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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

getting a gastric band at 20?

89 replies

amykg · 08/07/2022 16:15

hey all x

so I’ve never been a slim girl but I had my dd really young (i was 17). i’ve struggled really badly with my size since then and i’ve got really overweight.

i’ve tried all the usual stuff, slimming world, slim fast, calorie counting, but haven’t found anything where i can get the weight off and keep it off.

my parents sat me down last week and told me that for my 21st birthday present that they would give me the money to have the gastric band operation if i want to do it.

I’m obviously super grateful to them for the offer and i said yes because i want to be healthy and a good role model for my dd. but now i’ve had time to think i’m wondering whether its the right decision at my age because its such a massive life choice and whether i just need to try harder losing weight myself

am i being unreasonable having second thoughts about such an amazing offer?

OP posts:
snackleton · 08/07/2022 16:18

try Ozempic first, I believe it has a comparable success rate to a gastric sleeve (bands are a terrible option) and far fewer health complications. It’s about £150 a month on private prescription and so may also work out cheaper.

Stomacharmeleon · 08/07/2022 16:18

How overweight is overweight?

I think you are being sensible at your age to give it some real thought. It won't solve your issues with food. And you could have a whole raft of issues after.

Chilldonaldchill · 08/07/2022 16:21

I've seen other people have weight management surgery young and it can be life-changing. I would say the younger the better in many ways.
However gastric banding is unlikely to be the best option (it might be but there are various factors) so it's really important to speak to a bariatric surgeon first and get advice on which type of surgery will be best for you.
My experience is that the vast majority of people who have weight loss surgery are very very glad they did. I have seen a couple with regrets where it's gone wrong but to be honest that was in the early days when they was less support than there is now.
You need to take vitamins and minerals for life and have yearly blood tests - but for most people, the benefits way outweigh those annoyances (no pun intended!)

LaFeuilleMorte · 08/07/2022 16:21

You’re wise to think about it - you have a lot of life ahead of you in which you’d have to live with the limitations and side effects of surgery.

I can’t offer any experience but in your shoes I think I would explore every last alternative before going down that route.

Original poster
amykg · 08/07/2022 16:23

yeah sorry, i should have said surgery and not specifically the band. i’ve seen pros and cons of the different options but not dead set on having the band or anything else, it’d be whatever the surgeon would think is best for my situation

OP posts:
imagiantwitch · 08/07/2022 16:27

Please try ozempic first, it’s amazing.

zingally · 08/07/2022 16:30

I'd advise a lot more thought and research before saying yes. You are very, very young, and hopefully have a whole lot of life left, with which you'd have to live with the results of your surgery.

Personally, I'd give it another REALLY strong effort with the regular methods of weight loss, with medical supervision and everything, before considering the surgery route.

PeggyGa · 08/07/2022 16:31

Do it, I have done at 30. Wish I had done it at 20. Life changing. I am 2 year out from having it and maintained a weight loss of 7 stone. I was a binge eater and done alongside OA and therapy and my life has changed. No longer obsessed by food.

I went abroad to the guy who developed the bikini sleeve, he is amazing and have no regrets

PeggyGa · 08/07/2022 16:32

Instead I had 10 years of unhappy eating and hating myself I got so suicidal with how I looked

Peridot1 · 08/07/2022 16:33

Another recommendation for Ozempic. I’ve lost over two stone on it.

caraanna · 08/07/2022 16:36

I was similar to you, I'm 24 and haven't got children yet. Struggled with my weight all of my teenage years and into my 20's - topping at a size 24/26.
I tried all the usual diets.. keto, slimming world, calorie counting. My mindset wasn't right and nothing I did worked for longer than a couple of weeks.. I'd end up putting everything I had worked to loose back on, and MORE!

I decided enough was enough. I had pains in my knees where I was too heavy and my legs were achey.. my mood was terrible and I felt so so low. In feb this year I had the gastric sleeve, and I've NEVER been happier. I don't have any regrets at all. Not one!

The op isn't easy and certainly isn't the east way out, it's a tool that you're given to aid your weight loss. My whole mindset towards food had to change. I've lost 5.5 stone since feb 22nd 2022 and feel incredible! ❤️

caraanna · 08/07/2022 16:38

Should have added - I've gone from a size 24/26 to a 14-16 ❤️🥰

kewgirl · 08/07/2022 16:39

Just eat sensibly and do exercise for god's sake

Cashwhat · 08/07/2022 16:47

@kewgirl just be tolerant and mindful of other people's struggles for god's sake!

PeggyGa · 08/07/2022 16:49

@kewgirl have you ever had a serious weight problem

Poppyseed14 · 08/07/2022 16:49

I was also going to suggest Ozempic or Saxenda before you go the surgery route x

Original poster
amykg · 08/07/2022 16:53

i did try saxenda a few months ago but didn’t find it that good. i lost a bit of weight but have put most of it back on

OP posts:
anotherday11 · 08/07/2022 16:59

How much do you weigh/how tall are you @amykg ?

ohmygash · 08/07/2022 16:59

amykg · 08/07/2022 16:53

i did try saxenda a few months ago but didn’t find it that good. i lost a bit of weight but have put most of it back on

did you keep at it or just try it for a bit and give up? It takes will power, in the same way you’ll still need will power after gastric surgery. Neither are a magic fix

Original poster
amykg · 08/07/2022 17:02

i did it for 2 months but just felt i wasn’t getting much benefit from it for how much it cost

OP posts:
Original poster
amykg · 08/07/2022 17:05

anotherday11 · 08/07/2022 16:59

How much do you weigh/how tall are you @amykg ?

i’m 5ft 2 and about 20 stone

OP posts:
topdot · 08/07/2022 17:06

kewgirl · 08/07/2022 16:39

Just eat sensibly and do exercise for god's sake

Yeah it's definitely that easy. Thank goodness someone's come along to explain it.

Wexone · 08/07/2022 17:11

Mindset needs to be changed - you are not dieting you are changing your lifestyle for good. Healthy weight loss is slow, takes alot of time and you will have lows and highs. Please reach out for medical support and exhaust all options. Gastric band is huge surgery. Works for some and doesn't for others. Vanessa Feltz got it remember and it didn't work the 1st time, she ended up having more intense surgery. Could the money be used better on working with a personal trainer and therapy ?

snackleton · 08/07/2022 17:11

I would still try ozempic before surgery, it’s cheaper than saxenda, is only a weekly shot and in a few months there’s a higher dosage version that will be available in the UK (wegovy) that you can switch to if needed. But it should be thought of as a long term drug. I’ve given myself a goal of using it for 1 year minimum and then reassessing (I’m currently in month two).

haggan · 08/07/2022 17:13

imagiantwitch · 08/07/2022 16:27

Please try ozempic first, it’s amazing.

If you can ignore the cancer risk warnings Sad