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Topic: obese 11 year old--long, sorry!
This is my first visit over to this forum. I'm hoping that someone can relate to our situation and share their hints, ideas, successes.
My 11-yo son has to lose weight. He's been overweight for the past couple years and, while we haven't been in denial about it, I was very hesitant to 'talk" about it. I was an overweight child and was tormented by my family members because of it. I had zero self esteem going into teenhood. I do not want to do that to my son.
What I have done is make sure that there are healthy eating choices available to him. I haven't "monitored" his eating. I make sure that he is active daily. He's pretty athletic anyway, despite his excess weight.
We had our yearly trip to the pediatrician a few days ago. I knew it was going to be brought up as an issue, and I am glad the doctor addressed his weight with both of us. He has a BMI of 30. He hasn't had a major growth spurt yet, but he is on the taller than average side. The doctor spoke to both of us about the importance of getting at least 30 mins of cardio activity (continuous) in every day. My son is very active, but I can honestly say that his activity is not always cardio based or continuous. So we have agreed, as a family, that is something we will help each other with. Friday, my husband took him for a bike ride that was pretty vigorous. Yesterday, he rode his bike around the track while I did a 45 minute walk. Today, because the weather is bad, I set the kitchen timer and he chose to walk around the house, up and down stairs, plugged into his Ipod. It got boring after 15 mins, so I agreed to let him do the other 15 mins later.
Any ideas on keeping a child interested in exercise for weightloss? Does anyone use a chart or take measurements as incentive? I have changed my attitude, somewhat. His weight/our weights and getting healthy are something we HAVE to talk openly about and work together on improving. I just have to figure out how I can make this a positive experience. How can I let him see his efforts are paying off? Will he ever take the initiative to get in his 30 mins, or will I always need to be the "organizer" of this? My older son, who is 20, has been exercising on his own, totally self-motivated, since he was about 15. I'm not sure if this self-motivation thing is age related or personality related.
Anyway, thanks for listening. I feel very sad that my child has to deal with the same issue I had to deal with as a child. I guess I can say, though, that he's fortunate to have a family that is willing to partner with him to be healthy, instead of just making fun of him.
Julie
My 11-yo son has to lose weight. He's been overweight for the past couple years and, while we haven't been in denial about it, I was very hesitant to 'talk" about it. I was an overweight child and was tormented by my family members because of it. I had zero self esteem going into teenhood. I do not want to do that to my son.
What I have done is make sure that there are healthy eating choices available to him. I haven't "monitored" his eating. I make sure that he is active daily. He's pretty athletic anyway, despite his excess weight.
We had our yearly trip to the pediatrician a few days ago. I knew it was going to be brought up as an issue, and I am glad the doctor addressed his weight with both of us. He has a BMI of 30. He hasn't had a major growth spurt yet, but he is on the taller than average side. The doctor spoke to both of us about the importance of getting at least 30 mins of cardio activity (continuous) in every day. My son is very active, but I can honestly say that his activity is not always cardio based or continuous. So we have agreed, as a family, that is something we will help each other with. Friday, my husband took him for a bike ride that was pretty vigorous. Yesterday, he rode his bike around the track while I did a 45 minute walk. Today, because the weather is bad, I set the kitchen timer and he chose to walk around the house, up and down stairs, plugged into his Ipod. It got boring after 15 mins, so I agreed to let him do the other 15 mins later.
Any ideas on keeping a child interested in exercise for weightloss? Does anyone use a chart or take measurements as incentive? I have changed my attitude, somewhat. His weight/our weights and getting healthy are something we HAVE to talk openly about and work together on improving. I just have to figure out how I can make this a positive experience. How can I let him see his efforts are paying off? Will he ever take the initiative to get in his 30 mins, or will I always need to be the "organizer" of this? My older son, who is 20, has been exercising on his own, totally self-motivated, since he was about 15. I'm not sure if this self-motivation thing is age related or personality related.
Anyway, thanks for listening. I feel very sad that my child has to deal with the same issue I had to deal with as a child. I guess I can say, though, that he's fortunate to have a family that is willing to partner with him to be healthy, instead of just making fun of him.
Julie
Topic: RE: Frustrated with my daughter's pediatrician
I say take her to another doctor.
Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known.
Carl Sagan
Topic: RE: Bone Scan
Yes, my son had to have a bone scan. They were looking at his knees most of all to make sure that the joints had completly formed.
They also made him have a heart test, and have a psych evaluation, and see a nutritionist.
He also had to take Prescription Actigall and Prevacid for 6 months following the surgery since I wanted them to keep his gall bladder in. This medication was to insure he did not form gall stones. The doctor would have removed his Gall Bladder if it was showing sign of damage. But it was not damaged.
Your doctor may have you take the medication ursodiol (Actigall), which dissolves cholesterol stones over a period of time".
and Prevacid to avoid ulcers, and sever acid reflux.
They also made him have a heart test, and have a psych evaluation, and see a nutritionist.
He also had to take Prescription Actigall and Prevacid for 6 months following the surgery since I wanted them to keep his gall bladder in. This medication was to insure he did not form gall stones. The doctor would have removed his Gall Bladder if it was showing sign of damage. But it was not damaged.
Your doctor may have you take the medication ursodiol (Actigall), which dissolves cholesterol stones over a period of time".
and Prevacid to avoid ulcers, and sever acid reflux.
Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known.
