I'm a teen 17 to be exact and I'm having issues finding a doctor thats not too far and that will band a minor. Its been stressful but I believe it will be worth it in the end....I hope... although I have been hearing about how you have to lose weight before you get it done. I don't understand that because if you could lose the weight in the first place then why do this? The reason I want to do this is because I want to feel better about myself and be healthy and I can't lose it on my own I have tried almost everything and all has failed. But my first concern is to find a doctor. If anyone has suggestions would love to hear them.

I was in that same position. A little over a year ago (I was 17 & a half) was when I first went to find out about lapband & it turns out my surgeon was willing to band me, but my insurance said I had to be 18. My surgeon didn't ask me to lose any weight, but I did actually have to gain about 10lb in order for my insurance to approve. Where are you from & how far are you willing to drive?

I was in that same position. A little over a year ago (I was 17 & a half) was when I first went to find out about lapband & it turns out my surgeon was willing to band me, but my insurance said I had to be 18. My surgeon didn't ask me to lose any weight, but I did actually have to gain about 10lb in order for my insurance to approve. Where are you from & how far are you willing to drive?

umm well thats the thing i live in the "sticks" wayy in NH (pretty much middle of nowhere) and my parents dont have the time to drive me very far away i mean i heard about a few good sergions my moms going to talk to and i prayy they let us. I also believe my mothers insurance wants me to be 18 but im not sure if thats what she said or not lol My doctor is not helping at all she keeps saying we have to be the ones to do everything so its putting more pressure on me. All i want is to have this done and not have to wait for a veryy long time. I really want this SOOO much. But there arnt many other teens my age on here most are 18 and older so its frusterating lol

well i know of 2 clinics in NYC that will do teens

Why not just wait until your 18? Until your even 20 your body hasn't matured, that's why a surgeon will not touch you, they would rather know they are covered if they do surgery on someone who is 18 or older, if you have it at any age under 18 there's always the risk for the doctor that you will come back in a year unhappy with the way the surgery turned out, I know that may not happen but I'd just say wait until your 18, I've thought about banding since I was 15 and have only recently started doing something about it (I"m 20 this month) and it's taken me a very long time to think about it and think about the pro's and cons

I've thought about banding since I was 15 and have only recently started doing something about it (I"m 20 this month) and it's taken me a very long time to think about it and think about the pro's and cons

What are your PROS's and CON's??

What are your PROS's and CON's??

There are alot, you know I've had 5 years to think about what I want for my life, the pros are being healthy, knowing I won't have as much lung trouble, being happy, just overall well being if you know what I mean? I've been in and out of hospital since I was 10, I've always been the chubby one, I have never been a size 12, last October my doctor told me that within 5-10 years I may be looking at a lung transplant which is a huge deal for anyone to deal with especially me being as young as I am, he also said that having that kind of operation would increase my risk of recovery and although he didn't say it you know he really meant survival, it just made me think of everything, I don't want to die because I can't breathe and I'm that big that I won't be put on the transplant list, that scares me more than dying of how big I am and could end up being. The Cons? Band slippage and possible removal of the band, that's it, the pros definitely outweight the cons and I would rather do this for myself knowing that in 5-10 years I won't be lying in bed thinking why didn't I loose weight? It might seem kind of strange to read this but it definitely means alot to me, my medical issues have almost nothing to do with my weight but I know that once the weight is gone I would rather have a 90% of living after surgery rather than not been giving a percentage rate at all.

i was banded when i was 16. my BIGGEST pro is that i get to start a new life when i go to college. i wont have the 'fat girl' shadow following me around.

amen

actually i think im the youngest one on here im 16 & im getting surgery done in like july but ill be 17 in august so yeah

I'm 15, and I'm getting my surgery date next month. ;D

Why don't you google it? That's how I found my doctor.

Mabey you can check with your mom and state if you qualify for a medical card? It covers your full precidure, including fills. My mom's a single mother, and that's how I qualified for it. We drive every month to Chicago [4 hours away including rush hour] so you can do it!!

Just ask. [:

-<33 Nikki

:wink:

do you go to new hope nikki?

do you go to new hope nikki?

Yup!! ;]

Did you go there?

yess I do.

Amy is my favorite person in the worrrrrrrrrrrrrld

wow! 16! thats amazing. I contemplated LB a couple of years ago (i turned 18 back in june), but no doctor who touch me with a ten foot pole...anyway...i went and saw a fantastic doctor back in november, who spoke to me and sent me away to think about it (and get the funds together!). I went back in late Feb and was banded 17th March...its the best thing i think i could have done, and so far...am very happy with the outcome!!

yess I do.

Amy is my favorite person in the worrrrrrrrrrrrrld

Lol!!! Mine too! She's really funny. =]

But, everytime I go there, it's like, Dr Browne hates me or something. :l

Idk if he's like that to everyone, but w/e.

I haven't gotten a date yet, but hopefully he will when I go back on the 7th.

I'm really scared about the surgery itself.

I keep thinking I'm gunna die during it or something.

=[

Were you ever scared like that??

&& Congrats Danni!!!!

Lol!!! Mine too! She's really funny. =]

But, everytime I go there, it's like, Dr Browne hates me or something. :l

Idk if he's like that to everyone, but w/e.

I haven't gotten a date yet, but hopefully he will when I go back on the 7th.

I'm really scared about the surgery itself.

I keep thinking I'm gunna die during it or something.

=[

Were you ever scared like that??

well first of all, dr browne is just kinda weird. i mean, i think he is cool, but i think he is like that with everyone. him and his bow tie! lol

but dont be too scared. ill be there on the 10th, too bad were going to miss each other. i wasnt scared until i was headed into the surgery. everyone is amazing there. one of the PT came and visited a few times, and amy and dr browne discharged me the next day.

if you want to, tell me when you get your date! i can see if ill be there