HI I wasn't going to say anything but i feel as if i should. Maybe i am getting the wrong impression. But if you are having any doubts any doubts at ALL you should put your surgery on hold and take time to think about it. Despite what people say you will be ok if you wait to have surgery. I am young too and I had it and i should have waited a while. You really need to think about it. If you have anxiety or are nervous or depressed about your upcomming surgery let me tell you that due to all the meds and physical changes that will be going on with your surgery post op most people become very very depressed anyway due to hormone releases from weight loss too. If you are depressed or anxious b4 surgery this will magnify BIG time if you aren't ready to handle it. Even if you think you can handle it emotionally. NOTHING can prepare you for all of the ups and downs in weight and emotion and life comming your way. I don't want to scare you or anything i am not anti surgery obviously nor am i trying to discourage you but take some time for yourself and be 100 percent sure because it is forever and you can't go back and you have to deal with a lot of severe health issues that may come and do occur in a percentage some severe nutritional issues that sometimes you can't prevent but you can try too. So if you are nervous i would put it off at least a few weeks or months if need be if you have some issues now the surgery will not deal with them but may quite possibly make them more magnified and worse due to more stress and losing a big coping skill. So think about everything and please deal with your issues first. Put surgery second it IS a big deal.

Shelly, please visit my  personal web page, MY WEB PAGE, find the navigation bar titled Children of Obesity. If you send me an email requesting an invitation, I will send one. You were the inspiration for creating this wiki and perhaps you and I together can build a great network of parents wanting to help each other, help our children. MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Hi Donna,  Thanks for your response.  I think it is such a struggle for young people to ask for help.  I know my daughter has and, like your son, hates it when I attempt to redirect her or remind her of her desires to eat healthy.  The immediate need/desire for food seems to outweigh the over-riding desire to lose weight.  I HATE that she is in this space - as I remember what it was like.  I had poor self esteem for many years and I don't want that for her.  I pray - like you - that a growth spurt comes and takes this away for her - but we both know if we don't help them change the bad habits - it will just be delayed into adulthood (their weight issues).  I hope we can get a support group together for parents of obese children (as suggeste below) - I think we could really put some steps in place to do the right thing for our kids.   NONE of us want to be hated - but sometimes parenting - (good parenting) involves a little of that in working toward a better future for our kids.  Many cyber (((((((((((((hugs)))))))))))))) Shelley

We have tried to get her involved in sports and she doesn't really feel passionate about any of those we have tried thus far.  That doesn't mean it isn't out there.  We will continue to try.  This Christmas, we bought her a bike, a razor (scooter) and a skateboard in hopes of encouraging activity vs. TV or other sedintary activity.   Thank you for your response.  We will certianly keep that in mind as we move forward.  Best to you!  Shelley