Carl Sagan
Topic: RE: My 15 year old son - 1 year post-op pics
Hi Jay,
He walks so much more now. But basically it was the surgery that helped him lose the weight. Prior to the surgery he was taking Psychiatrist prescribed Wellbutrin. But he had to take a very high dose of it. He lost 70 pound prior to the actual surgery date.
Once the surgery was over he was very happy to quit the Wellbutrin. He did not like the way it made him feel.
Once the weight started coming off he began to swim and lift weights. But mostly he walks.
And he is very committed to drinking lots of water, taking his vitamins and supplements, and following a high protein diet. He has had a much easier time changing his relationship with food than those of us who are older and have years and years of dysfunctional eating habits we much stop. And many don't even with having had the surgery.
What amazes me as a former obese child, and then an obese adult who had the surgery was to watch him go from being an obese child to a thin child. His outlook on life has changed a great deal. Far less depression, and low self-esteem. It's almost like he can't even remember what it was like to be overweight.
Good luck to you. And feel free to keep asking questions. I love to help.
He walks so much more now. But basically it was the surgery that helped him lose the weight. Prior to the surgery he was taking Psychiatrist prescribed Wellbutrin. But he had to take a very high dose of it. He lost 70 pound prior to the actual surgery date.
Once the surgery was over he was very happy to quit the Wellbutrin. He did not like the way it made him feel.
Once the weight started coming off he began to swim and lift weights. But mostly he walks.
And he is very committed to drinking lots of water, taking his vitamins and supplements, and following a high protein diet. He has had a much easier time changing his relationship with food than those of us who are older and have years and years of dysfunctional eating habits we much stop. And many don't even with having had the surgery.
What amazes me as a former obese child, and then an obese adult who had the surgery was to watch him go from being an obese child to a thin child. His outlook on life has changed a great deal. Far less depression, and low self-esteem. It's almost like he can't even remember what it was like to be overweight.
Good luck to you. And feel free to keep asking questions. I love to help.
Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known.
Carl Sagan
Topic: RE: hello
Hello Tiffanie. I'm Jay. Congrats on the surgery and good luck. I am looking foward to meeting my dr on August 5.
Topic: RE: My 15 year old son - 1 year post-op pics
That's awesome. Does he work out alot, or did it all come off by diet?
Topic: My 15 year old son - 1 year post-op pics
Nigel had his surgery on July 23, 2007 by Dr. Posselt at UCSF.
Here are some before and after. And yes...he is very happy in his life right now...just being ultra cool. He is very social now. No more hiding in his room all the time.
He is being a typical teen. We have his one year appt. next week with Dr. Posselt. But he chews carefully, and takes his vitamins. And eats right. I'm very proud of him.
From a top weight of 410-420 to current of 195. 6 foot, 2 inches tall.
My son is doing beautifully now at one year out. He never throws up, or has bad gas. Dr. Posselt was able to leave the gall bladder and appendix in when he did the surgery. And I am pretty sure he did a shorter (I mean, more lower intestine is still there, so MORE absorption) by-pass as I had wanted him to only do the Sleeve on Nigel with no by-pass of the intestine. So we compromised, and I am very happy that we did. Dr. Posselt also used the Antecolic technique for his RNY stomach, and I think this has made a huge difference. (see more info below on the differences).
Nigel was also in the early stages of Diabetes, and I'm sure high blood pressure. He is now at 194 pounds, and looks great. Certainly some hanging skin issues, but he looks very handsome when he is dressed. He will need some reconstructive surgery down the line.
I am very proud of how well my son follows directions - he chews carefully, and carries water with him all the time. We will be taking him in a few days for his one year check up, and testing. I can't wait to see the look on his doctor's faces!!!!
*****************************************************
Regarding the two different RNY techniques
A greater incidence of intestinal obstruction and internal hernia was observed in the retrocolic technique group than in the antecolic technique group undergoing LRYGB. The results of our study have shown that the use of the retrocolic technique is a risk factor for intestinal obstruction after LRYGB.
Antecolic vs. Retrocolic surgery technique
Here are some before and after. And yes...he is very happy in his life right now...just being ultra cool. He is very social now. No more hiding in his room all the time.
He is being a typical teen. We have his one year appt. next week with Dr. Posselt. But he chews carefully, and takes his vitamins. And eats right. I'm very proud of him.
From a top weight of 410-420 to current of 195. 6 foot, 2 inches tall.
My son is doing beautifully now at one year out. He never throws up, or has bad gas. Dr. Posselt was able to leave the gall bladder and appendix in when he did the surgery. And I am pretty sure he did a shorter (I mean, more lower intestine is still there, so MORE absorption) by-pass as I had wanted him to only do the Sleeve on Nigel with no by-pass of the intestine. So we compromised, and I am very happy that we did. Dr. Posselt also used the Antecolic technique for his RNY stomach, and I think this has made a huge difference. (see more info below on the differences).
Nigel was also in the early stages of Diabetes, and I'm sure high blood pressure. He is now at 194 pounds, and looks great. Certainly some hanging skin issues, but he looks very handsome when he is dressed. He will need some reconstructive surgery down the line.
I am very proud of how well my son follows directions - he chews carefully, and carries water with him all the time. We will be taking him in a few days for his one year check up, and testing. I can't wait to see the look on his doctor's faces!!!!
*****************************************************
Regarding the two different RNY techniques
A greater incidence of intestinal obstruction and internal hernia was observed in the retrocolic technique group than in the antecolic technique group undergoing LRYGB. The results of our study have shown that the use of the retrocolic technique is a risk factor for intestinal obstruction after LRYGB.
Antecolic vs. Retrocolic surgery technique
Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known.
Carl Sagan
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