Hello my name is maylene I am currently 17 years old & for a while I have been researching information on lap-band surgery . im pretty sure I qualify for it but im not sure if im age appropriate . Some people say yes & other say no . But I have an appointment with my family doctor on thursday . I just really hope I can go through with this I tried excersising dieting & I currently still do , but nothing seems to be coming off . I just want to live a better & healthy life . Can anyone give me some insight & advice?

IMO...17 is very young to make this type of decision on your own. How do you plan to pay? Do you have your own insurance or will you be self paying? Talk to your family and your pcp, make sure that you have their support (especially if they will be paying the bill .) If you have your own insurance call them and see if they have an age requirement. Whatever you decide, be sure that you are ready for the life style change that comes with this choice. Good Luck.

My mother & I already called my insurrence & they will cover it I just have to go through a program first & I already have an appointment talk speak with a doctor any other expenses I could pay for my self no problem thanks . Have you had the surgery?

Yes, I'm a little over 1 year.... What does the program consist of? You can see in my "sig" everything I had to do before surgery.

I say go for it. Wish I would have nipped my weight problem in the bud along time ago! Life is too short, especially if you have been overweight for a long time. I have been overweight since 3rd grade and did many diets through the years. This time I am confident I will keep it off.

I have a daughter that is 17 and she is very mature. She is struggling with a lot of the same issues I did like PCOS. I don't think it should be your first option....It isn't a easy way out. But if you have underline issues that are keeping you from getting the weight off and have tried the other convential ways like weight watchers and south beach....then I definately think it is worth exploring....I wouldn't want you to wait another 5 years and gain more weight and end up with serious health problems. Just really take the time to educate yourself......make sure you are mentally and emotionally ready to make such a big decision.

And listen to your mama!! Your mama knows you better than anyone else....if she feels like this is something you can handle, then I would support it....if she thinks it isn't the right time for you....then listen to her and take another year and try other methods to get the weight off.

I have to say...I wish I had nipped this in the bud when I was 17 years old. Now I am 36 years old and I have spent the last 20 years on every fad diet known to man. Not to mention that I have developed overweight issues such as Type II diabetes.

Personally I would not recommend u get it at this age.I would say try a personal trainer and nutritionist first.if u get 25/26 yrs and still want it then do it.every surgery had serious risks so unless you are super

Orbit or experiencing health problems if u were my daughter I'd ask u to try other things .first.

I was very mature at 17 (lived on my own, full time job, college, etc) but I am not sure my head was in the right spot for this particular surgery. We of course don't know you, but you really need to think about what this type of change entails and if you are ready to 100% commit to it. I am 23 and just got banded, and can say that I feel as if I really exercised all of my options prior to settling on WLS. Just make sure to have a good support network around you for this.

I think ima just go for it I been over weight my whole life so far & I started dieting a while ago im still dieting now . I already had a personal trainer at planet fitness but nothings working & my BMI is 37 . I don't want to wait to long because I don't want to gain more weight . I start nursing school next month , I have been employed for 2years I know im mature enough to make the choice & my mother supports me on it . Did any of you guys have any complications with the surgery?

& thanks everyone you guys helped me A-LOT already

Good luck