Support needed for my teen

Hi i had wls on 4-16-2004 i lost from 278 to 135. Problem i now feel guilty my teen is also overweight 220 she is 16 we are working on getting this for her but dr. ins co and family act like teens dont deserve this chance at a new better life its so much harder for her than it was for me she has had to go through way more. I pray everyday it works but have a hard time understanding as a wls patient myself why everyone is so against it for teens she is vey mature which i belive is the most important thing any response or support is hlpful thanks

Angela, I want to tell you first off, that you are a great mother, for being so supportive. I also am 16, but weight a lot more than your teen, and my parents don't want anything to do with my decision. For my insurance, which is OHIP, because I am Canadian, you have to have a certian BMI [body mass index]. It's around 50, so I've been stuffing my face with food so that I can get approved. Not a good idea. However, every insurace is different. Also, when applying for your insurance, you may need to provide them with a hospital - The Clevland Clinic does youth surgery. I hate how no one truly understands what's it like to be an obese teen these days. We can't go clothes shopping with friends. We in genreal don't like to hang out in public, because people point, laugh and stare like you have something written on your forehead. No one wants to be friends with the "fat person" because status is everything. Haniging out with a fat person, may ruin ones reputation. Although in Canada, I don't think it's too much of a problem, but when I see videos of High Schools in America, I just feel blessed that I don't have to deal with that. I would so apply for insurance before it get's too late. She's at the perfect age where her skin is going to be very eleasticy, and will a lot of energy to work out and what not. Whatever you decide to do, good luck, and if you need any opinions from a teens perspective, just let me know! Good luck.

I know it must be hard for your daughter. I understand because I am 5'4 , 288pounds, with a bmi of 49.4. I'm 17 years old. my advice for you and your daughter is to keep trying and don't worry about what other people think. If your daughter has been overweight her whole life as I am, then she has to lost her youth. I don't do normal things like go out and play basketball,and go swimming. I am ashamed at the way I look and the fact that i don't have the energy to do anything. Everyone has the right to be happy, but no overweight person is . They may act like it but they're not. I'm trying to get the surgery because I am Morbidly Obese and like your Daughter we are both headed in the wrong direction. You are a great mother to stick by you daughter, its hard to find people like you now a days. Just keep on what your doing dont give up hope. Your her shoulder to lean on. Good job Mom:clap:

Well, I had a similar problem. I wanted WLS around 16, but my family was against it and insurance wouldn't exactly cover it for a minor. So I waited until I turned 18, and then I had it. I have been successful and have lost half my body weight. There are both pros to having it at an early age, and cons. Being young when I had it, I of course heard all these things several times. -Pro- Can lose weight faster. Less health problems after, because they have not been MO for 20-30 years of their life. Body is still young, and can adjust to the surgery much easier. Those all sound great, and you would think that makes a young person a perfect candidate for surgery physically. But you can not ignore the mental part. -Con- This is a major life change, many teens are simply not prepared to change. Will the teen really be able to change their eating habits for life? Has the teen actually worked hard for years with diets and exercise? Does the teen actually fully realize how serious this operation is? Does the teen realize how much their life and social events will change? Will the teen actually hold true to following the rules, now eating/drinking what you are not supposed to? These are all factors that are looked at. And in general, most teens are not truely mature enough to go through the hardships and be a successful patient. Being morbidly obese alone, is not grounds for having this surgery. Because if you aren't mentally prepared, you will fail at this surgery, and you will gain your weight back. For me personally, when I almost didn't get approved at 18, because I was so young, and they didn't think I would be successful. That insulted me and I am probably more strict on myself than adult WLS patients, just to prove them wrong. Anyways, it is always important to look at the point of view of both sides.

I understand both of your frustration- but perhaps trying a liquid diet (like Optifast) will get the ball rolling) In two weeks she could probably loose 20 pounds- that combined with excercise will bring her down to 100 lbs easy. Surgery is a big decision. Even if your daughter is mature, it is still a really big thing for anyone to go through. I live in Canada and I have medicare and the doctors don't really want much to do with you until you are eighteen- even for my surgery, it seemed like they were waiting until I could sign the consent forms. They thought that my mom was pushing me and that she wanted it more than I did. So if I haven't persuade you to try otherwise, then I'd suggest that you have your daughter do most of the talking but that you show your support because that would show that she wants it. However I think you should try Option 1 first- 220 really isn't that bad. It's 21 lbs away from 199, about 58lbs from the average weight. You have to take it in small steps. I hope I've helped.

Angela, Most insurance, and obesity surgeons will not do surgery for anyone under 18. My surgeon WILL NOT do surgery on anyone under 18. I'm 17 at the time, and have to wait until November to get the process started. I should have my band by my b-day in April. Almost ALL insurance will not do surgery for a 16 yr. old. You have a better chance of waiting for her to be 17, or 18. Bring her to her PCP to document her wait issues so you can get the process done early. My mother is very supportive of my surgery idea. My dad lets my mom handle everything. He has awesome insurance so I guess I'm just happy with that. Good luck to your daughter!!

My granddaughter just had the lap band done by Dr Kuri in Mexico. She was a self pay. The doctor ,staff and hospital were top notch. The hospital was brand new and state of the art. Care was much better than you get here in the states. She had the surgery on saturday and came home the next day feeling great. Has lost 16 pounds in a month. Dr Kuri has done these surgeries for years amd has taught doctors in the states for do them. Good Luck