So I had an appointment with my doctor last week. He wrote me a referral and also had me get some blood work done just to make sure I don't have thyroid problems or anything. I got my blood work back today and another doctor went over it with me. He said everything was fine, but saw that I was trying to get the lap band and was telling me I should reconsider and try something else. He thinks that I am too young to get it done, because I am only 19. I know some other people feel the same. Just because I am young, doesn't mean I haven't suffered or been through hell and back with my weight, too. I'm just feeling so confused. My husband, dad, and best friend are all very supportive, but other than that, I feel like a lot of people are against it. I have my seminar on Thursday and I am so excited about it. I just wish I would stop being put down about this.

Angie-

The fact that you recognize that you have a weight issue and want to fix it while you are young enough to enjoy your life shows your are very mature. Find a new Dr that will be supportive of your life choices. Its so nice to see that your family is supportive, that really helps ALOT! Stay focused on your goal and never let anyone bring you down. Good luck sweetie! Keep us posted on your journey :biggrin:

Thanks.. It really means a lot that someone realizes that I am mature despite my age. I am married and living on my own. I will graduate from nursing school in a couple months and I will have a good career. I have read and re-read about the surgery and I am trying to learn as much as I can and I am also aware of what could happen with lap band surgery...as with all other surgeries. thanks again..it really makes me feel better when I get positive feedback rather than negative :biggrin:

I know how you feel. Several people told me that I was too young and should focus on trying to lose the weight on my own. All this negativity made me question my choice. I went back and forth for two years but now I know that this is the right choice for me. You cannot let them put you down. Only you know how much you have struggled and only you can make the right choice for your body.I agree with countingthedays you should find a doctor that will support you.

I wish I could have gotten my band at 19.

I wish I could have gotten the band at 13 quite honestly.

Welcome! You should be assessed based on your maturity and not age. I know many people a lot older than you who have the emotional maturity of a 12 year old. At 18, you're an adult and have the right to make your own decisions.

Find a supportive MD and move forward with your plans.

It sounds like your regular doctor is supportive of your decision. I wouldn't worry about this doctor. He doesn't know your history. It's up to your regular doctor as to if you get a referral or not AND he already gave you the referral so it's a done deal on that level.

I found it interesting that you're 19 and married. How long have you been married? DH and I got married 4 months after my 19th b-day, he was 23, almost 24. That was 20 years ago! My how time flies!

Sounds like you've got a good head on your shoulders. Try to stay positive, you've done your research and you're smart. You'll ultimately decide if this is really for you or not. I'm finding this board very helpful {and addicting} so come back often if you have questions or need some encouragement.

Best wishes!

im 24 and if i could of had it when i was 17 my life would of been so different.. go for wat u want, and if thats the band then dont let others put u down, u dont want to regret it and not get it done and then get it done 5 yrs later n lose ur weight n think shit! i should of done it bak then..

good luck

The girl in the bed beside me when I was done in September was only 20 and the doctor in Brisbane had no hesitation in the world in doing her

thanks so much everyone for your positive input! It's such a bummer when people put down your decision and don't think you are capable of making the right one. I am definitely going for it *if insurance approves it* I have my seminar tomorrow morning!! So excited!!

heartfire--I have been married for 6 mos. got married 2 weeks before my 19th birthday! My husband just turned 21. We were high school sweethearts, he joined the navy, then we got married, but not once have I ever regretted my decision to marry him even though I got sooo much crap about it! I'm so glad to see that you were married at 19 and it has been 20 years! That is really awesome.

The youngest patient my doctor has is 16 years old. If you have been battling your weight for some time I say go for it. You'll be so much more healthy. Good luck.

Angie-

The fact that you recognize that you have a weight issue and want to fix it while you are young enough to enjoy your life shows your are very mature. Find a new Dr that will be supportive of your life choices. Its so nice to see that your family is supportive, that really helps ALOT! Stay focused on your goal and never let anyone bring you down. Good luck sweetie! Keep us posted on your journey :smile2:

COUNTINGTHE DAYS: I am also from Bradenton. Can you tell me when the support groups are in Manatee Memorial? Can anyone attend?

I see you chose Dr. Bunch, I heard good things from him. I was going to Dr. Este, but he or HIS OFFICE said I didn't qualify, without even seeing me. So I went elsewhere and that's how I ended up with Dr. Rehnke in St. Pete. He is a great man and understands me.

I am schedule for next tuesday, I am so nervous and yet so happy and yet scared. I know this is a good thing.

How are you doing?

So I had an appointment with my doctor last week. He wrote me a referral and also had me get some blood work done just to make sure I don't have thyroid problems or anything. I got my blood work back today and another doctor went over it with me. He said everything was fine, but saw that I was trying to get the lap band and was telling me I should reconsider and try something else. He thinks that I am too young to get it done, because I am only 19. I know some other people feel the same. Just because I am young, doesn't mean I haven't suffered or been through hell and back with my weight, too. I'm just feeling so confused. My husband, dad, and best friend are all very supportive, but other than that, I feel like a lot of people are against it. I have my seminar on Thursday and I am so excited about it. I just wish I would stop being put down about this.

I wouldn't worry a lot about what others think. It is your body and your choice. You have to do what you have to do.

Look at it this way, you could wait on surgery and try more failed diets and in a few years you could be a larger BMI or you can do it now and get your life back.

This isn't like a face lift, we are saving our lives here. This is huge. If I would have been overweight at 19 I would have wanted to do something about it. I'd rather see people get their lives back. Life is different after reaching goal in *so* many ways.

Go for it and trust your own thoughts and feelings. Don't worry about what others have to say about your own medical decisions.

Life is choices and timing... Becoming selfaware is not determaned by calender age. Some it takes a lifetime and some like yourself it is a young age. How you handle this will really make the differnce in how the rest of your life maps out. Good luck with it!

My doctor told me that I should not get the band becuase I was young and I should be able to do it throguh diet and exercise. I felt like telling her that every overweight person could do it through diet and exercise but it doesn't always work out. Some people need a little extra help. The funny thing is that she came to that conclusion after only seeing me in her office twice and knew nothing of my history of weight problem .

When my family members try to deter me from getting the band because I am "too young" I always ask them if I have to wait another 24 years being overweight and unhappy so they can finally think that I am old enought to get the band.

You have to do it for you. Don't let anyone discourage from making a decision that will change your life for the better especially when their reasoning is that you are "too young".