A
female
age
26-29,
anonymous
writes:I'm 16 almost 17, I have always been overweight and at this time in my life I think I'm ready to move forward and start working to lose my weight. I'm in the 300s and I'd really love to lose this. I know people are going to say your young and whatnot and I understand but I'm considering everything based on how I am and what I think would make me a bit more happy. I've been thinking of getting gastric bypass or some other options as well, I've been researching for almost 2 years. I'm very informed on how it works and the pros and cons. I need an opinion about getting this or any other option you may have. The reason of me asking is because I'm worried about the years to come after the surgery if I ever do get it, I've researched and the many people I have found have gained back all there weight or have many complications
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female
reader, Sweet-thing  +, writes (7 September 2012):
 The reason people sometimes gain the weight back after they've had gastric bypass is because they never re-trained themselves how to eat properly, so old habits can take over again after the surgery and put you right back in the exact same situation. For this reason, a quick fix (like gastric bypass) may not be the best option. While I admit, having half your stomach removed or stapled shut does force you to eat less but the stomach can stretch over time and if you have bad habits and tend to over eat, the stomach will stretch out, to consume more food and viola, purpose defeated. I think you should seek a consultation with a trained dietician who can help you create a healthy meal plan. Couple that with a personal trainer (both cheaper than surgery). It may take you awhile but you will learn how to take control over bad eating habits and make better food choices. Plus you'll be able to strengthen your heart and lungs with the right kind of exercise to allow your muscles to begin to burn the fat, which will give you strength and muscles help burn fat. Yes it will take awhile but you will feel much better in the long run. The good thing is, you're young enough that either option should not pose a serious health risk to you at this point in your life but the longer you wait the more narrow that window becomes. I think you're on the right track to make this decision. Good luck.
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female
reader, anonymous, writes (6 September 2012): In I'd like to thank all of you for the information and advise you've given me, I'm not stupid I know what I'm doing and I know what I want. I am not going to get gastric bypass and yes I know it is a last resort, I decided that a few months ago only because I want to do it the natural way and be a bit more proud of myself because I did it myself and without a tool. I do not judge who gets it or how old they may be, it's there desion. I am not addicted to food, it is not my friend. I don't eat until the end of the day most days which leads me to want more then I want
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reader, So_Very_Confused +, writes (6 September 2012):
 Person12345 said: “A gastric bypass is VERY serious surgery and should be a last resort if nothing else is working”
She is 100% correct. It’s not magic nor is it easy nor is it the first try. It’s the very last resort…. That’s why at 16/17 I think you are too young.
Person12345 said: “You need to adopt a diet before you go into surgery or you are going to become very, very sick.”
A proper Bariatric practice will have the plans in place and you will likely need SIX MONTHS of regular monthly visits working with them while dieting and exercising and losing weight as well as seeing a counselor before you can get it done. My insurance approved me right away but my surgeon would NOT do the surgery till I completed the preliminary work of diet, exercise and counseling… the PRE-OP work is more important than the surgery it lays the foundation.
If your doctor’s practice is not a CENTER of EXCELLENCE go elsewhere… there is a Blue Cross Blue Shield requirement that all Bariatric surgeons that are approved be a “Center of Excellence” they need to meet stringent criteria that includes, counseling and other issues that need to be addressed to make this work… going with a surgeon that’s fast easy and cheap is not my recommendation at all…
Person12345 said: “She lost some of the weight permanently (but is still overweight),” and she probably always will be.
I am. My doctor is very pleased.. in fact ALL my doctors are pleased… I’m a touch overweight but that’s expected with people that have been SMO for a long time… my surgeon wants my BMI between 25 and 30 to be honest.. he says under 25 is too thin for someone who’s been SMO… the goal here is HEALTH and being 10% overweight is healthy compared to where we were before surgery… so saying she’s still overweight is not a finger point at the failure of HER or the surgery.. it’s a statement of fact of what is expected.
Person12345 said: “She throws up all the time because she ate just a tiny bit too much and feels sick all the time. She has continuous heartburn and just does not feel well.”
And what does her surgeon say… If I eat too much I feel crummy but that’s the point of the surgery. If she is eating past the point of full and feeling sick then she has NOT controlled her addictions… I know that my eating more than I should will make me sick… and like a good behavior modification program I don’t eat myself silly any more… I eat what I want and know that later on I can have more…
IF she has heartburn all the time and does not feel well she needs to talk to her doctor… most of the time most of us feel GREAT and I speak for MANY men and women I know with WLS RNY, Sleeve or DS… the only folks I know who are miserable are the band folks…
Person12345 said: ” The hardest part for almost everyone I talk to is learning what a good portion is. It's way way way smaller than what you think it is. At first cutting my intake was very hard. I ate a ton of pickles and chewed a lot of sugar-free gum and felt hungry a lot. But gradually I was able to cut more and more out and now can easily stay within a reasonable intake.
