Question:
can this be done on a 16 year old?

my daughter is 16 and is 5ft 4 inhes and weighs 300 lbs she has been on a 1500 cal diet for 1 and a half years and is no longer losing weight. she has weak ankels and has sprained them over 50 times her knees gve out and everyday she is in pain walking she breathes heavy, and after thousands of dallors on test they found she has no stomach flap to hold her acid in also she has high blood peasure and wets her pants all day as she has no bladder control. she has tried for 5 years to take the weight off but nothing helps. PLEASE IS THERE ANY HELP ???????    — KITTY M. (posted on September 3, 2000)

September 2, 2000
The youngest person I know of that had RnY surgery was 11 years of age. I do not know the circumstances only that a successful procedure was performed. Use the Find A Doc feature here on AMOS to locate a surgeon in your area. You can also check out www.duodenalswitch.com for a listing of surgeons who perform DS surgery. There is help and there is hope. Best of luck to you and your daughter. Feel free to email me if you like.
   — Roseann M.

September 2, 2000
Our doc has done several teens, including a 15 year old 2 weeks ago, and another a year ago. They're doing very well indeed. At this point, some are in families in which other members have had surgery, too, so it's easier for them to stay on target with their protein & vitamins than if they were alone, perhaps. However, sometimes I've seen a competition develop to see who can get the best weight loss and best labs, all in a friendly spirit.
   — vitalady

September 2, 2000
I have heard of teenagers having this surgery done. There is a mother and daugter on this sight who are going to be having this surgery done. You should look into it and if you look up the Doctor sight on this websight you should be able to find someone to help. This would be a very good thing fo your daughter and you, she will lose the weight and you have the feeling of knowing she will be healthy and live a long time. Good luck to you and god bless!!!This is the best surgery that has ever happened!!!!
   — Frank R.

September 2, 2000
What a wonderful opportunity for your daughter. Being overweight at that age almost certainly means a lifetime of obesity. Poor health and years and years of ridicule that a young person endures from peers. I speak from my own experience. I am now 43 and wish I had the opportunity when I was 16 to correct my obesity. I would have had the opportunity to live a happier, healthier life. I have had many good times in my life, but so many of my memories are related to my obesity and they are not good. The only drawback I see at that age is the patient must be able to do all the necessary things afterwards to make the surgery work. She must be able to carry out the doctors instructions explicity after surgery or it will be a short term tool.
   — Terry M.

September 2, 2000
Hi, I really agree with everything Terry said. Although my son is much older (28) I want him to have the surgery too. I wish it had been available when I was younger (45 now). Not to have the surgery is to waste a life, as far as I'm concerned. However, you need to make sure YOU are ready for all the work involved too. You must help her eat what she is suppose to, she will need vitamins, follow-up care, etc. It is not easy, as we overweight people always tend to take care of others and aren't used to spending time on US! I really feel for you daughter and know what she is going through. If the first surgeon doesn't want to do it (although I can't imagine that) go on to the next, and so on. Good luck and God Bless you and your Little One!!! Love,
   — Tina C.

September 3, 2000
I just had to say two thumbs up to you. If it is possible go for it. I also know that docs are doing it on teens, we have had two cases in my area I know of. I have a 17 year old daughter I would like to see have surgery. She will soon be 18, which changes many things. At 16 I am sure this girl is capable of understanding the many changes this surgery makes in your life...positive benefits vs dietary changes for life and appropriate medical followup. These kids are so smart so young it amazes me sometimes when I see mine. The only bad thing I can say is that some insurances have an exclusion due to age. Mine does. It states you must be 18. My daughter has another insurance as primary and it does not have that exclusion so check your policy. My heart again goes out to you for the comorbids she is experiencing. This poor child needs to get this surgery ASAP...help her have a normal life. She has already experienced so much diet failure for one so young. Did you make a profile page for her? In order to start this ball rolling what is your insurance and their policy on this and what do the docs say? Everyone here is supportive of you and can hear your pain and hers...Now lets get started. Best wishes for success.
   — JennyLynn A.

September 3, 2000
You might want to try contacting Kris Sanchez. Her profile is listed on this site. Both she and her 16 year old daughter had WLS. She might be able to help relieve some of your fears. Good luck!
   — Maxine E.

October 13, 2000
i sure hope to god your daughter can have the surgury. i myself am 16 and doing research on the surgury to see if i am able to get it myself. im about 5'4 and 255+ pounds. im sure that if your daughter is 16, shes pretty knowledgable. she knows that she has to go through tramatic changes, but she has to stick to it to stay alive. either she dies or she doesnt, right? its all a matter of time (forgive me for being blunt). if this surgury does happen for her, make sure she KNOWS what she has to do, and help her stick to the whole post-op care that she NEEDS to have for the rest of her life. good luck..
   — lauren F.