Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

What do you think?


Guest HippiesReak

Recommended Posts

Guest HippiesReak

I have a 17 year-old daughter who has struggled with her weight almost her entire life. She's been looking into different solutions and thinks that the Lap Band is right for her. Initially I was against it because its surgery and a huge step. However, I've seen what a painful struggle it is for her to try and fail at so many attempts to change her life, and after researching it more, I'm starting to think it might be a possible option for us. What do you guys think? And for those of you who have battled your weight since childhood, would you have had this procedure so young given the option? Thanks

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

well i have been overweight since i was a child (i am 27 now well in 2 days) and i would have loved to have gotten it done when i was younger.

my only concern would be that she's mature enough which since your even considering it she must be. i must say kudos to her for picking the band. most people want instant gratification at any cost to their body. they do gastric bypass on people as young as 14 and i cant understand how someone that young could handle that drastic of a surgery. i couldnt do it at my age!

when i was 17 i could have been banded and worked it successfully. until you reach proper restriction you can still eat and thats a stressful time, there are ups and down and when they happen i recommend a support group (such as this) because most of the time people here have gone through it, are going through it etc.

i am sure she wants nothing more than to be a healthy weight. the lapband can help her achieve that! it is not a magic potion and she will have to work at it but it will work!!!

have her read through old posts and see what others deal with so she can see what she may be dealing with!

good luck!!!! let us know what you decide!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I second Michelle's advice. I'll be 43 in a couple weeks, and if I could have been banded at 17 and saved all those years in between I definitely would have done it.

I will say, though, that my real weight started coming on during a very stressful emotional time in my life, and that if I had been able to get the kind of therapy on compulsive eating THEN that I got 2 years ago, it would have made the world of difference to me.

I believe that weight problems are almost always due to both physiological as well as emotional issues. The band deals with the physiological part - counseling helps with the emotional part.

Good luck to her!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm one of those who has been obese since childhood, and I think that had I been banded in my teens I might indeed have ended up a more normal-sized adult. For one thing, I may not have developed and refined the speed-eating technique that I'm now struggling to conquer.

But it's easy for me to say that because my particular demons were and are those most directly affected by the band--that is, quantity and speed of intake. If your daughter has other issues--a closet candy fetish, or secret binging, for example--banding might only add one more slight obstacle to be gotten around in the drive to eat. That is to say, perhaps even more than for an older person the evaluation process is extremely important.

The short answer to your question is YES, I wish I'd had the opportunity as a teenager.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Guest HippiesReak

Thank you so much for your replies. They have helped to ease my mind a great deal, as I was starting to lean towards letting her be banded. I happen to know that she doesn't hide food or binge on candy; her food choices are actually pretty healthy, its the portions she eats that are the problem, so the Lap Band seems like a good tool to help her control the problem. She is very mature and I definetly trust her judgement. But, being that she is not 18 does anyone know if an insurance company would cover the operation? I also don't know if her BMI is quite at 40, but there is a huge history of diabetes and other obesity-related problems on both sides of her family.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had the surgery done at 20 years old (now 21), and I'm very happy with the results. I definitely think the band is better for young people than the bypass is. The band is more adaptable to changes throughout life than the bypass is.

As long as she is mature enough to eat sensibly, and can deal with giving up carbonated beverages (which might put a damper on going out for beers with her friends during the college years), I don't see anything wrong with getting the band at her age.

Did you see the link to the BMI calculator?

http://lapbandtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=74

If she isn't over 40, then going to Mexico might be an option. I know that there are some Mexican surgeons who will band "lightweights". I think the BMI >40 criteria is more appropriate to the RNY, since it's a far more drastic and dangerous surgery than the band. Someday maybe they'll lower the BMI requirement for the band.

Good luck.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I wasn't obese as a child, but have been morbidly obese for most of my adult life - at least 15 or 20 years. Oh, how I wish I had had this option then! Being obese has caused me (and I dare say most of us) all kinds of mental distress in addition to putting my physical health at risk and making a social life much more difficult. Also, if she is morbidly obese or even close to it, she has almost 0 chance of ever losing the weight and keeping it off without surgical intervention. About 1 person in 20 can lose that much weight (and I was one of them). But hardly any are able to keep it off. Good luck to both of you.

Nancy

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I think most of the drs will only do the procedure on persons older than 18. I know my surgeon has an age limit. It probably has something to do with legalities. Could she wait until she is 18 and of legal consenting age?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Guest HippiesReak

I've been looking into self pay docs in Mexico, and so long as she has parent permission and is done growing (which she is) there shouldn't be a problem.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • vsg.with.sharon

      Hey everyone!
      I’m new here! Looking for some friends! 🥰
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • LeighaTR

      Four days post surgery. I am sipping as fast as I can and getting NO WHERE near the goal of 60 - 80 grams of protein or the 64 oz of liquids. I just feel FULL. I don't know if it can still be the gas build up (I would think by now that would be gone) but it is a struggle to drink. And so far I have not had the nausea or spasms and don't want to wander into that territory by pushing too hard with liquids. I about passed out today as it was my most "strenuous" day. Went from second story to basement for shower and I was sure I was going to pass out. Looking back on my last few days I have had a total of less than 1000 calories. Am I just not getting enough nourishment in me? Once again a friday where I can't get ahold of the doc until Monday rolls back around so I am hoping maybe someone here has some experience on how to keep energy going. I do have fibromyalgia too and that may be where some added fatigue comes into play. How did you all fair with the goals the week after surgery?
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      2 days until I fly out to San Diego to have my Bypass Surg. in Tiajuana Mexico. Not gonna lie, the nerves are starting to surface. I don't fear the surgery itself, or the fact that I'm traveling alone, but its the aftermath that I'm stressing about the most, after this 8 week wait. I'm excited to finally be here, but I am really dreading the post surgical chapter. I know its going to be tough, real tough and I think I'm just in my head to much now that the day i here. Wish me luck, Hopefully I'm one of the lucky ones, and everything goes smoothly. Cant wait to give an exciting update,. If there is anyone else have a June bypass or even a recent one, Id love to have someone to compare war stories with. Also, anyone near San Antonio Tx? See ya soon with the future me. 💜
      · 3 replies
      1. Phil Penn

        Good Luck this procedure is well worth it I am down to 249.6 lb please continue with the process..

      2. Selina333

        I'm in Houston so kind of near you and had the sleeve in Dec. Down 61 lbs. Feeling better. Was definitely worth it. I hope the everything is going well for you. Update us when you can!

      3. Doughgurl

        I am back home after my bypass surgery in Tiajuana. I'm post op day 4. Everything went great! I guess I'm one of the lucky ones who have not encountered much pain at all, no nausea thus far and I'm having no problem keeping down broths and water. Thank you for your well wishes. I cant wait to keep up this journey and have a chance at better health and simply better quality of life. I know there will be bumps in the road ahead, and everything won't be peaches and cream, but at least I have a great start so far. 😍

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×