Agreed… portions in the USA are huge and way out of proportion. My fiancé and I go out and order 1 appetizer and 1 entrée and I nibble off his plate… that’s more than enough for both of us and he has not had the surgery…. The issue is that eating pickles and chewing gum works for folks who are breaking bad habits but addictions are not being addressed. I don’t know about you but I could eat 3 or 4 jars of pickles before surgery in one fell swoop… no problem… now 3 or 4 small sugar free bread and butter pickles are enough… but if you are still putting stuff in your mouth to chew or feed the addiction you are NOT DEALING with the problem.
I use single serving size portions. I spend the extra money… I’m worth it. Portion distortion is a huge issue here… The other day I bought a huge bag of nuts and I stood with a measuring cup and my snack sized bags portioning out single serving sizes of them… now I can just grab a bag and go… very nice.
Person12345 said: “You should not go all out and slash junk food and start eating tiny salads and going running right at first.”
AMEN! She is so right… you need to cut back a little bit… and walk a little bit… like 5 minutes on day one-7 and then add time… the Couch to 5k program is great once you get medical clearance.
Person12345 said: “I'm not saying you're too young to be thinking about this, I'm saying you're too young to not try everything else first.”
In this I disagree. I DO think you are too young to have this surgery now. The rest she is spot on
Have you tried weight watchers?
Do you know what a portion size is
Do you move at all? Dance? Exercise? WALK?
Surgery is a good thing for many but it IS a LAST RESORT.. by the time I got here I knew if I screwed this up (and you can totally screw this up) I was sunk…. I refuse to screw this up. As such... what i eat, and what I do is forefront in my mind daily.
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reader, person12345 +, writes (6 September 2012):
 You haven't elaborated much on this, but I think you need to put in more of an effort to diet and exercise first. A gastric bypass is VERY serious surgery and should be a last resort if nothing else is working. You need to adopt a diet before you go into surgery or you are going to become very, very sick.
A close relative of mine had it done. She had been struggling with diets for 10 years and just couldn't do it. She regrets having the surgery a lot. She lost some of the weight permanently (but is still overweight), but she is miserable every single day. She throws up all the time because she ate just a tiny bit too much and feels sick all the time. She has continuous heartburn and just does not feel well.
Dieting is hard at first, but it gets easier once you get the hang of it. The hardest part for almost everyone I talk to is learning what a good portion is. It's way way way smaller than what you think it is. At first cutting my intake was very hard. I ate a ton of pickles and chewed a lot of sugar-free gum and felt hungry a lot. But gradually I was able to cut more and more out and now can easily stay within a reasonable intake.
You should not go all out and slash junk food and start eating tiny salads and going running right at first. You will probably burn out and fail. You need to gradually start to adopt a healthy lifestyle. Rather than thinking of it as a diet, think of it as a lifestyle change. The habits you adopt should become your every day permanent habits. Start slow. Try to eat smaller portions. Buy portion controlled items to start with so you can get a sense of what a good size lunch is. Buy little 100 calorie snack bags. Cut soda out entirely or switch to diet. Juices are LOADED with sugar, they're just as bad as soda so stay away from most juices too. Start doing little exercises, like taking the stairs, parking farther away, and otherwise doing smaller things at first. Also get all the junk food way out of sight. It's so easy to see a bag of chips nearby and think "Oh just one or two won't hurt" and then wind up eating the whole thing.
The most important thing though is that if you don't have the habits before the surgery, you won't have them after and you will only be in a lot of pain and feel bad for failing. You're so young to be giving up so soon. I'm not saying you're too young to be thinking about this, I'm saying you're too young to not try everything else first.
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reader, So_Very_Confused +, writes (6 September 2012):
Cerberus Darling I love you to death and you often have very good advice… in this case you are so far off the mark it’s not funny.
IF I had been able to keep the weight off without RNY I would have. LOSING weight is not the problem… KEEPING it off is… WLS gives us a tool to work with… YOU have your tools we have ours.
What makes you think I could have just “restricted my intake” if it didn’t work for 49 years of my life why does it work now after WLS? Do you think I didn’t spend my entire adult life trying to figure out a way to do this without WLS?
My internist wanted me to have WLS YEARS before I was ready… she suggested it over and over and I kept saying “I’ll do it myself” yeah that worked real well didn’t it?
I do maintain a good balanced diet. My life is NOT restrictive. I work to exercise when I can and if I did not have back issues I am sure I would be exercising a great deal more.
FWIW, I eat what I like. I have a tool that helps me curb my appetite easily now… but without my tool I have a 16 cup stomach that wants FOOD FOOD and MORE FOOD… and if you say it’s just a matter of saying NO… well then say no to sex. Say no to breathing.. say no to peeing… it’s not as simple as you would like it to be so you can be so high and mighty with your JUST DO IT…
YOU are young… it will catch up with you I promise. Keep doing what you are doing…
I am going out to dinner tonight with the WLS girls… FUN will be have, no restriction will be had other than I don’t drink when I drive… and many of these women abstain on principle… but I eat what I want when I want. I can easily get over 2000 calories a day and more than enough protein.. it’s really the first year or two that are overly restrictive and that’s to help you learn good habits… those are very very hard to do…
BEAUTY… you think this is about BEAUTY? It’s not about beauty.. it’s about HEALTH…
You eat for pleasure but you rarely give food that much thought… YOU have NO clue my friend what those of us with food addictions struggle with….
