The fact is that you can accomplish losing fat and keeping it off, it just requires you to change your entire lifestyle (doesn't that sound easy ?). Seriously though, even if it takes a year or even two years to get where you need to be, it will worth it in the end. Weight loss is not an end, you won't get to where you want and then go back to how you live now and expect to keep the weight off. It truly is a journey that lasts the rest of your life. The good news is that you're extremely young which will benefit your adult life with the health changes you make now.

As for being "healthy," fat does not automatically cause the co-morbidities. In fact, someone may be obese for many years or even decades before the co-morbidities (high blood pressure, diabetes, etc.) start to occur. It is a degenerative issue that causes it's problems years down the road. It is important to lose the fat and keep it off.

What does that entail though? Well, you have to start exercising and eating correctly. It will take time and it can be extremely frustrating. But knowing that you are helping your body by exercising and eating correctly should be enough to keep it going. Get some friends and create social activities out of exercising, anything to keep it fun and enjoyable where you'll keep coming back. Find something you enjoy, no matter what it is. Eating correctly is not as hard as you think either. There are tons of recipes online that are as healthy as they are tasty.

I hope I helped!

Hi Shanelle, I have discussed this with my daughter as well... She has been overweight since early childhood.  I am a Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy patient.  It doesn't have the lifetime malabsorption and other issues that the RNY and DS have.  I talked to her about this option because it allows you to lead a normal life, just eat less.  But it doesn't restrict what you eat, just how much.  She decided against it for the same reason, she felt she was too young, but I was glad I gave her the option and let her choose for herself.  She recently turned 21 and over the last year she started working full time at Whole Foods Market, moved out on her own and has become more active just cleaning her own house and walking her new dog.  When I talked to her this weekend, she said she has just bought a pair of Size 11 jeans for the first time in her life.  She sounded so happy!  I can't be prouder of her that she is making good food choices and just staying so busy running around living life that the weight is coming off.  She sounds happy and I think she made the right choice for her.  One thing we have discussed is the life time struggle of "keeping the weight off".  Statistically, taking the weight off can be accomplished, but keeping the weight off seems to be the issue.  Taking the weight off just seems to lead to a lifetime of gaining it back and taking it back off etc...  She realizes if she keeps gaining the weight  back that VSG may be an option for her in the future.  In a way I think it keeps her motivated to stay active =)  She is scared of surgery and rightfully so, weight loss surgery is major surgery and should not be done lightly.  It does take serious thought and consideration.  You sound very mature and I am sure you will make the decision that is right for you.  Good luck with your journey =)

hey! I'm 18 yrs. old i had Gastric RNY in March, i've lost 52lbs since.  I'd research more on it. Its a BIG step ecspiaclly for people our age, its life changing.  Some surgeons will do someone your age but some don't.  If you would like to chat more email me. Good Luck,  Tiffany

Hey,

Im 18 about to turn 19 yrs old. I have an idea my surgeon Dr.Fielding is located in NYC, he is one of the lead lap band surgeons and he operates at NYU medical center. I know they are one of the few centers that are running FDA trials on teen lap banding and if he quilifys for the study its free. You might want to check that out. If you google Dr.George Fielding NYU program for surgical weight loss they mite be able to help. If not and you run into cornor let me know as I am currently writing a teen obesity book which is being co-authored with surgeons,ect.. at Columbia med center.... I might be able to raise the money to have the surgery paid for. Feel free to email me [email protected]

Good Luck,

Cortney 

How about trading exercise time for time on the game? But not equal. One hour of strenuous exercise (basketball, running, handball, tennis) for 15 minutes of gaming. EARN the right to veg, young person! It's worth it if it means not having the child on high blood pressure meds or cholesterol control... I LOVE kids.