Advice Needed

I am a 17 year old male in Central NJ. I am looking to get some sort of weight loss surgery. I have tried several diets, some being liquid, etc. I have seen a nutritionist. Nothing has worked. I weight about 300 pounds now and need to do something. I have a history of obesity in my family. I have sleep apnia and insulin resistance. I also have stomache trouble and have history of stomache cancer in my family. I have really good insurance. Lately I have been feeling really tired and out of breath. My BP has been high and SPO2 has been low. I need to do something. I am not sure how to find a doctor in my area, or find out what type of surgery I want. I would like to do it in June, but I guess the sooner the better. I need to do something! Any help would be appreciated! You can e-mail me at [email protected]. I am also worried about If I can and will stick to the diet after the surgery.

hi my name is Leann and i am 17 too, considering you are so sick i think you would have a good chance of being qualified to have the surgery and a good chance your insurance will cove it...i know there is somewhere on this site where you can find a surgeon or go onto yhour local hospital site or call and see if they have a bariatrics dept. they will be able to help you...i am going to be getting the gastric bypass surgery soon and in my opinion i think that is the best surgery because the lap band has many bad sides to it even though it is the less evasive procedure...and about sticking to the diet... if you get the gastric bypass there is something called dumping syndrome where you get soooo sick it is the worse thing...you will learn the hard way if you get dumping syndrome once...feel free to e-mail me id like to talk more...

Hey, I'm Laura, I'm not a teen anymore, but I understand where you are coming from. I started looking into the surgery when I was your age. I was 478 and had sleep apnea, arthritis, and a few other comorbid conditions. I had RNY when I was 18. Honestly, I was terrified, but I'm 21 now, and doing amazing. It really changed my life, yes there is dumping syndrome, and if you overeat, you can throw up. But the most amazing thing I've discovered, I don't want the sweets anymore, I don't want to overeat. Occassionally I still eat too fast, or forget how much I can eat, but its rare. If you seriously want a way out, you can find it, and if you want help, just look here, the people are great. E-mail me if you want. I would be more than happy to talk you through everything. Those of us under 30 need to stick together and good for you on even looking into this! Good luck and God bless! Laura

Hey, this WLS was the best thing I have ever did. I was reading your post and I waited till I was 31 to do it. I wish I would of had it when I was your age. You will so enjoy the rest of your life after WLS. I had it when I weighed 302 ILBS, that was 6 months ago and I am down to 179 now. Good Luck, I know my Dr's were great and not too far from you, check them out and good luck. Mike

Hey Jonathan, If you go to my blog www.kylieswls.blogspot.com and if you go to the very very very first entry back in Feburary you can read how I got started. Hope it helps. And when it comes to deciding on a surgery the internet is your best friend TONS of information. Especially on this site just look around and prepare to read alot Hope everything works out for you. I just turned 17 on August 1st. I've been going through the process of getting the surgery since June 2005. I have a surgery date of September 14th. Well take care email me if you like [email protected]

Reading your post I must tell you that rarely will a surgeon operate on someone that's under 18. Unless it's the most serious of conditions. Now...no one here can tell you what sugery is best for you. Believe me please see your PCP first. There are people *****cieve or give false info. about other surgeries and you should research ALL surgery! There is the RNY, Fobi Pouch, DS, VBG, Lap band, ect. There are many options. Good Luck to you! Make sure you talk to your PCP about a referral, and express your interest in WLS. Good Luck!!