WLS for 12 and 14 yeaar olds - advice/input needed

Jane, good luck. I am not at all against WLS for responsible teenagers, and you know your kids.

Obesity can take a huge toll on our bodies, and I think sometimes that the sooner it can be stopped, the better. Especially with a procedure like the VSG that is unlikely to cause any complications.

Frankly, the science is out there for dieting: it doesn't work the vast majority of the time. This is true for teens as well as adults.

I believe both kids are so young but considering that, I agree the band would be the best option because it can be remove easily AND at such a young age-both kids could still be taught easier for life changes & eating right so that later they could have the bands removed and still be successful. 

 Considering their ages (very young) and their BMIs (NOT morbidly obese, one of them is barely obese), I would not even consider surgery at this date for my children.  As in, it would not cross my mind any more than electively chopping off their toes would.   

Do they have any comorbidities?    

Why can't you focus on diet and exercise at this juncture?   

There is NO way I would allow my children to get ANY WLS until they were over 18. There is no way a 12 and 14 year old could even begin to understand the risks, complications etc that comes with these surgeries.

A kid couldn't understand the risks and complications of removing their appendix either, doesn't mean I would prevent life saving surgery for them.

How does removing their appendix affect them in the future? Are they going to have to be more diligent about their vitamins? Carefully count their protein? Worry about band erosion? No. Sorry but with BMI's and ages like that I think the reposinsible thing to do by both parent and doctor would be to teach them healthy eating habits. If that doesn't work then consider surgery when they are older.

I didn't claim it would.  I responded to what you wrote and you wrote the following:

~~There is NO way I would allow my children to get ANY WLS until they were over 18. There is no way a 12 and 14 year old could even begin to understand the risks, complications etc that comes with these surgeries.~~

Parents make medical decisions every single day for their kids.  There is a mentality out there sometimes that fat folks have to pay their dues before they can have WLS.  I can see a 14 year old having surgery but a 12 year old?  I don't know.  I think it depends on the child.  Some could do it well and some couldn't.  I think since Mom has had WLS herself she knows the deal here and she knows her children.  Only she could make a decision about this along with her kids.

How well did learning healthy eating habits work for you when you were a 31 BMI?

I don't know because nobody tried. But they certainly wouldn't have looked at such extreme measures for such a low bmi either. I can't believe that surgeons would even consider it.

A 30 BMI is not a low BMI, it is obese.  Obesity is serious.

Stats are pretty clear, their BMIs are not going to go down, only up.  I'd sure rather see someone get surgery now vs. waiting until they are really high risk, you know?

No I'm sorry I just can't imagine kids that young having any WLS. Older and wiser fine but I have a hard time believing a 12 year old is "mature enough" to REALLY understand all that is involved in WLS. I can respect your opinion but I can't agree with it