On smoking.. I never have to smoke. I don’t. NO big deal
I never have to drink… since I can control it I do drink occasionally… on those rare occasions when it’s gotten out of control over the years.. I just stop drinking all together… sometimes for years… again NO big deal.
YOU CAN’T STOP EATING ALL TOGETHER. But in the beginning when all you can do is drink 1 oz at a time… the limits help you learn not to care.
Now that I can eat and drink what I want… you’d better believe I think about food…. Food is pleasure… and for those that can go without thinking about it I salute them.
But don’t say “just do it” if you have not walked in our shoes.
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reader, anonymous, writes (6 September 2012): I really don't mean any offence by saying that, I know that people just mentally feel they can't, all I'm saying is none of it makes any sense at all to me. I'll never understand how someone can want to change something about themselves that they know is possible to do but they somehow have a mental block about doing. I'll just never get that and in my opinion gastric bypass sounds horrible.
OP I seriously advise you to not do it for all the reasons the ladies before me stated and also for the fact that you may end up with a job or take up a sport that requires you to eat a lot of calories, you may decide in the future that you want to build and tone your body or become athletic and you won't be able to because you have to eat more when you want to improve your body physically.
You're basically talking about living the rest of your life obsessed with food and severely limiting what you can do with your life.
I respect the struggle the ladies before me have now trying to remain healthy after their surgery, but beauty is not worth that kind of struggle to me, I'd rather remain as free as I am to eat and do whatever I like and not add another group of very severe restrictions to my, and you're only a teenager, you haven't even really begun to explore the world yet, or party, or go mad at festivals or go travelling and you're talking about making food such a huge focus in you life for the rest of your life? I eat for pleasure, I eat to sustain myself and I rarely give food that much thought.
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reader, anonymous, writes (6 September 2012): "It is NOT easy, though most people who haven't had it done believe it's the easy way out."
Then why do it then? haha, if you can lose weight with it then you can lose weight without it, by doing the exact same thing it does and restricting your intake of food.
If it's much harder and costs more, is far more dangerous, far more restrictive on your life than just maintaining a good balanced diet and exercise then why do it?
I'd rather be obese than have to live the life of a monk, so restricted in what I eat and have to carefully manage my diet the rest of my life.
I don't even have to do that now to any great degree, I can eat what I like, I can curb my appetite easily, I get a great buzz from exercise, which has made me fitter stronger and exceptionally lean and I can have weeks and even months of pigging out and drinking alcohol and not gain much weight back because I work out and can lose it all again the space of a another couple of months if it goes back up.
I don't understand how people struggle with weight at all, eat less, exercise more, bob's your uncle.
So in that way it is the easy way out, because you want to be forced to live that way instead of just doing it before hand.
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reader, So_Very_Confused +, writes (6 September 2012):
oh and I meant to add that ANY good program requires you be psychologically vetted to have the surgery. I did not pass. I have food addictions and i had to work long and hard with the special Barriatric social worker to get approval.
and I STILL battle food addictions and issues. and I always will...
most of us who are SMO have addictive personalities... and food is our drug of choice... there is a problem in the WLS community with alcoholism... if you can't feed your addiction with food you can with alcohol....
make sure that you are properly vetted and treated for your psychological addictions as well.... they will require long term ongoing help.
I monitor my alcohol intake very carefully.... besides one drink and I'm plastered now.
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reader, anonymous, writes (6 September 2012): I had RNY in March 2009.... I was 31. almost 4 years later, I would do it again. Would I say it is the right decision for everyone? hell, no.You need to do more than research - one thing you need to do beforehand is commit to at least a 6 month diet. That is usually mandated by your insurance and/or surgeon. This is typically done with either a nutritionalist or your primary care doctor. You also need to start taking a multivitamin, calcium tablet each day - just to be "prepared" for what you will deal with for the rest of your life.If you find yourself struggling in that six months, don't give up - pick yourself up and start over. When you can get through the six months, you will find you either have lost the weight you thought you needed surgery for, or have proven to yourself AND everyone else, that you are "adult" and prepared for the surgery, you will be ready...
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reader, anonymous, writes (6 September 2012): If your doctor considers GBS an option for you, and if you have totally "done your homework" in understanding the implications of what GBS truly is, then it will be a medical intervention to make your life healthier, body mind & soul.
I am 55 years old. I had GBS at age 51. If laporascopic GBS was available when I first became my heaviest (about age 30) I would have done it.
I am sure you will be told the "problems" with the first year...the nausea and other belly issues as you learn to eat again. It is a learning process and nobody can give you a clear blueprint of how to do it "right". Stay with your doctor's recommendations and join a few solid friendly online support groups. If you are bashed with a simple question, move on to another support group.
