, I was torturing myself because I believed in the pathetic and outdated philosophy of "Calories in, calories out" model of weight loss even though my body was living proof that it just wasn't true.

Eventually I switched doctors, we were in agreement that my metabolism was not functioning normally. The problem is that there is no known treatment or cure for Metabolic Syndrome, PCOS and IR. But we tried different medications hoping something would stick- nothing did. I have type 2 in my family, if the weight didn't come of I knew very well what I was in for.

The only next step was the one of last resort: WLS.

Please don't waste your 20's doing what I did: waste time with an exercise in futility and blaming myself instead of looking into WLS.

I've gotten my surgery at the end of my fertility window, and now I'm VERY rushed to have children.

Time is precious, don't waste it. Get surgery!

[kingy]

I'm going to chime in as well and say I SOOOOO wish I'd had the DS in my 20's. I let so many opportunities in life slip through my fingers because of my weight and how it made me feel and how I let it limit myself. If you can do it in your 20's I say go for it, live longer, live happier, live life!!!!

[MontanaGirl]

Hello! Glad you looked into the DS! I am on my phone so I will keep it short. I am almost 2 wks post and I am 26 years old. I did my research and listened to the vets. I think you are on the right track and your story is very similar to most here. Guess what though!? You are doing this in your 20's, just imagine the heartache your saving yourself!
Keep us all posted!

[nacartwright]

You are all awesome!

I'm going to have to do a 6 month doctor supervised diet for insurance so it will at least be until this summer before I could have the surgery. Looking forward to my consult!

[supershae]

I'm glad that I read this because I see myself in a lot of what you posted. First of all, I am 22 and I had DS performed last Wednesday 12/27/11. I just got out of the hospital yesterday and am at home recovering. I can not tell you what the long term looks like, but short term I am happy with my decision and I believe that it is the best thing for me and becoming healthy. Like you, I am ~350 pounds and I had never had surgery before at all and was FREAKED out! It wasn't near as bad as I let myself believe it was. I am so glad that I did it and I'm so excited for my new life. I hope that you are finding support and that you are ready to make a change in your life

[abright0]

I wish I had been able to have the surgery earlier. I had mine 5 months ago - at 35. I hate that I missed out on so much. Be glad you can do something this early, and have a better quality of life for much longer.

[YeahItsCase]

I just had surgery on 12/7/11 and I am only 23 It was also my first surgery ever.

[vangy04]

I had mine when I was 24, at 5'6", 300 lbs. I'm 15.5 months out, and my current weight fluctuates between 145 and 150. The DS was my first surgery, and I went out of the country to have it done.

I would like to mention that although I ultimately chose to have surgery for health reasons, I did think being thin would make me happier. It does not. I am unhappy for the same reasons now that I was before the surgery and losing literally half of my former self. The feelings of inadequacy and failure are still there. Surgery will make you healthier, certainly, but not happier by any standards.

A friend of mine who is just a curious person in general is always asking me questions about the person I was before surgery, the surgery itself, how I've changed, etc. He asked me the other night if I ever regret having my surgery. The answer is a resounding no. I did have a brief sensation of "buyer's remorse" about a week after I returned from Brazil, but that passed in a few days and I haven't looked back since.

As long as you understand and accept the responsibility that you are taking on, there's no reason to second guess yourself because of your age.

Evangeline

[brybry76]

Hi,

I'm 28 and I had surgery on 12/16. I think one of the better parts of having it younger is that you will heal faster. Plus, why not free yourself from the diet cycle sooner rather than later. Once I found out about the DS, I knew immediately that it was the surgery for me. I also had to do 6 months doctor-supervised diet. My doctor told pretty much that if your BMI is above 45, then you will be automatically approved-- don't worry too much about losing a lot of weight. Best of luck and keep us posted!

[Sandra C.]

