Weight loss surgery at 23?

[MegzJ]

Hiya everyone :)

I've lurked on here for ages but have decided to take the plunge and join in the conversation!

To cut a long story short, I've always been a bigger girl, but like a lot of people I started to seriously pile on the weight at uni. Everyone always said that the weight would just fall off again once I started my teacher training and started working, but things have just got worse and worse.

After the last few months of lockdown, I find myself weighing 29 stone and truly feel like i'm at rock bottom with it.

I'm actually dreading the thought of going back into school to work full time carrying so much weight and I just don't know what to do. I know I need to lose the weight, but it seems so daunting.

Weight loss surgery isn't really something I ever thought of for myself, but with my family and friends suggesting I think about it, I'm starting to wonder if it's the best option for me.

I was just wondering if anyone had any thoughts/advice on surgery in general, but particularly around having it at a young age (I'm 24 in October)?

Thanks in advance and looking forward to joining in the conversations on here smile

Megan
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Hi OP. You’ll probably get lots of people saying that you can do it on your own without surgery. You’ll probably need to lose about 16 stone or so to be close to a healthy weight. It depends on you and whether you think that’s a possibility.

I am not an expert but normally if someone has reached a weight like 29 stone it’s because there is a really serious issue with food. It’s not a case of just having a bit of a sweet tooth and eating too many biscuits. From what I have read about obesity surgery, I believe that this is the only really realistic option when you’re talking about weight of this level. There will be the odd person who can do it on their own but for every person like that, there will be hundreds who can’t do it. Doctors who perform this surgery are adamant that it’s the only solution to very severe obesity.

Surgery is NOT an easy option though. You will not be able to eat like you did before ever again. There are risks (but they are lower than staying your weight). Also, the more weight you lose before surgery the lower the risks will be. If you’re unsure I would recommend that you try to lose 3 or 4 stone yourself and then see how you feel and see a surgeon if you want to. Either way, you will need to fundamentally change your eating habits.

The advantage you have is that you’re young and probably don’t have health problems yet. If you can get it sorted now you have the rest of your life ahead of you. If you leave it til you’re 40 you’re likely to have developed severe health problems by then.

Finally you need to think about the issue of loose skin and whether you may need further surgery to remove that and if so, how you will pay for it.

Good luck OP whatever you decide to do.

I'm guessing you need to lose around 18 stone to get to a healthy weight? I think that's going to be nigh on impossible to achieve without surgery and I'm sure your GP would be happy to refer you.

What kind of surgery?

I think all anybody focuses on is the end result of weight loss but you still need to drastically change how you eat following surgery and there are risks of complications.

Can you really imagine never being able to eat more than a few mouthfuls ever again? Could you cope with the horror of dumping syndrome? The loose skin from losing weight so fast? There will be the possibility of needing B12 injections every 12 weeks for for the rest of your life due to absorption issues.

I’ve known 3 people have surgery. 2 had bands (one private one NHS). Both failed after a while, one returned to at least their previous weight and the other is far bigger than before. The third had a bypass 18 months ago and is a shadow of her former self so no longer on statins, BP medication and her diabetes is reversed but she has a lot of loose skin and looks ill, she’s in better physical health than before though.

I think you need to do a lot of research, read a lot of accounts from people who have been through the surgery and seriously decide if you want to go down that route. It would defiantly be worth chatting to the dr to see what options are available to you.

The criteria for eligibility is here for surgery on the NHS.
www.nhs.uk/conditions/weight-loss-surgery/who-can-have-it/

I don’t think they would do a band on anyone who was 29 stone. It would need to be a bypass or sleeve, which have much higher rates of success. I agree with the need for research.

Hiya everyone,

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply - I really appreciate all the advice, a lot to think about!

You're right about it being longstanding issues with food. I've always been big - I was about 15-16 stone when I went to uni and about 22 stone by the time I graduated. The rest of it has been since then doing my teacher training then working. I guess a lot of it is down to freedom - not living at home anymore, so not having my mum watching what I eat, and consequently eating whatever I want. The last couple of years in particular are where it's really escalated.

I have done quite a bit of research on surgery, but think it's clear I do need to keep reading. Honestly, my preference would be for the band, but I get what's been said about that not being suitable considering what I weigh now.

Megan
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I thought they made you lose several stone before they agree to do the surgery?

OP would going to a detox centre be an option, to try to reset your eating patterns?

You'll get a lot of people who only know what they've read in the papers or 'my ten tonne life' programmes.

A few great groups on Facebook who will give you an accurate account of life post BS. You aren't too young. Unless you think you can make changes that are both sustainable and severe enough make you lose a lot of weight (which is the holy grail), then bariatric surgery or living with obesity are your choices. Both are valid. Both have their positive and negative effects.

The band seems a less scary option because it’s not permanent but relatively few surgeons do them these days and certainly not on very heavy patients. They have quite a high failure rate and can cause other complications. The sleeve and bypass are irreversible but have better success rate. And you want a permanent solution.

I second the recommendation to seek out advice from those who have had the procedure. There’s a lot of misinformation around about WLS.

Also agree about the age thing. Doing it younger means that you’re a better candidate for surgery than someone older. You don’t yet have diabetes or heart issues (but these are almost inevitable if you remain at your current weight).

Good luck with whatever you choose x

Thank you Shedtheload :)

You're right - the main reason I'm thinking about it now is while I still have my health with me. My health is actually quite good at the moment, considering my weight - obviously I'm not exactly about to run marathons or hit the gym five days a week though lol - so obviously I want to do something now before I do start to have problems.

You're very young and surgery isn't the easy route. You have to stick to it for life. And you can put weight on after if you're not careful.

I would try counselling and seeing a dietician first if possible. Once you've tried those, if it's what you want then go for it.

Just remember it's not a 'miracle surgery'. But, I've struggled with my eating habits since uni and know how difficult it can be. So go for it if you think it will make you happier.

A friend did it and lost 12 stone in 1 year, think she was just shy of 22 stone. She looks amazing and has kept it off for years. She didn't have too much loose skin as she did weight training at the same time so her arms and legs are fine and she plans a boob and stomach lift though
29 stone is v v heavy. I would suspect they will ask you to lose some weight before they agree to the surgery but given your age and the likelihood of success without it I think if I was you I would seriously consider it