Long Post: 15 y/o Young Man Seeking WLS...
Hey guys! The name is Samuel and I've been looking for information on WLS since last July. I've been obese much of my young and I had a feeling about being bigger than everyone else in my age bracket since pre-K. Sadly yes. We had little tricycles at the school and it was harder for me to sit on it and pedal compared to the rest of my friends. It was more evident in racing in them because I would always finish last and would sometimes get lapped.
Things got worse in elementary school. Not because of the being bullied, but I couldn't do things others did easily. Like run, swing on the swing sets, or play on the jungle gem. It was worst in middle school when I felt like I didn't have any friends and hated being fat. Now it is better in high achool, but I still hate being fat.
During summer break after freshmen year, I randomly Googled 'weight loss surgery'. The first results were info on the gastric bypass. I spent days reading about and didn't really understand it clearly until I found OH. When I found it, I read about people with it. They did suffer from hypoglycemia and "dumping", but I thought if it would help me lose weight, I would deal with the side effects.
I had that mindset until I started searching OH more. That's when I found the DS forum. There I was reading the last 50 pages of post and was like this is the needed surgery. I knew there was the high vitamin cost and potential for severe malabsorption problems, but you must take risks to get rewards. At this time I wasn't a member of OH and for some reason decided to wait until my bday, August 31st to sign up. Afterschool on my bday, I signed up to OH and posted about myself and my small journey on the DS forum. To my surprise a lot of people respected me and said for my age I'm mature and knew a lot of info on the DS compared to other adults.
I was set on wanting the DS in the future , but was toof by some that it may not be a good idea to have malabsorption and still growing. So I went to the VSG forum and told my story there. I actually found a girl that was 16 y/o and just had the VSG. Everyone there welcomed me, but two months later went back to the DS forum. The reason why ie because I still knew it was best for me and I didn't want to have to risk having to cut twice and pay twice.
Now, I have mentioned WLS to my mom, but didn't say anything in response. So, when we go to the Dr.s on the 12th, I'll bring it up to her and my mom and if she thinks it is a good idea, my mom will determine if I can strive for it before I go to college. If I can't get it by then, then I'll try to get it during college. I don't know how, but I'll get there. And this is the story of my short WLS journey. I've been stocking here for awhile and waited for today to post this. Sorry it is long.
Things got worse in elementary school. Not because of the being bullied, but I couldn't do things others did easily. Like run, swing on the swing sets, or play on the jungle gem. It was worst in middle school when I felt like I didn't have any friends and hated being fat. Now it is better in high achool, but I still hate being fat.
During summer break after freshmen year, I randomly Googled 'weight loss surgery'. The first results were info on the gastric bypass. I spent days reading about and didn't really understand it clearly until I found OH. When I found it, I read about people with it. They did suffer from hypoglycemia and "dumping", but I thought if it would help me lose weight, I would deal with the side effects.
I had that mindset until I started searching OH more. That's when I found the DS forum. There I was reading the last 50 pages of post and was like this is the needed surgery. I knew there was the high vitamin cost and potential for severe malabsorption problems, but you must take risks to get rewards. At this time I wasn't a member of OH and for some reason decided to wait until my bday, August 31st to sign up. Afterschool on my bday, I signed up to OH and posted about myself and my small journey on the DS forum. To my surprise a lot of people respected me and said for my age I'm mature and knew a lot of info on the DS compared to other adults.
I was set on wanting the DS in the future , but was toof by some that it may not be a good idea to have malabsorption and still growing. So I went to the VSG forum and told my story there. I actually found a girl that was 16 y/o and just had the VSG. Everyone there welcomed me, but two months later went back to the DS forum. The reason why ie because I still knew it was best for me and I didn't want to have to risk having to cut twice and pay twice.
Now, I have mentioned WLS to my mom, but didn't say anything in response. So, when we go to the Dr.s on the 12th, I'll bring it up to her and my mom and if she thinks it is a good idea, my mom will determine if I can strive for it before I go to college. If I can't get it by then, then I'll try to get it during college. I don't know how, but I'll get there. And this is the story of my short WLS journey. I've been stocking here for awhile and waited for today to post this. Sorry it is long.
Samuel E.
5'10
300 to 310lbs
A teenager seeking the VSG.
OneFinger
on 3/4/12 2:28 am
on 3/4/12 2:28 am
Samuel,
Looks like you've done a lot a good researching. Great job.
I was always the fat kid growing up and the doc actually put me on a 1,000 calorie diet when I was about 9 or 10 years old. I followed that diet faithfully but the results were minimal.
I'm not sure the pros and cons of WLS on someone your age. But, I'm glad you're discussing with your doc and Mom. I'm sure the surgery could not be performed without parental consent.
Another thing you need to start researching is the insurance requirements. I'm assuming you're covered under a family policy and that particular policy might not cover WLS. In that event you'd need to self-pay. My RNY surgery was covered by insurance. But, the cost for self-pay would have been $25-35K.
So, it might be helpful for you to start a WLS savings program. That would help keep you motivated on your goal and provide funds to assist if your insurance won't cover it. But, I suspect that most doctors wouldn't be comfortable doing the surgery until you're close to college age. You've probably got 3-4 years to start saving up for it.
Good luck.
Looks like you've done a lot a good researching. Great job.
I was always the fat kid growing up and the doc actually put me on a 1,000 calorie diet when I was about 9 or 10 years old. I followed that diet faithfully but the results were minimal.
I'm not sure the pros and cons of WLS on someone your age. But, I'm glad you're discussing with your doc and Mom. I'm sure the surgery could not be performed without parental consent.