At one of our lectures given by my surgeons medical office, they advised to look up "Leptin".Its explained in more detail than I can go into here . The drug companies were recently testing a drug for weight loss to increase leptin. The trials failed because they found obese people were Leptin resistant. I had been waiting for this drug 5 years, advised by my endocrinologist back then all my weight problems would be solved by this drug. Now no drug- nothing left but surgery. In the lecture now, they advised it is genetic, its not our fault, it is a medical condition. Very few are educated about it. Society doesn't see it as a medical condition, but a lack of control of diet. I was hungry twice as often as my husband. Now, 4 months post surgery, I am rarely hungry, and can have protein packed foods any time. My nutritionist makes me eat more than I want to now. There's no point in waiting for the years to go by, get the surgery, be happy you can take charge of your health and make changes in your life, all for the better!!

[fullhousemom]

Check out z85sparty's blog on the OH site. She had her DS in her 20s and tells a wonderful story. I have not seen her here on this site.

I didnt realize there were so many of you who have had the DS at such a young age. Congrats! Most of us older folk wish we would have had it sooner. Its always nice to see a young group bond together, establish friendships, and pay it forward! Good luck to you!

[sarahanne]

I had my DS when I was 27, then the next day turned 28. Wish I did it earlier. I am a size 10, down from a 22 and I feel so much better after losing almost 150 lbs. The DS was also my first surgery and my family too was reluctantly supportive.

If you understand the implications of surgery - what can go wrong, what it might be to live with a DS after surgery when things are not optimum (my best friend has a DS and her life is not easy because of multiple food issues) and the vitamin regimen, I say go for it. At 350 lbs, i don't see you have many alternatives.

PM me if you would like to chat and or Skype. I am in the business of paying it forward

[babydoll]

I had my DS at 27. Best thing I ever did for myself!! Here I sit a few weeks away from turning 29 and for the most part feel fantastic!!! I am 27 weeks pregnant lol so feeling a little heavy in the mid section I have (before pregnancy) Lost from 300 lb to my lowest of 155 before becoming pregnant at just 10 months post op. I love my DS and do not regret a thing!!! I am so thankful that I was able to have it earlier as opposed to later in life.

[RedSkittles]

I was 20.

[nacartwright]

Again, Thanks all - this makes me feel better about my decision to finally "take the bull by the horns". Doesn't take away the nerves of having surgery - That's a few months off though...thanks to insurance requirements.

[switched4life]

All your fears are perfectly justified. Of course. Especially if you've never had surgery. But let me tell you that if you want to lose the weight, keep it off, and get your life back, embrace the DS. Research this procedure, find a good surgeon who does the DS, and see if this is a good fit for you.

Let me put this bluntly: it is probably your best option to regain health and find the way toward having the life you want for yourself.

Now, everyone's experience is different. But, for me, and for most of the people I personally know who have had the DS, it is, in fact, the "easy way." It is a million times easier than living with the minute-by-minute discomfort, shame, and fear that comes with being morbidly obese. It's actually better than that. It's a freaking miracle. For me, it was as if the surgeon waved a magic wand over my head and...poof...I became fit and healthy...and comfortable and active and good-looking.

It was NOT hard for me. The surgery itself was very scary before I had it. I was terrified. But I had a great surgeon and a wonderful hospital. Recovery was swift and painless and without complications. All the excess weight (150 lbs) melted away as if by itself. Over three years later, I eat normally, have no gas or bathroom issues, and don't even have surgical scars. If I indulge too much in some sugary things (like ice cream), I may...may...get some gas, but it is easily controllable and not usually a problem. I have some extra skin which is not especially attractive, but otherwise no problem and I will leave it alone. Maybe do the sagging turkey neck someday, but that's it. I'm much older than you, so my skin is not as elastic as yours. So the sooner you have the surgery, the less follow-up plastic surgery you will likely want or need.

