WLS for 12 and 14 yeaar olds - advice/input needed
I'll try to keep this as brief as poss. My 12 year old daughter has a BMI of 36, my 14 year old a BMI of 32. They are both very keen on the idea of WLS and having had a DS myself 3 years ago I'm not a total newbie to the concept of surgery to help cure obesity.
My problem is this - I believed the VSG would be the ideal surgery for them to have and having spoken to our surgeon of choice for my girls (Dr Ortiz in Mexico) he absolutely will not consider a sleeve on a 12 and 14 year old but will happily perform a lapband for them both. He agrees that teens benefit most from WLS, and with his initial clinical data shows they have higher weight loss and mainteneance than overweight adults.
Dr Ortiz says that performing surgery now, at their age is acceptable for medical, social and emotional reasons and that clinical data shows that their BMI's will only get higher so waiting until they are older with possible co-morbidities is unecessary.
I was totally on board with the idea of a VSG but am really having reservations about the lap band. I've trawled the boards and the band seems like a nightmare!! Slippage, erosion, poor weight loss, slow weight loss, many "band rules" to follow regarding chewing/eating/drinking. The cost of maintenance and fills is also a consideration.
I see the cons of a band at my girls age, Possible removal if required at a later date, adjustability ect but it just seems like one of the harder WLS to live with?
What would you do? I would love any input from anyone regarding choice of surgery or even if you believe surgery is acceptable.
If you believe the VSG is the way to go how can I find a surgeon who will perform it on teens so young who are as experienced as Dr Ortiz, in both bariatric and pediatric WLS? Obviously I only want the best as these are my babies.
Please help...
My problem is this - I believed the VSG would be the ideal surgery for them to have and having spoken to our surgeon of choice for my girls (Dr Ortiz in Mexico) he absolutely will not consider a sleeve on a 12 and 14 year old but will happily perform a lapband for them both. He agrees that teens benefit most from WLS, and with his initial clinical data shows they have higher weight loss and mainteneance than overweight adults.
Dr Ortiz says that performing surgery now, at their age is acceptable for medical, social and emotional reasons and that clinical data shows that their BMI's will only get higher so waiting until they are older with possible co-morbidities is unecessary.
I was totally on board with the idea of a VSG but am really having reservations about the lap band. I've trawled the boards and the band seems like a nightmare!! Slippage, erosion, poor weight loss, slow weight loss, many "band rules" to follow regarding chewing/eating/drinking. The cost of maintenance and fills is also a consideration.
I see the cons of a band at my girls age, Possible removal if required at a later date, adjustability ect but it just seems like one of the harder WLS to live with?
What would you do? I would love any input from anyone regarding choice of surgery or even if you believe surgery is acceptable.
If you believe the VSG is the way to go how can I find a surgeon who will perform it on teens so young who are as experienced as Dr Ortiz, in both bariatric and pediatric WLS? Obviously I only want the best as these are my babies.
Please help...
5'7" SW 268lbs BMI 42/ CW 132lbs BMI 20.7 / GW 140lbs 136lbs Lost
I Ymy duodenal switch
i do not have children - but i would agree with you - if anything - VSG - may be a best choice. band is so defective and so much maintnace, and posibility of GERD, and long term outcome - errosion etc. So - i would never put a band in me - and never ever - put a band in a child. How about a bigger sleeve?
Hala. RNY 5/14/2008; Happy At Goal =HAG
"I can eat or do anything I want to - as long as I am willing to deal with the consequences"
"Failure is not falling down, It is not getting up once you fell... So pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and start all over again...."
Wow, 12 and 14 are so young! I have a 13 year old and can not imagine doing that! I am 40 and just had it done after being overweight my entire life. I am sorry, I do not have an opinion other than teach them better habits and try to avoid surgery while so young!
I had my RNY on 3/17/10. 
HW 372/SW 358/GW 199 
HW 372/SW 358/GW 199 Thanks for your input. Well, that was exactly my thinking. Problem is Dr Ortiz is one of the few surgeons who find WLS acceptable on teens (the medical profession seems to be light years behind everyone else on this subject) plus he is a superb doctor.
He seems VERY pro lap band period. I have a feeling if was was enquiring for myself as an adult with a (previous BMI of 42) he would try to talk me out of the VSG and into the band.
My gut instrinct is a VSG as having had a DS I already live with the stomach part of the sleeve so know how to best guide my kids. I just don't know which surgeon to speak ot next.
He seems VERY pro lap band period. I have a feeling if was was enquiring for myself as an adult with a (previous BMI of 42) he would try to talk me out of the VSG and into the band.
My gut instrinct is a VSG as having had a DS I already live with the stomach part of the sleeve so know how to best guide my kids. I just don't know which surgeon to speak ot next.
5'7" SW 268lbs BMI 42/ CW 132lbs BMI 20.7 / GW 140lbs 136lbs Lost
I Ymy duodenal switch
It would be a bit of a hike, but you may want to look into Dr. Baltasar in Spain. He has a paper about a VSG he did on a 10-year-old. (Dina from the DS board's son, actually.)
www.bodybybaltasar.com/LSG_in_a_10_year_old_child.pdf
I also think a sleeve would be my go-to choice for a teen of that age.
www.bodybybaltasar.com/LSG_in_a_10_year_old_child.pdf
I also think a sleeve would be my go-to choice for a teen of that age.
I am from Toronto Canada and Sick Childrens hospital just started performing WLS on teens. The Hospital is one of the best hospitals in the world. I have mixed feelings about the surgery being done on a teen. A large part of me says do it, as I know what it is like to be a teenager with a weight problems. Then I think could there be alternatives to weight loss for them. However being overweight all my life, it is hard to just lose weight. I think you need to do what you feel is best for your kids. I am not sure what surgery they perform at the hospital, but worth looking into. Good luck Barb
My Angel is Scorer14
Thank you so much guys - and I appreciate you not flaming me - I know WLS seems drastic on 12 and 14 year olds and I was expecting more "what are you thinking?" posts 
Dr Baltazar seems interesting - he is a surgeon I greatly respect and remember loooking into him when I was researching my surgery options. I haven't got a problem travelling, and as I'm from Europe though currently living in the US I think I feel more comfortable with the idea of Spain than Mexico! I will definitely contact him.
Dr Baltazar seems interesting - he is a surgeon I greatly respect and remember loooking into him when I was researching my surgery options. I haven't got a problem travelling, and as I'm from Europe though currently living in the US I think I feel more comfortable with the idea of Spain than Mexico! I will definitely contact him.
5'7" SW 268lbs BMI 42/ CW 132lbs BMI 20.7 / GW 140lbs 136lbs Lost
I Ymy duodenal switch
Most Active
Recent Topics
