Question:
How many teens have this surgery?
My daughter is considering a (RNY) surgery for weight loss. She is 17 years old, 5'3 and is 255 lbs. She is worried about her health and weight. I have had one done in 1992 VBG and lost 241 lbs then had a revision to a RNY this past March and now only have 50 lbs to lose from the 120 that I gained back.... So she is very familar with the requirements of what is going to take to make it work. She is very nervous about considering this but is very miserable about her weight... I have encouraged to try other methods, but she wants more information for WLS.. She would like to hear from others in her age bracket that have had it done. Any feedback or input, support would be great. Thanks - Bonnie — Bonnie S. (posted on September 7, 2005)
September 6, 2005
You may want to consider the lap band. I think it's growing in popularity
for young people. The adjustable nature of the band helps solve some of
the issues w/ the original VBG. I love my RNY, but if I were 17, I would
consider the lap-band.
— mom2jtx3
September 6, 2005
I'm now 23yrs old. Had the Gastric Bypass on Feb. of 03. I started out at
267 went down to 150 and I am now at 170. Just make sure she does her
research. Good luck. Any questions feel free to e-mail me.
— mamita093
September 6, 2005
If you are 17 I would check with a surgeon in your area some surgeons do
not do RNY on patients that young but being that she has had other WLS she
may be a perfect person to have this done RNY is the safer of all WLS the
lap band I would not recommend I work for a bariatric surgeon and he
prefers RNY he has done lap banding with the other practice he has worked
with but now that he has his own he does not do lap bands one it is
considered experimental and the band has to be adjusted and the the
problems it can cause with the stomach and the throat...I would go for the
RNY if that is what the surgeon suggest to do...I believe she will be happy
she made that choice all the patients here are glad that they chose the RNY
over any other WLS....
— j s
September 7, 2005
My mother had one too and I've been by her side. Now I want to get it done.
At 5'5 and 265 I know how your daughter must be feeling. I'm not sure how
many teenagers have had it done, but at 21 people think that I'm too young.
But we're talking about a better qulity of life, a full life. If this is
what she wants, support her, help her, stand by her, comfort her, love her.
Go to her appointments. Talk to her about it, voice your own fears. Bonnie,
this is one of the first things that my mother has ever backed me on. I
need her now and I'm sure that your daugher needs you. Make sure that she
fully understands everything. She has to make the choice on her own, Just
be there to listen.
— Rhianon P.
September 7, 2005
Hi Bonnie, as young as your daughter is, she would be more considered for a
gastric banding. It is less invasive and she wouldn't have to deal with the
malabsorption. Good luck. Mona
— monymony
September 7, 2005
Hi Bonnie. When I started to research this surgery I met a young boy (16
years old) at a semilar who had the banding surgery. He had gone down to
around 150 pounds from 400 pounds. What can I say, it was a real miracle.
I felt so happy for him. He was alive, full of vigor and laughter. The
doctor encouraged youngsters like him to have the surgery because he said
he feared that these children would not likely make it very long as adults,
they were striking out before they got up to bat.
Good luck to your daughter. At 17 knowing the band can be reversed is a
very doable thing and not scary. Sometimes all we need is the tool to
perform the task, and as young as she is without the benefit of having a
multitude of years of bad eating habits like myself, I am confident she
would be very successful and quite happy. Good luck to you both. Missy
(140 pounds lost)
— Missy H.
September 7, 2005
I think the greatest thing in your daughter's favor is that YOU have had
the surgery. Living in a house with someone who needs to eat the same way,
and take supplements the same way......what a PLUS! I know it would help
me! (I'm 41, but my daughter is struggling with weight issues at 13, so I
can relate a bit) I DO think RNY is the best, but you have to find a
surgeon who will do the procedure in minors, and see what he suggests. I
wish only the best for you and your family.
Hugs,
~christi in Virginia Beach
— christi_in_VA
September 7, 2005
Bonnie, I think if your daughter is ready for a life change then RNY is
fine. Since you are a RNY'er and she sees the necessary changes in eating
and supplementing that you have gone through, she is probably prepared.
The emotional aspect is what she must be prepared for. I suggest you sit
with her and write out the pros and cons of RNY and other forms of WLS,
specifically the adjustable lap band. ALB wasn't for me because I
needed/wanted extra discipline I felt only the RNY offerred me. My husband
had the lap band and he is doing great, but please know that it does take
more discipline and the weight loss is for most part slower than the RNY.
I will keep both of you in my prayers as you prepare and decide if WLS is
the right choice. Hugs, Dana Lap RNY 2-21-05 ~~ 260/239/145/125-130
— cajungirl
September 7, 2005
Hello.
I just turned 22 and I'm in the process of getting wls in December. Right
now I'm in 3/6 month diet for my insurance.
I've been overweight ALL my life and I can't believe it's taken me this
long to figure out that having the surgery is the best way to improve the
rest of my life.
I wish I had done it when I was younger, but now, in my last year of
college, it's going to be a brand new start for my new world.
The surgeon I'm going to said that there are RNY's done on younger adults
because it's good to get it done before something happens to them as
adults, and they develop diseases and such because of the obesity. Does
your insurance require the 6 month supervised diet? Perhaps have your
daughter do this before making a solid decision, because it's required
anyway, and she how she feels about it as she goes.
I was 20 when I started considering this surgery, and 21 before I had the
guts to tell my parents I had been considering it. To my surprise, they
had been thinking about it, too, for quite some time.
I weighed 260 when I graduated high school at 17. Now I weight 325. I
don't blame her for not wanting to get to that point.
Jami
Any questions, just email me, at [email protected]
www.jamidanell.blogspot.com - the process -
— Jami
September 8, 2005
Hey there
I am 15 years old and I had the surgery...I go to support groups with a
bunch of kids my age who have had, want to have the surgery, or are
learning to lose weight...if you or your daughter would like to speak to me
that owuld be totally cool
Tara
— MizzDepp
September 8, 2005
Hi Bonnie,
Look under "Communities" on Obesity Help, they have a Teen WLS
forum.
Shahidah
— City Gurl
September 8, 2005
I am not 17 but I was 20 when Ihad the surgery. I am 22 now. SHe can feel
free to email me if she has questions or wants to talk.
Alannah
— horserider0146
September 8, 2005
There are more and more teens out there that are having WLS. She has a
really big advantage with the fact that you have had RNY and are living the
lifestyle and knows what is involved. What I recommend is that you see if
you can find a surgeon that specializes in teens. They are out there, I do
not know if there are any in your area or not. I do know that the surgeons
I went with treat teens, but I am in the Chgo area. There (it is on about
every month or so, a repeat) was a TV program on Discovery Health cable
channel about an obese teen by the name of Big John and what he went
through with having WLS. I commend her for wanting to take action on her
obesity and take control. She is a very mature girl.
— ChristineB
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