I said I eat normally. That's true. I eat like a person who has always had a normal weight. The big difference is that I eat much less than I did before, and I am always aware that I have to get in all my protein for the day. After that, I maintain a general awareness of carbs and sugars, but don't bother counting those numbers the way I do protein.

The supplements are real easy. I take my calcium and iron and all the vitamins, especially monitoring D. So, several times a day I chew my calcium tabs (which taste pretty good, actually) and swallow some pills. It is an insignificant price for feeling so good.

I have my lab work done religiously and everything looks very good. My bone scan looks excellent.

If you can't manage your life to take in the protein, take the supplements, and get regular lab workups, then the DS is not for you. But, honestly, those are pretty simple, painless requirements, in exchange for which, you get a new life.

Some people have posted that the DS did not make them happier. Well, it has made me much, much happier. I was miserable and depressed before the DS, and it was because I was a prisoner in my own body. I was becoming anti-social and withdrawn and felt like life defeated me. All that is gone. On top of the bliss of feeling so good physically, I still get a thrill when I walk into a room of strangers and know that I'm not already being judged because of my appearance. I can buy a whole universe of clothes right off the rack, and they fit. And as an older father, I know I have a fighting chance to be around for a lot more of my six-and-a-half year old son's life than I had before. My wife is thrilled.

Your family members just don't understand that a morbidly obese person is not going to be able to take all the weight off and keep it off. Don't be angry with them; they don't know any better. It's not what we have been taught. Many people think WLS is a cop-out, that we should all have the "will power" and "character" to just lose the weight. Well, this surgery is the BEST way to do what has to be done and there's nothing to be ashamed of. And when the doubters see the results, they will understand.

Of course, some people have challenging experiences with this surgery. They have complications from the surgery itself, or with post-surgical issues. And some folks don't do the proper work of informing themselves about the post-surgery requirements, simple as they might be. So they have issues. And some people are just unlucky and have problems through no fault of their own. And you will probably have to be the one teaching health care professionals you deal with about the DS and your requirements.

You will find a higher concentration of people with post-DS issues on this fine and wonderfully supportive and educational forum because most people who have the DS become inactive with this type of thing and just go about living their lives. Most of the people who had surgery about the time I did, and who were active on the parent forum of this new one, dropped off a long time ago because their focus is on living life, not their DS. It becomes a tool, not life itself, for most of us.

Research and learn and don't fear the DS. A new and better life awaits.

Michael

[Joanne]

Jan 2, 2012 17:16:55 GMT -5 switched4life said:

All your fears are perfectly justified. Of course. Especially if you've never had surgery. But let me tell you that if you want to lose the weight, keep it off, and get your life back, embrace the DS. Research this procedure, find a good surgeon who does the DS, and see if this is a good fit for you.

Let me put this bluntly: it is probably your best option to regain health and find the way toward having the life you want for yourself.

Now, everyone's experience is different. But, for me, and for most of the people I personally know who have had the DS, it is, in fact, the "easy way." It is a million times easier than living with the minute-by-minute discomfort, shame, and fear that comes with being morbidly obese. It's actually better than that. It's a freaking miracle. For me, it was as if the surgeon waved a magic wand over my head and...poof...I became fit and healthy...and comfortable and active and good-looking.

It was NOT hard for me. The surgery itself was very scary before I had it. I was terrified. But I had a great surgeon and a wonderful hospital. Recovery was swift and painless and without complications. All the excess weight (150 lbs) melted away as if by itself. Over three years later, I eat normally, have no gas or bathroom issues, and don't even have surgical scars. If I indulge too much in some sugary things (like ice cream), I may...may...get some gas, but it is easily controllable and not usually a problem. I have some extra skin which is not especially attractive, but otherwise no problem and I will leave it alone. Maybe do the sagging turkey neck someday, but that's it. I'm much older than you, so my skin is not as elastic as yours. So the sooner you have the surgery, the less follow-up plastic surgery you will likely want or need.