Weight regain happens (statistically, 10-30% of total loss). But this time you can get a handle on it and not gain at the same rate as before. Since you will be feeling better generally, you will WANT to move, whether at a gym or walking around the block.
You have a huge commitment of maintaining a LIFETIME relationship with a knowledgeable doctor who has experience working with bariatric surgery patients. You cannot go without regular (annual, at least) bloodwork to make sure you do not have any malabsorption issues.
TAKE YOUR VITAMINS AND PROTEIN SUPPLEMENTS! After a year you can get your protein from food.
Good luck on your journey. And don't give up. ((hugs))
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reader, anonymous, writes (6 September 2012): I had gastric bypass done when I was 29. It's been 3 years and it's still the best decision I've ever made. I've lost and kept off almost 200 lbs. My only regret is not doing it sooner.
My best advice is to make sure you're fully prepared. It is NOT easy, though most people who haven't had it done believe it's the easy way out. That couldn't be further from the truth. I make the decision every day, at every meal, to eat right. If I don't, I can and will gain weight. It's a lifetime commitment that you have to be sure you can undertake. It's an emotional, physical, and financial journey unlike anything I've ever experienced.
Good luck to you!
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reader, anonymous, writes (6 September 2012): It really is a question for your doctor and you to decide but I have a retorical question for you..Are you under control of your food addictions? If you suddenly (after surgery) can not eat any sugar, starches, beef, chicken, pork...those sorts of things happen after surgery and last your whole life. You mention you're ready to address it now..you need to be ready to address a permanent way of living and eating and you have 50-70 years that THAT will effect you..Many times after surgery people go back to their old way of eating and gain a substancial amount back..If your self worth is tied to your weight, you will feel even worse..I'm 6 years out from RNY surgery and it's a daily struggle to stay on task; take my vitamins; keep doing what I'm suppose to do for THE REST OF MY LIFE..Good luck to you..I hope you decide for your health to lose as much as you can and get healthy.
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reader, anonymous, writes (6 September 2012): OP this isn't a decision or discussion you should have with online strangers, this is something you need to discuss with your doctor.
OP gastric bands have a very high failure rate, not just medically but in terms losing weight and keeping it off.
All it does is limit the amount of calories you put into your body by making your stomach smaller. It doesn't mean you'll be healthier or eat healthier, it doesn't mean you'll lose weight and keep it off because if you can't do it now then a gastric band isn't your solution. If you have a medical condition OP that makes it hard for you to lose weight then the calorific limiting can just fuck up your body instead and you know it's incredibly difficult for people whit gastric bands to eat healthy but also enjoy their food. If you have a gastric band and eat a slice of cake then you have to a few hours before you can eat again, and all you have eaten in terms of nutrition then is a bunch of fat and sugar. If you decide to have a burger later that day all you get is protein and fat. The point is you still have to eat right, you still have to exercise but the gastric band means you're very restricted to practically only eating right or you'll get severe deficiencies in your diet.
OP I'll never understand why people go for gastric bands, to me they're just weak willed and lazy.
Just limit your own calorie intake, just exercise more it's not rocket science, in fact in the two years you've been researching this, you could very easily down to a more satisfactory weight than you are now if you'd done something as simple as decided to go running for 30 mins 3 times a week and limited your junk food intake to only on the weekends.
You wouldn't even need to be here.
OP go speak to a doctor about your best options here. It's the not band I can tell you that and if you don't have the willpower to lose it without the band the weight will just always come back.
I was pretty fat 3 year ago, now I'm ripped. How? Only ate junk food the weekends and worked out 3-4 times a week and still work out once or twice a week. That's it. I can eat anything I want, when I want, I just have to have smaller amounts, and drink lots of water with meals to fill my stomach so I'm not hungry, if I get hungry for a snack I grab a bunch of nuts and drink a glass of water. It's easy as hell to do it just takes time and effort.
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reader, So_Very_Confused +, writes (6 September 2012):
I am speaking as someone who will be celebrating my third anniversary of RNY on September 22nd. I was 49 when I had the surgery. I’m not going to say YES to you to have it… I’m going to tell you that there are other options other than RNY.
You say you have researched gastric bypass I assume you mean RNY. There is also VS and DS as well as LAPBAND. Out of all of them I would say that DS is the best followed by VS and then RNY. I know that doctors say that RNY is the “gold standard” of WLS but I think that there are issues to think of as a young person. By calling it gastric bypass and not RNY I wonder if you have considered the DS or VS?
For me, had I found a GOOD DS surgeon (and they are hard to come by) I would have done that even with all the side effects. Gas, bloating, diarrhea…
1. You can’t EVER have NSAIDS… not topically (no rubs with NSAIDS) not IV (I had an RNY friend who got 3 ulcers from an IV of NSAIDS.. and NEVER orally. IT limits you on pain meds. NO asprin EVER…nothing but Tylenol or narcotics for pain. IF I had known how much I would miss my ibuprofen I would have searched high and low for a doctor to do the Duodenal Switch. I personally think that’s a GREAT surgery if you must have malabsorption.
