WLS for 12 and 14 yeaar olds - advice/input needed
On April 5, 2010 at 12:40 PM Pacific Time, SkInNyMiN wrote:
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 itI don't think all 12 y/o's should have surgery but if the parents (especially having had WLS themselves) feel their child is able to deal wih it, kewl beans!
I hate to see any child suffer from obesity. Kids are sooo mean and to deal with the teasing and torment... it ruins their self esteem and everything else. If a medical procedure would save them from that, I'm all for it.
I totally agree with you SkinNyMin.
I am not flaming, but would suggest that the mother take a good hard look at how she may be contributing to the obesity of her children.
I have a step-daughter whose oldest was heavy until my step-daughter stepped up and made the decision that her daughter was not going to be obese on her watch. She then began an exercise regime with her daughter, as well as developing a healthy eating plan. She also did not ask her daughter to join in, as a parent she demanded it...
My granddaughter is now in college and is slim and trim, and frequently thanks her mother for taking her in hand and demanding that she learn healthy eating and exercising habits before she developed a lifelong pattern of obesity.
So often I think we forget that we are the parents and have the right to decide what is in the best interest of our children, and if this means getting the junk food out of the house and consistently monitoring what our kids eat, as well as their level of activity, then it's our job to do it. The kids don't have to like it, and probably won't initially, but it's still our job as parents to ensure that we are doing our best to raise healthy children.
I am not flaming, but would suggest that the mother take a good hard look at how she may be contributing to the obesity of her children.
I have a step-daughter whose oldest was heavy until my step-daughter stepped up and made the decision that her daughter was not going to be obese on her watch. She then began an exercise regime with her daughter, as well as developing a healthy eating plan. She also did not ask her daughter to join in, as a parent she demanded it...
My granddaughter is now in college and is slim and trim, and frequently thanks her mother for taking her in hand and demanding that she learn healthy eating and exercising habits before she developed a lifelong pattern of obesity.
So often I think we forget that we are the parents and have the right to decide what is in the best interest of our children, and if this means getting the junk food out of the house and consistently monitoring what our kids eat, as well as their level of activity, then it's our job to do it. The kids don't have to like it, and probably won't initially, but it's still our job as parents to ensure that we are doing our best to raise healthy children.
Jenna I just re-read your post and saw it was Diana son! Thank you so much - I'm onto it...I'll contact her now. Big hugs girl!!
Btw, my girls have been in to 99th percentile for weight since they were born. They both weighed in at 10lbs at birth and have always been MUCH heavier than their peer group. They both have documented weight loss attempts (haven't we all!?) including a 4 week stint at weight loss camp last summer - lost 20lbs, regained in 2 months once they weren't exercising for 8 hours a day.
Btw, my girls have been in to 99th percentile for weight since they were born. They both weighed in at 10lbs at birth and have always been MUCH heavier than their peer group. They both have documented weight loss attempts (haven't we all!?) including a 4 week stint at weight loss camp last summer - lost 20lbs, regained in 2 months once they weren't exercising for 8 hours a day.
5'7" SW 268lbs BMI 42/ CW 132lbs BMI 20.7 / GW 140lbs 136lbs Lost
I Ymy duodenal switch
Wow! what a situation.
I have only one son and he is on the border of over- weight. Though he is only 11, and eats pretty well- he is a boy. And UNFORTUNATELY it is very, very true that a few extra pound on a boy are alot better tollerated than on a girl and almost acceptable.
I was not obease as a teenager, but carried some extra weight so I do not have the same perspective as you do.
I had RNY for the reasons you discuss regarding the negatives of the band. DS was not an option for me with my insurance.
I think the most important thing is you know your children. YOU know what they need. I am not as hesitant as I would have imgained I would be considering this for children. And that surprises me, but I look at the outlook changes we as adults acquire after surgery and cannot see how that would not be a positive for a young woman in todays society. To be more comfortable in their own skin in a very influential time in their lives- WOW that would be amazing. And if you are worried about their transition to average get them into counseling so they learn to cope with the appropriate skills since they will no longer be able to use food.
good luck in your decision.
TEACH
I have only one son and he is on the border of over- weight. Though he is only 11, and eats pretty well- he is a boy. And UNFORTUNATELY it is very, very true that a few extra pound on a boy are alot better tollerated than on a girl and almost acceptable.
I was not obease as a teenager, but carried some extra weight so I do not have the same perspective as you do.
I had RNY for the reasons you discuss regarding the negatives of the band. DS was not an option for me with my insurance.
I think the most important thing is you know your children. YOU know what they need. I am not as hesitant as I would have imgained I would be considering this for children. And that surprises me, but I look at the outlook changes we as adults acquire after surgery and cannot see how that would not be a positive for a young woman in todays society. To be more comfortable in their own skin in a very influential time in their lives- WOW that would be amazing. And if you are worried about their transition to average get them into counseling so they learn to cope with the appropriate skills since they will no longer be able to use food.
good luck in your decision.
TEACH
On April 5, 2010 at 7:25 AM Pacific Time, jane_w wrote:
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...
You wouldn't want Ortiz anyway. He just started learning sleeves from my doctor a few weeks ago. For your kids you'd want someone with a LOT more experience in staple lines. Ortiz does easy banding on low risk people. He won't even band someone over a 55 BMI, they have to lose weight first. Is this who you think would be most skilled for sleeves on your kids? And out of a clinic instead of a hospital? There is a learning curve for every surgery type, I'd find someone that has already completed their learning curve.
I have mixed feelings with WLS and kids. I think the bottom line is that each child is different, some are more mature than others and only the parents can make those choices. They know their kids better than anyone.
Bands... Ortiz has alwasy been a band mill, that's his thing. Just as of several months ago he was claiming sleeves were stomach mutilation and now that people don't want bands anymore and business is slow he suddenly will mutilate someone's stomach for a fee. I had a band, worst thing I ever did. It was hell.
I know my surgeon has sleeved kids but I do not know what age they were.
WHAT ARE YOU THINKING!!!!!! just kidding 
ok, seriously, i don't think at that age i would have them have wls, they are your children, so your decision, however since you've had the surgery, maybe with your new lifestyle, you could help them to change their eating and exercise patterns so they wouldn't need wls? i know at that age all children want to fit in and it's probably not easy being overweight, but think of the confidence you can build in them and the bonding you will have by helping them do it with you. just a though!! good luck!!
ok, seriously, i don't think at that age i would have them have wls, they are your children, so your decision, however since you've had the surgery, maybe with your new lifestyle, you could help them to change their eating and exercise patterns so they wouldn't need wls? i know at that age all children want to fit in and it's probably not easy being overweight, but think of the confidence you can build in them and the bonding you will have by helping them do it with you. just a though!! good luck!! Personally, I think they are still a bit young. Yes, they may have been in the high percentile, but their bodies are still changing. One or both of them "could" snap out of it during puberty and shoot up in height and even their weight out. I just think they would be better off waiting until they are 17 or 18 years old. I know from personal experience how tough it is to go through school being big, but I also think it made me what I am today. Will they get picked on? Probably, but all kids get picked on for one thing or another. I believe you are a good mom and are just wanting the best for your kids, but I just think its too young to make a decision like that for them. They could say they want it now and end up resenting you over it. These surgeries really effect people emotionally, and with the psych evals and what not, I wouldn't think a 12 year old could make a decision that like.
my RNY! It saved my life! 
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