I said I eat normally. That's true. I eat like a person who has always had a normal weight. The big difference is that I eat much less than I did before, and I am always aware that I have to get in all my protein for the day. After that, I maintain a general awareness of carbs and sugars, but don't bother counting those numbers the way I do protein.

The supplements are real easy. I take my calcium and iron and all the vitamins, especially monitoring D. So, several times a day I chew my calcium tabs (which taste pretty good, actually) and swallow some pills. It is an insignificant price for feeling so good.

I have my lab work done religiously and everything looks very good. My bone scan looks excellent.

If you can't manage your life to take in the protein, take the supplements, and get regular lab workups, then the DS is not for you. But, honestly, those are pretty simple, painless requirements, in exchange for which, you get a new life.

Some people have posted that the DS did not make them happier. Well, it has made me much, much happier. I was miserable and depressed before the DS, and it was because I was a prisoner in my own body. I was becoming anti-social and withdrawn and felt like life defeated me. All that is gone. On top of the bliss of feeling so good physically, I still get a thrill when I walk into a room of strangers and know that I'm not already being judged because of my appearance. I can buy a whole universe of clothes right off the rack, and they fit. And as an older father, I know I have a fighting chance to be around for a lot more of my six-and-a-half year old son's life than I had before. My wife is thrilled.

Your family members just don't understand that a morbidly obese person is not going to be able to take all the weight off and keep it off. Don't be angry with them; they don't know any better. It's not what we have been taught. Many people think WLS is a cop-out, that we should all have the "will power" and "character" to just lose the weight. Well, this surgery is the BEST way to do what has to be done and there's nothing to be ashamed of. And when the doubters see the results, they will understand.

Of course, some people have challenging experiences with this surgery. They have complications from the surgery itself, or with post-surgical issues. And some folks don't do the proper work of informing themselves about the post-surgery requirements, simple as they might be. So they have issues. And some people are just unlucky and have problems through no fault of their own. And you will probably have to be the one teaching health care professionals you deal with about the DS and your requirements.

You will find a higher concentration of people with post-DS issues on this fine and wonderfully supportive and educational forum because most people who have the DS become inactive with this type of thing and just go about living their lives. Most of the people who had surgery about the time I did, and who were active on the parent forum of this new one, dropped off a long time ago because their focus is on living life, not their DS. It becomes a tool, not life itself, for most of us.

Research and learn and don't fear the DS. A new and better life awaits.

Michael

I really enjoyed reading your post. Exalt!

[TooFatForTooLong]

I had VSG a few months ago at 43 years old. It was the first surgery I have ever had.

I wish I had the surgery 20 years ago! All the misery and obsession with food that I experienced over the last two decades could have been avoided - not to mention the health problems!

When I was in my 20s and 30s, I would have never considered having WLS - for a variety of reasons. In fact, from the first time I considered having surgery until my actual surgery date, there were less than three months!

I know I made the right decision and I do not regret it. I only wish I had made this decision much sooner.

[bearmom]

You are me almost 20 years ago, but the difference is, I DID spend the next 20 years fighting genetics and bad metabolism, thinking if I could just ...do...whaterver.....and I could take the weight off the "right way".

I'm sorry I subjected my body unnecessarily to all those years of obesity, and hope you find a solution much earlier.

[nacartwright]

What most everyone has mentioned above is what I am most afraid of - even more than having surgery or any complications of having the surgery...That is to turn 30 and have regrets that I am still obese.

I think personally the thing that is going to be the hardest is the waiting. TV is flooded with weight loss , exercise, and diet this and diet that. I can't help but feeling that if I would have only done this or that...I wouldn't have to do something so drastic. They make it sound so easy. Even when people are on shows like the biggest loser who lose half their body weight...it makes me feel like even more of a failure.

