MY TEEN IS OBESE: MAY I HAVE SOME INFORMATION?

My teen boy is 13 and weighs 210 lbs. I want to do something about his weight. I have tried for him to eat healthier but he just doesn't like veggies or fruits...He is very active but he doesn't lose weight. Please cany any teen out there help me with some advice or suggestions on Weight Loss surgeries for his age? Thank you, Monica

hey there. my name is meghan. i can help you out. im right now posting from the hospital and will be here a while. but i bet you anything i can help!!!!im pretty sure i could talk him into it. and especially into dieting. well email me at [email protected] meghan andresen

Hi Monica, Im Meagan.... I was in the same boat as your son is... I still am at 19 I am 320lbs... There are some some surgeons that will operate on younger teens... the youngest I have heard of was 14 but there might be ones out there younger... as for types of surgery... its a personal decision... I Hope I have helped some!!! Email me at [email protected] if you need any more help!!! Meagan -Self-Pay- waiting on consult

Hey Monica... I was 18 when I had the Lap-Band and my surgeon was eager to do it. If you think about it, its good publicity for them. Starting on teenagers when they are young is kind of like trial and error. Figure out what works and how they can learn from it. Although, I do know of a surgeon that does the band in Mexico and he started on a few kids when they were 11 years old. Ironically, this kid is now a pro basketball player. I will try and find his name for you.... ~*megan*~

Monica, I know having your young son at that weight at such a young age is difficult, but I don't believe surgery is an option you need to consider yet. Granted, he doesn't like to eat healthier, but maybe take him to a nutritionist? There are many other options that he can try...he's only 13, surgery at that age could be traumatizing for him when he's older, especially if there are other ways around it that don't involve medications and such. If eating is his problem, then he needs a stricter routine at meals, that's all...some advice from specialists would be great. I am still pre-op, but I do know that any type of surgery requires mental preparation and he needs to be prepared and willing to make sacrifices. Even with surgery, he would have to change to a healthier diet...it's not an easy way out, it's a tool.. I really hope you will consider all of your options with your son before turning to surgery..I believe that it should be a last resort because whether it's reversible or not, there will always be other irreversible effects that come from it. I hope this helps, and I wish you all the best Aleya

If you want to consider surgery an option, I would point you toward the Lap Band. It's the least invasive, and it doesn't change how the body works, which I would think would be important since he's so young. That said, with any of the surgeries, he is going to have to change how he eats. When your intake is limited, it's important that it's good healthy food, with enough protein etc. Also, if he were to have surgery and then continue to eat poorly, he would not see the results that you want. I only say all that because if he wont eat right now, he may also not comply with the rules that come with having weight loss surgery, you know? Sarah

Monica, i hope this helps you out! the choice on surgery is really up to you and your son, i just recently had my surgery just a little over 4 months ago and i have lost 75 lbs... but i also was 340 before my surgery... but if you do decied to try for the surgery you might have some difficulties becasue i was 16 and i had been denied twice just becasue of my age.... best wishes ~ michelle

Monica, Hi, my name is Lap. I've researched the surgery for over a year before I finally decided to undergo. Generally, most surgeons will NOT operate on anyone under 16 years of age. In my personal opinion, I feel THAT may even be too young. This life changing operation will improve his health, but as a 13 year old child, he will not be able to grasp the psychological, emotional, and physical changes that will occur. I am nearly 24 years of age, as mature as a 30 year old, and still find that there are some things that come along with the surgery, that I was not fully prepared for. Alot of people feel this surgery is just a quick fix. Plop under the knife and your cured. No. There are alot of psychological issues that us overweight folk carry around on our shoulders. Your son will still need to battle those problems. Not only that, but he will be going through the odd years of his life, puberty and all that, as well as dealing with the onslaught of issues that the surgery will bring on him. I would definitely recommend another route for him in the meantime. Some people twice my age still can't handle all that comes along with the surgery.