2. What about pregnancy and breastfeeding later on… both are hard enough if you have not had WLS… every woman I know who has had it and gotten pregnant (save one) has had problems. One friend almost instantaneously got her diabetes back for the duration of the pregnancy… one friend required massive iron transfusions to this day and her baby is 6. Your absorption of calories will return to normal in about 2 ½ years but your absorption of vitamins and minerals is forever compromised and at a YOUNG age (child bearing and still growing) I think it’s something to seriously consider. I’m not sure that WLS for women that PLAN to have children is a wise move…. They tell you that after two years it’s ok… and most of the time it is… but I’ve seen issues. My friend who just had a baby… had issues so often she was deemed high risk… and then she could not get enough calories in to create enough breast milk to feed her baby so the baby had to be on formula… it killed her… she cried for WEEKS… (not that this does not happen to NON-WLS patients but it’s more common in WLS patients)
3. ANY WLS is a TOOL… nothing more nothing less. YOU HAVE to follow the RULES. IF YOU DON’T follow the RULES you will regain. I know many who have gained it all back. The rule for the doctors that deem it a success is that after 50 years you have maintained FIFTY PERCENT of your loss…. NOT 100% (which BTW they only expect you to lose about 80% of your excess weight not 100%)…
My story:
I was very thin as a child and as such developed lousy eating habits as they tried to “fatten me up” worked too well.. at 5”2” the morning of surgery I was down to 256. You will have to lose weight before you have the surgery… any good doctor makes it mandatory. You must show that you know how to follow the rules. All the surgery does it make it EASIER to do what you have to do.
WLS of any type is no cake walk… the ONLY people I know who have done well are the ones that follow the rules all the time FOREVER and EVER… so NOT human nature to do it… and yes you can do more with the surgery than without but it does make it easier… why?
Because if you overeat you puke. IN PUBLIC. (BTDT) or you have to stop the car and get out and in a party dress and heels puke on the side of the road (BTDT too)
I got down to 150 pounds and I had to have plastic reconstructive surgery.. that was the WORST surgery ever. Over a year later and I still have pain and numbness… I’d do it again but I’m just saying it was worse than any pain I’ve ever had including having metal screwed into my broken bones…
I cannot take NSAIDS or steroids because of the surgery I developed a perforated ulcer 6 weeks after my tummy tuck and had to have emergency surgery. I’ve had an ulcer since then… BOTH ulcers are a DIRECT result of the RNY…. I dobut at 17 I could have handled the necessary regimes for fixing these ulcers or even getting to the weight I am at.
It’s not a brilliant fix. It’s a TOOL… YOU still have to do the work FOREVER… it just makes it easier.
There are daily issues… do I get enough protein (80-100 g minimum) how’s my iron (as a non-menstruating woman I’m still watching my ferratin levels drop to a point that I’m worried) I take IRON supplements daily and it’s not helping. Are you up for taking vitamins every two hours all day EVERY DAY FOREVER? You can’t miss them. You will DIE or have permanent damage if you miss your vitamins.
Have you picked the surgery you want?
What are your criteria for a surgeon?
Will your parents issurance cover any of it? What about copays… even with AWESOME insurance I still paid out a couple of grand in copays and fees…
Also you need about 80 dollars A MONTH for LIFE for vitamins and supplements… are you prepared for that?
Bottom line from me honey: Yes I think WLS is a GREAT tool BUT NOT for growing teens.
Please PM me and let’s take this off the board so we can talk in private and I can give you more info and advice.
ARE you getting ANY exercise?
What are you eating habits like now?
What are you health issues now? You must have major health issues in order to qualify for WLS not just be obese…
BTW I was 256 the morning of surgery, my lowest after my perforated ulcer was 135 which was a bit low… I’m now about 15 pounds more than I want to be because I have gained 25 pounds over a year…. Because I’m not following all the rules……
and why am I not? because the doctors told me to stop following the rules so I could GAIN some weight... now I can't get back on track... and I can't exercise due to physical problems....
you need to be walking or other exercise 30 minutes a day minimum every day my internist says it should be like a second job to exercise.
you need to be giving up carbonated beverages as you can't have them after surgery at least for a year or two.... and never drink your calories except for protein shakes....
you need to be taking your supplements (esp iron, calcium and D for young women) but not at the same time... so you need to learn to space your supplements out...
you need to be getting a decent amount of caffeine free calorie free fluids daily... is your pee pale yellow to clear? does it have an odor? no? then good.
I think WLS in the right hands with the RIGHT mindset and a GREAT doctor is a good plan for ADULTS.
I DO NOT think that TEENS should do it.
I DO NOT think that a younger person should have RNY due to the inability to take NSAIDS....
what do you think of the duodenal switch or the vertical sleeve?
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reader, anonymous, writes (6 September 2012): No, bad idea.
You are young enough to lose the weight on your own. You just have to want it. There are no quick fixes, no "diets" that work... you just have to want to be healthy and to lose the weight bad enough to change your mind set, eating habits and lifestyle in general.
