15 year old---- Getting Lapband SOON!!!

Hello,  I am a 15 year old male and I have been struggling with my weight all my life ( short I know ) and I am in the process of getting lapband surgery.  Today I just called insurance and they said I was APPROVED for lapband!!!!!!!  Now i have to lose 20 pounds before my surgery date. I am going on a 800 calorie liquid diet so hopefully that will help. Today or tomorrow i am getting my surgery date and pre op visit date...... Anybody have any tips for me???? What happens if you dont achieve the 20 pound goal? free to email me at [email protected] Thank You Nate King Cleveland,Ohio

Hey Nate, Congrats on your approval.  We've had a lot of guys here who have had a lot of success with the lap band who I'm sure will be able to give you some advice. I was always big in high school and I know that it can be tough.  Hopefully the lap band will be the tool to help you win this fight. I had to do a liquid diet to lose weight pre-op as well.  I'm not gonna lie to you...it was pretty rough.  Fortunately, I kinda liked protein shakes, and I would blend them up with some ice to fill me up. Good luck and drop by if you have any questions. Scott M

Oh, and start walking as much as you can now and stick to it.  You'll be amazed how quick you will build up your stamina and it will really help you drop the pounds. Scott M

THANK YOU!!! I JUST GOT MY SURGERY DATE IT IS ON MARCH 21st, 2007 at Cleveland CLINIC  I CANT WAIT!!!!!!!!!!

Nate, Welcome to The Men’s Message Board as our youngest Member!!! Have the Greatest ever on March 21^st! It’ll be here before you know it. By next football season and the 2-a-day summer practice, You should be up and going with less gravity. The Pre-Op liquid diet is tough. Hang in There! Sugar Free popsicles will help a lot!!! Drop out any questions or thoughts… This bunch is pretty free with sharing what info they’ve found. Best Wishes-

I suppose that there are probably positives and negatives to having it done when you are so young.  Of course, I can't really think of any negatives at the moment.  Just make sure that you stick to the plan and allow the surgery to help you.  This is pretty much a one shot deal so as long as you know what you are getting into, you'll be fine.  Good luck to you. Scott

Nate!

Welcome to the Men's board. At 15, just about any exercise you do with that 800 calories diet is going to make the weight peel off. Most important thing is that you don't do something that is going to injure you. A lof of heavy guys do water walking or swimming or ride bikes to get the weight off.

Shoot for the 20 lbs, but as long as you don't gain, you should be okay.

Dave

Nate: Welcome and congrats on your decision. Teen obesity is a serious health risk, not to mention the emotional damage it brings on. You have taken a major step to reverse and manage this serious health issue. Many fellow men on this forum have great success with your proceedure, all of the men have positive results and major everyday "victiories" in moving to a healthy weight anf lifetyle. The emotional freedom which awaits you is beyond description, imagine not beingt the "fat Guy", imagine feeling comfortable in your boday, imagine feeling normal for the first time in many years. You can look forward to being attractive, smiling alot, laughing alot, and feeling "powerfull" in a very healthy way. I am so excited for you, and want you to know the men on this board will be here for you and you will never have to feel alone in this struggle again. Welcome !!!!! Kev-

Dear Nate, Welcome to the Men's Board. I agree that starting to walk everyday would be very helpful to you.  When I was pre-op my doctor wanted me to lose at least 10 lbs. before surgery to shrink the liver and make the surgery easier.  He said that if I didn't lose the weight, he would not operate. That gave me the motivation that I needed.  I exceeded his recommendation.  I'm 8 weeks post-op now and doing great. This board is a great resource.  Please let us know if we can answer any other questions for you.

Howdy Nate!  Congratulations on coming to the decision that you, like most of us, need a little bit more help than some others when it comes to keeping a healthy body weight and lifestyle going.  15 is mighty young, but I'm sure you've been all through the discussions and decisions with your parents and your doctors.  Best advise...THERE ARE NO RULES THAT CAN BE IGNORED.  I'm learning that lesson still today at very nearly 1 year out.  In fact my 1st "surgiversary" is on your surgery day March 21st.  You're going to be getting but ONE of TWO very important tools installed in your belly...the other is your brain!  Use the knowledge the surgeon's office lays on you...use the support groups in your area, get on the road to exercising faithfully, surround yourself with positive people.  Follow these guidelines and you'll be well on your way to a fantastic year! Become a regular on this little board.  This Men's "Locker Room" is a great place to get that little chop busting dose of assistance when it's needed, it's a fantastic source of real-life info.  You might have to remind us once in awhile of your age...don't hesitate!  Good luck, and if you have any band specific questions or fears lay them out there...there are a few banders in here that have used it for phenominal success...and then a few like me that started off great guns and have let old habits creep back in....you're going to hear the saying "it's only a tool" over and over and over again..but guess what, that's because it should become your mantra!  Study your band, learn the rules by heart and go for it!!