Question:
i'm fourteen years old and want lap band, is it possible?
I'm fourteen years old, 5'9, and weigh 274 lbs. My mom and I both want for me to get it done, i just don't know if it's possible, and i don't want to have to wait a year for it to FINALLY happen. I'm a freshman and highschool, so it's not all that fun being fat. Most of the surgeons say you have to be 18, but three of my doctors say they will recommend me for it. is there a good possibility? I'm a pre-diabetic, and i've been dieting since i was in the 4th grade. I need answers! — camillereasons (posted on June 25, 2009)
June 25, 2009
Hi. Have you seen a bariatric surgeon, and if so, what does he or she say?
It sounds like you really need some intervention of some kind! I hope
someone has more information for you--I know my advice isn't that helpful.
I DO say, see an experienced bariatric surgeon--or two, or three--until you
are satisfied that they are truly hearing you and considering. Also, you
could check with the various agencies (Dept.of Health, Assn. of Bariatric
Surgeons, etc.) who should know the law and should be able to at least
answer your questions--and possibly refer you to someone right for you!
Best of luck, and hang in there. Ck
— Cattykit
June 25, 2009
my mom talked to one of the surgeons, and she told her that i have to be
15.
I just don't want to have to wait a year.
and i'm also just really scared and i don't want my mom to have to pay a
whole lot of money for it to be done.
even though i know it needs to be.
thank you, though.
— camillereasons
June 25, 2009
Check with Duke University in NC. My son is 15 and weighs the same and
5'11. I am having RNY 6/29/09. HE will be seeing my dietician and counselor
for the same issues I have and see if he is a candidate to go to Duke in
NC. we live in SC. There are a few hospitals that will do this for under
18. Check with a local bariatric surgeon office. have your mom call and ask
if they do it for under 18 and if fnot what physicians in your state or
nearby state does. They should have that information. I hope that helps!
Good luck to you sweetheart! Take care of yourself!!!
— Cindy W.
June 25, 2009
we have one surgeon where i live that will do it for fourteen year olds.
I'm just really scared and i don't want my dad finding out or my mom having
to pay a lot of money :/
i'm mainly just terrified of failure.
— camillereasons
June 25, 2009
Have your mom take you to a surgeon or maybe 2. Talk to your general doctor
as well. You are young but if you feel you can commit yourself to it 100%
then it should work. The band is not a magical tool. You have to work with
it too. If you don't think you can make some life changes then don't do it.
Read alot about it first. Talk to people. Be honest with yourself. Maybe
see a lapband psychiatrist who can determine if you you are a good
candidate or a social worker. They just know the right questions to ask
you. I can relate I was a chubby kid too. Would have loved to do this at 14
as well. Good luck!
— Linda R.
June 25, 2009
My surgeon will not do it for anyone under 18.
— LinnieJean
June 25, 2009
My sister and I went to Mexico and had ours done the same day, but we had
the sleeve gastrectomy (you might want to investigate that procedure - no
fills, dumping, etc.), and they are a little more understanding when it
comes to doing the procedures on teenagers. Check out the website
endobariatric.com. That is where we went.
— sgusty53
June 26, 2009
Most surgeons will not do WLS on teenagers because their bodies are still
changing. Also, and I'm not meaning you, some teens may not be mature
enough to make the life changes necessary. Please know I'm not speaking of
you - it's just a generalization. I work with teenagers on my job and am
just concerned about your fear and why you don't want your dad to know. You
should persue what is best for you.
— Muggs
June 26, 2009
You are so young. I understand your need to want to lose weight but a
lap-band might not be the answer. I have one and I had to fight to get it
and I am still struggling with my weight. It is not a magic tool you still
have to work and work hard. Try losing weight on your own. Then if all
else fails go for the surgery.
— Cookie1257
June 26, 2009
I would suggest researching the VSG. You are so young and would probably
outlive your band. I've seen many people getting revisions after just a
short time. The VSG could be a lifetime tool without the need for
adjustments forever.
— downtownjulibrown
June 26, 2009
Before you go the surgical route you need to really understand that even
with surgery you still have to be on a diet and you have to exercise
regularly too or you won't be successful at keeping the weight off. It
actually becomes a more strict diet because you have to make every bite
count toward proper nutrition, not just to satisfy hunger. The reason
doctors are reluctant to operate on teenagers is because your body is still
growing and impeding your nutrition at this age can have a significantly
damaging effect on your growth, bones, teeth, etc. Even the grown people
report on these boards that they become lax at taking their vitamins and
they end up becoming sick. You have to become a disciplined person when you
undergo any type of weight loss surgery and train yourself to adopt new,
healthy habits as far as food and exercise. Those are things you can begin
to practice on now even before surgery to see if you are able to make that
commitment. I wish you the best but I strongly urge you to not rush into
surgery unless both of your parents are in agreement with you. It's never
good to hide something from either parent because eventually they do find
out and then they are hurt because you didn't tell them. It's like saying,
'I don't trust you'. If both parents are on board with the idea along with
you then that's your best chance at a successful outcome.
— Arkin10
June 27, 2009
I use a completely different health care system as I am in Israel, but I
know that my surgeon did a few sleeve gastrectomies on young teenagers -
some of whom I met. I respect your decision to have surgery, but I would
urge you NOT to do the lapband. It is considered 40% effective. That
means, in other words, that it is 60% UNEFFECTIVE!! Even within the 40%
there is not much effective weight loss for most, although there are some
lucky few who do quite well with it. Also, if you want a revision
afterwards like most lap banders eventually do, you may be more limited in
your options after all the scar tissue that can be caused by erosion from
the band or constant vomiting which ruins the esophogus (I know a few
people who had to revise to RNY instead of the sleeve which they would have
prefferred because of this). I wish you good luck.
— zimra
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