It's really not that hard to do, it's just hard to make the changes.
For one, stay away from fast food restaurants entirely. It will save you money and you will be surprised after a month you don't crave it anymore and watch the weight fall off. Second, watch how much you are eating...make sure you eat all day, just make better choices....skip the chip and eat lots of veggies. If the portion is bigger than the palm of your hand, you are eating too much. Go for seconds with fruits and veggies, not more potatoes or roast beef. Don't give up everything you love to eat, you will only fail...try staying strict during the week and have more of the things you like on the weekend, but in moderation...don't eat six pieces of pizza, just a few, have some ice cream, but just a small bowl, not a xlarge hot fudge sunday. You get the idea...take control over what you are putting in your mouth, don't eat out of emotion, eat because you need it to survive.
And start exercising....do the things you enjoy, don't torture yourself. Start by getting out and walking, start swimming, join a gym if you think you would like that...you need to get your body moving every single day. The first couple weeks are rough, but if you keep at it, you will find your energy level change dramatically and you won't be tired anymore...eventually you will feel bad if you miss a day of exercise!
There is a lot you can do and it won't cost you any money at all to do it. You can find an hour a day at least to work on yourself. No excuses..there are none...just get up and get started...tomorrow. Start tomorrow...if you want it you can have it...you can do it!!!
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reader, ktmae +, writes (6 September 2012):
 ive been exactly where you are.ive been heavy all my life.if you lose that weight that quick you will have alot of extra skin when its over.my advice would be to find a buddy to do this with or even mom and dad . I will tell you just by taking soda out you will start losing . Eat what you want just in way smaller portions try cutting out as much sugar as possible . Start slow like walking around the block once in the evenings . Once you see that you are losing it will be more insintive to keep going and you can add more to your plan as you go.set a realistic goal like 5/7 pds a month only weigh on the day you plan if you lose more cool if not keep trying it will get easier . Thing is once you lose it try to keep it off its harder the second time around. To me its kinda like a recovering addict going back down the same road and trying to come back out again.food is my drug of choice .its hard but you can do it . Surgery isnt the way to go to many chances that arent worth it . Good luck
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reader, anonymous, writes (6 September 2012): Modern food industry makes you fat. People don't realize how it happens but those who makes money on us being obese are pros.Its not only food that we buy , it's the medication that we buy after we get sick from that food.Being at one point over $250 lb, I realized one day that i will live my very short life, missing out on all the fun thing, and being sick most of it, I went to look for professional help. I came across some alternative nutritionist who made a plan for me how go eat.The first things I need had 3 conditions: nothing is packaged ( so I didn't need to read labels and count calories) whole foods only. Nothing that is white color( I was still allowed to eat bread). And no soda drink whatsoever. From then I drank only coffee in a morning with brown sugar, and water the rest of the day.First week I droped an amazing 12 lb.next week 8. My metabolism seemed like it came back to life. I wasn't hungry at all, I ate as much as I wanted, I just made my food myself. Next step was a little challenging: I had to say no to all products made with flour. That ment breads of all kinds, crackers, pasta. That was hard. I discovered grains like buck weat, quinoa, brown rice, all kinds of beans.That was a little tough, but I was determined.I was also discouraged from eating meat, all kinds of meat. I m not a big meat eater as it is, so I replaces with fish, it was ok.To make the long story short, a year later I was a beatifull 137 lb, still am 12 years later. Surgery is not a solution but adapting a healthy life style is. Don't let food industry people tell you what to eat and how to feel, make your choice, it's either you and your life or them with their enormous profits that they make with poisoning our bodies.
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reader, Honeypie +, writes (6 September 2012):
 At your age? My advice would be no. You are young, with the right help/tools you can do this without surgery.
First off You need to go see your doctor. Get checked for any issue that might make it harder for you to lose weight, such a diabetes (even that can be managed).
Secondly, you need to get a personal trainer who can help you reach your goals. I know they aren't cheap, but it's worth the cost.
Thirdly, you need to learn about proper nutrition and eating habits. About serving sizes. About good carbs and bad, about calories and activity level.
Many people gain back the wight, that is true. Also with gastric bypass the weight comes off so fast that you end up with a LOT of extra loose skin, which means you might have to get plastic surgery up top of it. And every time you go under, there is a chance you won't wake back up. So it should NEVER be taken lightly.
I gained 50 lbs after I had knee surgery and with a lot of effort those 50 lbs were gone in less then 6 months. (at age 24) so if I could do it with LIMITED mobility, you can do it too.
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reader, Battista +, writes (6 September 2012):
I vote no!
You have already been offered some brilliant advice here, and I haven't got much to add to it. I would say, however, that both people I know who have had a gastric band have put nearly all the weight back on a few years later. They haven't changed their lifestyles except for what they absolutely had to do, and as a result the effects of the surgery have not been longlasting.