I've been pretty successful in every other aspect of my life...with the exception of my health. I want to feel physically like I feel on the inside. There are times to where I've done something awesome at work and I feel like I'm on top of the world...then I get to a mirror and I put my head down in shame...or even walk up stairs and I can't catch my breathe, heart is beating 100000x's faster than it should, hearing my knee's crack and ache...and that GOOD feeling of an accomplishment elsewhere in my life goes completely down the drain. I want to be healthy!

My not liking my appearance and feeling "fat" I believe has kept me from even bigger accomplishments in my career. It has even kept me from meeting that perfect someone.

I thank you all for your comments and sharing your experiences. I think I may have to print this thread out and read it every time I start feeling negative about having surgery to resolve my weight issues. Also the before and after photo's are inspiring as well!

Thanks again!!!!

[jillybean720]

I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at age 25. Yes, 25. I believe was about 280-290 pounds at the time.

I was in the OR for a DS at age 26.

I'm now 29 years old and 28 weeks pregnant with my first child. Even in maternity clothes, I wear "normal" sizes (no plus sizes). My diabetes is pretty much GONE. While I see others who are battling gestational diabetes while pregnant even having never had glucose metabolism issues previously, my fasting glucose values are presently consistently in the 70s.

I am SO thankful I did not wait longer. And I firmly believe my future babies will be thankful, too!

[larra]

I think what saddened me the most about your post is that your family thinks losing all that weight is "simple". Ha! Don't they understand that if it were simple, you and the millions of other people who are obese or MO would have slimmed down years ago? Don't they understand that our country has a billion dollar weight loss industry and we just keep getting fatter? No, they don't. People who have never experienced the struggle and failure just don't get it. We do.
The more we learn about the science of obesity, the more we realize how complex it really is, that people who become MO have metabolic abnormalities that prevent us from losing that weight and keeping it off. Even the issue of overeating - yes, we've all been there, but WHY. It isn't laziness or sloth, there are metabolic forces that tell us to eat, these are not conscious forces and they are extremely difficult to combat.
I think you're making a great decision to deal with your obesity now, before you suffer with the health problems and social issues any longer, before your joints are destroyed, before your metabolism becomes even worse. I think you'll feel more confident about your decision after you meet with Dr. Inman.

Larra

[baileymouse]

I had RNY at almost 38, and my DS revision at 44. I wish I'd had the DS in my 20s!

It's not simple to just lose weight. It's work, but it almost always finds its way back.
Before I got pregnant, I weight 180. At 5' 2.5", that was too much.

In Dec. 85, a couple of months after my son was born, I weighed 225. I joined Weight Watchers and lost 25, put it back on by the middle of 1986.
In 1988 I weighted 260, joined La Crosse Diet Clinic, lost 60 lbs and hundreds of dollars.
In 1990 I joined Lean Line. I weighed 270, lost 30 lbs to 240.
In 1992 I tried OptiFast. I weighed 275, lost to 240.
In 1996 I weighed 300. I lost over 100 lbs in a year with Atkins and put it all back on.
In 2000 I weighed 335, lost 40 lbs with Atkins again so I could fit into a bridesmaid's dress for a wedding. I regained.
In 2003, prior to RNY, I weighed 335. The day I saw the doc I weighed 328. At surgery I weighed 324.
I lost to 175 by 2005, regained to 221 by 2009, even though I was following a low-fat, low-calorie diet. Hell, I spent a lot of time back at Weight Watchers between 2005-2009.
Then I revised to the DS, not because of the weight, but because of other problems. Losing weight has been a bonus, but I am still not at goal. I have literally killed my already sluggish metabolism with years of this yo-y dieting.

I really, really wish I had been able to do this in my 20s!

[TooFatForTooLong]

Before my VSG, my doctor (primary care) told me that my life expectancy without the surgery was shorter than it would be after the surgery. I asked him if that included the risk during the surgery itself and he said it did.

What does your doctor recommend?

PS. Some doctors are ignorant about WLS and some are idiots. I am hoping that your doctor is neither.