Hi, my name is Kaitlin and had the surgery a little over two months ago. I've had 2 adjustments so far and i am new to the whole experience. I've lost 47 lbs already and am very happy but i would like to talk to other people to be able to relate to someone.

Hi Kaitlin, I'm not 17 like you but you are doing great. Keep up the good work. Julie

Kaitlin, I have a friend with an overweight daughter, who wants her to get the lapband. She was told that she had to wait till she was 18, according to Inameds guidelines. My question is this:how did you get it dne at 17, and did you get the inamed band or something else. I would love to give her hope that she could get it done and lose her weight before she goes off to college next fall. Thanks, and congratulations on your success so far!!!!

Hi Kaitlin, congratulations on taking control of this disease at your age. You have done so well already and I am sure you will continue with this great success.

Even though most of us are older - please do post here and get involved, it is a great community and proud to support young people like yourself!

Susan

Makes me wonder. My doctor banded a 16 year old still in high school. Hmmm

Hi Kaitlyn,

Congratulations on your new life! My daughter would like to have the surgery done. She is 19 years old and a sophomore in college. I was wondering if you had any problems with your insurance paying for the surgery? I actually work as a nurse at the hospital that is the center for excellence for the bariatric surgeries in the state of Oregon and we have insurance coverage for employees and dependents, however the person has to be over 25 years old. She cried very hard when I told her it would not be covered. I am trying to get the hospital to make an exception or try to work on them including the under 25 age for next year's benefit package. If anyone else out there has had problems with their insurance covering a young person, I would love to hear from them. I heard there is a lawyer out there to help young folks get their insurance to cover them. I heard he was employed by the company that makes lap bands. Any one know anything aobut that?

Good luck! I bet your future is brighter and you will feel 1000 times

better about yourself as you probably already are. I wish the same for my daughter! Barb in Oregon.

:help:

Your VERY lucky, I wish this had been available back when i was your age.

Take advantage of it to the fullest!!

Hi Kaitlin, I am 10 months post op and I am down 52 lbs. You are doing great. Keep up the good work. Julie

Hi Caitlyn. First I want to congratulate you on your weight loss and secondly I am very curious also, how did you get the lapband at your age. We have checked into it for my daughter and we were told she has to be 18 within the US. I know there is a doctor in MX that does younger patients but my doctor/surgeon says that she would have to go back there for any complications, fills and etc. I was just wondering.

By the way, I live in Iowa and our insurance will cover this for her once she turns 18. We We have close to 2 years and that is ok because she is doing the physician supervised diet now. I figure we will go this route and hopefully this works but if not at least she has that done because our insurance requires this to be down within 2 years prior to surgery.

My doc has a younger patient(s) I think it is a matter if your self pay and evaluation of the situation, and if insurance pays.. a matter of winning appeals, but truly I have no idea of SPECIFICs

BTW....... CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!