On the other hand, I know two people who were very overweight, and both were warned by their doctors that they needed to lose weight because it was damaging their health. Both have made important lifestyle decisions- changed their eating habits, increased their exercise- and I don't mean hitting the gym 7 days a week, I mean walking more, dancing, hula-hooping, rollerblading, etc- and they have not only got their health back but have also kept all the weight off and look great. They lead healthy lifestyles and look great.
I would vote every time for NOT opting for surgery and instead being pro-active with losing the weight non-surgically. Don't try and do it quickly, do it gradually, make small changes that you can stick to, and I promise you will see excellent and sustainable results. You will feel much better for it, and get fit in the process.
Good luck! And keep us posted!
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reader, TrancedRhythmEar  +, writes (6 September 2012):
 hey doll. get ur diet in check. u can get the surgery but if u maintain the lifestyle u have u will put the weight back on. Getting and maintaining a stellar physique is about lifestyle changes and adaptation, not just a surgery. cover all your bases here with fitness, food, and attitude. good luck.
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reader, BondGirl72 +, writes (6 September 2012):
 Also, I used to weigh 205, I now weigh 158. I still exercise when I can, only if it is just using my handweights here at home. You can do it...you just have to make up your mind that that is what you want. The thing that changed me the most was that I could not go to the store and buy all the cute clothes my friends were buying. That's when I decided I wanted a change.
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reader, BondGirl72 +, writes (6 September 2012):
My mom wanted to get this surgery and my response was that if you don't have the will power now, how is getting surgery going to help you? You are still not going to have the will power.
I was overweight all through high school. I weighed 205 at my highest weight and wore a size 22. I got sick and tired of being heavy, so I started buying fitness magazines and watching shows like Oprah on tv that would inspire me. When I got home from school, I went for a walk or bike ride instead of sitting around eating chips like my friends. I bought some 5 lb handweights to use in my bedroom. When I was out of college and got a job, I start working out at their fitness center (your school may have one). Since I was an employee, I could use it for free. Now I am a size 10.
I eat very litte bread and sweets. If I have a sandwich, I take one piece of the bun off. I eat only the sweets I absolutely love. Trust me, I know all heavy people do not sit around and eat junk food, but I also know that my body does not allow me to eat much junk food at all. You have to pick and choose what you eat and be very mindfull of it. It was hard for me in high school because all of my friends would eat whatever they wanted. I couldn't. But, the difference now is...they are overweight and I am not. Most people I know today do not even know I was overweight at one time.
It is a lot of work...even to this day. Thin people (in my mind I am still heavy most of the time) do not realize that I cannot go out and order fries at McDonald's and eat the whole order. I may have 10-12 fries then save my calories for something I really love or crave.
I know you didn't ask for all of this advice, but gastric bypass will REQUIRE you to change your diet. I would like to challenge you to find the willpower to lose the weight without altering your body organs.
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reader, k_c100 +, writes (6 September 2012):
 You are exactly right in your last comment - many people have the surgery, lose the weight, but end up putting it all back on. Surgery is not a quick fix, nor is it a guarantee that you are going to stay slim forever. It is also incredibly dangerous surgery, the surgery itself often goes well but afterwards the risk of infection and other complications are very high, and at your weight these will often be fatal.
So you are basically presenting yourself with this option if you have surgery - gaining all the weight back, and perhaps dying from fatal complications from the surgery. And what are the Pro's? You MIGHT lose weight (but will probably put it back on)? Is that really worth the risk of dying?
I honestly think that no matter how old you are, getting a gastric band or any other kind of weight loss surgery is a very bad idea. It is never going to give you the outcome you want, so many people see it as the magic solution and are so disappointed afterwards.
Have a look on this website for inspiration - http://www.slimmercharlie.co.uk/#/about-charlie/4535749828
Charlie is an incredible man, and shows you how it is possible to lose huge amounts of weight without surgery. At his heaviest he weighed more than 700 pounds, yet he has lost it all and is now under 200 pounds (about 182 pounds now). He has run marathons and everything!
What have you tried to lose weight? And dont tell me you have tried 'everything' - that is the oldest excuse in the book for someone trying to lose weight. I'm no slim jim either, I would like to lose about 20 pounds, I have tried many diets (weight watchers, slimming world, other random fad diets) and guess what I have found works? Exercising almost daily, and calorie counting. It is not rocket science, it is what people have done for years to lose weight.
All you need to do is keep a diary of the food you eat, setting yourself a daily limit for calories and sticking to it. An average woman should eat 2000 calories, but if you are over 300lbs then you could probably afford to set yourself a limit of somewhere between 2000 and 2500 per day and you will see results. Everything you eat and drink must be included (all drinks have calories apart from water, so they all count!).
Exercise should start of slow and gentle at first, try walking for half an hour every day but walk fast enough so you are out of breath. Eventually that will get easy and you can try jogging. The best way to lose weight (and most trainers will tell you this) is to run, if you run a 5k distance 3-4 times a week then you will find it easier to lose the weight if your diet is good. Understandably running at first isnt going to be an option, so walk first and build up to running. Walking and running is free, you dont need any money for it and you can do it all year round.