Another thing you need to start researching is the insurance requirements. I'm assuming you're covered under a family policy and that particular policy might not cover WLS. In that event you'd need to self-pay. My RNY surgery was covered by insurance. But, the cost for self-pay would have been $25-35K.
So, it might be helpful for you to start a WLS savings program. That would help keep you motivated on your goal and provide funds to assist if your insurance won't cover it. But, I suspect that most doctors wouldn't be comfortable doing the surgery until you're close to college age. You've probably got 3-4 years to start saving up for it.
Good luck.
High Weight = 310 Surgery Weight = 300 Dr's Goal = 200 My Goal = 190 
I forgot to mention I'm covered under my mom's insurance, which is UHC of GA since she is an employer of the state. Sadly, I spent a day researching on Google and the GA forum on here and the state stop covering WLS on January 1, 2012. I also looked at BCBS of GA because my dad might get insurance through them, but they don't cover WLS either. One of the expert DSers with a law background said I could get it covered if it was a medical necessity stated by my doctor if I seriously need it, but then I believe the insurance could still deny it. Plus I'm not in a life or death situation.
Samuel E.
5'10
300 to 310lbs
A teenager seeking the VSG.
OneFinger
on 3/4/12 3:16 am
on 3/4/12 3:16 am
Glad you're researching the insurance issue.
Whenever you talk with someone at the insurance company be sure to document it with date, time, and name of who you talked with. And, believe nothing they tell you and only what they put in writing.
When I was in my early 20's I had a growth removed that my doc suspected was cancerous. They insurance told me on the phone they'd cover it. But, after the surgery, the biopsy indicated it was non-cancerous and the insurance denied coverage saying it was not a medical necessity.
I appealed their decision but it was denied. I ended up with medical bills that took me years to pay. Be sure to get everything in writing from the insurance.
FYI, my WLS clinic was very helpful in working with my insurance company and getting written approval. Once you find a WLS doc, see if they can help with the insurance paperwork.
Whenever you talk with someone at the insurance company be sure to document it with date, time, and name of who you talked with. And, believe nothing they tell you and only what they put in writing.
When I was in my early 20's I had a growth removed that my doc suspected was cancerous. They insurance told me on the phone they'd cover it. But, after the surgery, the biopsy indicated it was non-cancerous and the insurance denied coverage saying it was not a medical necessity.
I appealed their decision but it was denied. I ended up with medical bills that took me years to pay. Be sure to get everything in writing from the insurance.
FYI, my WLS clinic was very helpful in working with my insurance company and getting written approval. Once you find a WLS doc, see if they can help with the insurance paperwork.
High Weight = 310 Surgery Weight = 300 Dr's Goal = 200 My Goal = 190
Welcome Samuel! It is really great to see someone so young taking so much time to do your research. I have told lots of folks who are considering WLS, that if there is one piece of advice, it would be "DO YOUR RESEARCH!" If you do your research, you will be much more successful. (Research into type of surgery, which surgeon to use, what side effects of surgery, what to eat, what not to eat, etc)
Congratualtions on beginning the long road to better health. Don't give up. It might take years, but it will be worth it in the end.
Hang in there!
Congratualtions on beginning the long road to better health. Don't give up. It might take years, but it will be worth it in the end.
Hang in there!
HW: 429 SW: 380 Height: 5'08"
Hey Samuel, glad to see you doing your homework. This is an incredible journey that you are thinking about embarking on and not one to be taken lightly. I can totally relate to being the "fat kid" growing up and understand what you are going through as I have been overweight for as long as I can remember. You are doing the right thing by discussing it with your Dr first and make sure that your Dr. listens to you and understands why you want to have this surgery.
Keep in mind that this is not a quick fix and is something that you will have for the rest of your life. It is not a magic bullet and you will still need to watch your diet and exercise with this new "tool". Don't get me wrong you can still enjoy and eat most anything over time but if you are anything like others on this forum some of the things that you absolutely love now will not be so appetizing after surgery. Either they will make you sick or you just lose the cravings for them. For me it was fried clams and fried chicken. I can eat both now but honestly don't enjoy them as much as I used to. Maybe its part of knowing what is involved with the fatty foods now to actually eating slowly and mindfully and not enjoying chewing that food to where there is pieces of whatever left over in your mouth (which in the past would have likely been just swallowed and land in my belly
).
Anyway, best of luck. Keep your chin up and know that you have a lot of brothers who have been right where you are now. Good Luck and don't hesitate to ask any questions at all!
Keep in mind that this is not a quick fix and is something that you will have for the rest of your life. It is not a magic bullet and you will still need to watch your diet and exercise with this new "tool". Don't get me wrong you can still enjoy and eat most anything over time but if you are anything like others on this forum some of the things that you absolutely love now will not be so appetizing after surgery. Either they will make you sick or you just lose the cravings for them. For me it was fried clams and fried chicken. I can eat both now but honestly don't enjoy them as much as I used to. Maybe its part of knowing what is involved with the fatty foods now to actually eating slowly and mindfully and not enjoying chewing that food to where there is pieces of whatever left over in your mouth (which in the past would have likely been just swallowed and land in my belly
).Anyway, best of luck. Keep your chin up and know that you have a lot of brothers who have been right where you are now. Good Luck and don't hesitate to ask any questions at all!
9/9/09: Highest Weight: 506.5 lbs 9/20/10: Tufts Start Weight: 492.4 lbs
2/7/11: Surgery Wt: 462.5 lbs. 9/16/12: Current Weight: 287.8 lbs.
4/15/12: First 5K - BAA 5K - PR 35:49
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