If you do have some money and you would prefer someone motivating you, look at getting a personal trainer. They will be able to devise a programme for you to help build your fitness.
Exercise will also go someway to stopping your skin getting so saggy. If you lose a lot of weight, which you need to do, then you are going to end up with loose skin. However exercise helps keep the skin elastic and prevents some sagging. Weight loss surgery means you cant exercise for a long time due to healing time, so while you will be loosing weight your skin will be sagging rapidly, leaving you with what is often described as a worse body than when you were bigger. Many people say this, that once they have lost the weight they are unhappier than when they were big because of the loose skin.
But you thankfully have age on your side, your skin is firmer and more elastic at your age than if you left it until you were older.
There is no easy way to lose weight, and surgery definitely is not the easy option. I honestly think there are just too many risks to having surgery, when you can do it yourself without spending any money at all. Yes it is hard to motivate yourself, but if you really want to lose the weight then you will be able to push yourself. If you cant push yourself to diet and exercise, then you are not going to be able to push yourself to keep to the strict diet after surgery and you will end up putting the weight back on.
Give weight loss a try the natural way first - eat less and exercise more. Make healthy choices every day with your food, you dont need to starve yourself and there is plenty of low calorie food you can eat that is tasty!
I dont know if you can get this book in the US but this is what I have been using recently - http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Hairy-Dieters-Love-Weight/dp/0297869051
I have lost 6lbs so far, the food is delicious and you dont feel like you are on a diet at all! All this book requires you do is calorie count, it is very simple and all I have done to lose weight is keep my food diary, have low calorie breakfasts and lunches, then one of the dinners from this book. It really has been as easy as that!
I really think that surgery should be your final resort, when you have nothing else to try. Give a healthy lifestyle a try first, search about for some inspiration (the biggest loser is good for that - some people on that show are 400lbs or more and still lose the weight through exercise and diet alone!). If you stick to a limit of 2000-2500 calories per day and exercise every day I promise the weight will come off, you just have to stick to it. No more junk food, no more fizzy drinks, no more sweets - just healthy choices and determination. If after a month you have one takeaway, then thats fine, you can have a treat every now and then. But it cannot be once a week, or a couple of times a week - treats have to be very rare!
I hope this helps and good luck!
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reader, AuntyEm +, writes (6 September 2012):
 It is true that many people who have gastric bypass/band surgery do put back the weight and sometimes more.
The reason usually is because they have not dealt with the emotional issues that underlie the reason that they eat so much. People think gastric surgery is a miracle cure but it isn't...however...
If you have a good physician/psychologist who will help you work through the issues related to food and give you guidance and coping mechanisms, this combined with gastric surgery can help you lose weight and keep it off.
Weightloss isn't rocket science...you just have to burn up more calories than you consume and you will lose weight.
It's all the emotional psychological factors that keep people fat and deter them from exercising. Food becomes a comfort and people just get bigger and bigger.
You also live in a country that actively encourages gluttony and over consumption and people literally let go of their personal responsibility for a healthy lifestyle.
Even at 17, although young, you can be in total control of what passes your lips and you are old enough to make healthy choices.
If you are considering surgery, make sure there is psychological support available at the same time and pull back some of the responsibility for your own health...
I really wish you success
xxx
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reader, anonymous, writes (6 September 2012): I've struggled with my weight all my life. I don't think I've ever been happy with the way that I look (at least until recently) and I'm 37. I know a lot of people who are in the same position. I looked into surgery and I've treated people who have had surgery of various sorts. What I've learnt is that it's down to you to lose the weight. Regardless of whether you've had your stomach banded, surgically shrunken or even your jaws wired together, there are always ways to cheat. I think you need to identify what it is that's making you unhappy and deal with that problem before you undertake any drastic treatment. Any professional surgeon will insist on you taking these steps before he touches a scapel. It's only now that I've come to accept myself that I actually feel better within myself. I don't feel the need to comfort eat. I don't own a set of scales (it really used to depress me when I wasn't losing weight-then I ate to feel better). I'm still overweight, but I don't hide away when a friend is taking pictures. I'm happy in my own skin and that makes a huge difference. I'm losing weight slowly, I've changed my lifestyle, I just regret that it took me so long to get to this point.
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reader, anonymous, writes (6 September 2012): "when there is a will, there is a way"
The only decision given to us in this world , is The power to make a choice. Don't lose yourself in the world of make believe. Do it natural, you can do it. I used to be 250, now at 170 1&1/2 yrs l8r.
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reader, malletchick76 +, writes (6 September 2012):
 I vote no. Only because you are very young and your body is still developing. This could add to the list of complications. There are ways to lose the weight in a healthy way. 1 pound a week is considered healthy. Anything more must be under careful watch of a doctor/physician.
You can lose a lot of weight just by cutting back one thing. Let's say you have 2 sodas a day. Make it one soda a day. You just lost anywhere from 90-250 calories per day by that one move. Making healthy choices can jump start you before you take on the challenge.
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