Question:
Has any parents here allowed their children/child to have WLS?

I posted the question this question last year sometime and wanted to go into the library to find some responses,but I couldn't locate it. My daughters is 13y/o now and is now weighing 315lbs I have tried every diet/change of eating habit I can think of, but she loses about 10-20lbs and then gains that and 10lbs more back, so I am really and truly considering the surgery for her. She is so sad all of the time and shes starting not to care what she looks like and I can see the poor self esteem peeking through. We have no ins. but her grandfather would be willing to pay for the surgery if I would find a Dr. that would do it. Mothers can you give me some advise especially those whose children have already been there, done that--and tell me how has it affected their life.    — mischief85 (posted on May 21, 2003)


May 21, 2003
Sorry to say, but no surgeon is going to operate on a 13-year-old...JR
   — John Rushton

May 21, 2003
I am not sure if you will find a surgeon that will perform the surgery but you might I would check into it,she is definitely a candidate and I guess if she has parental consent things might work out especially since she is so young and has alot of weight to lose.
   — TotallyTori

May 21, 2003
I would call your nearest childrens hospital and ask them if they do bariatric surgery on children and if so to refer you to a surgeon. You might also ask your pediatrician and ask if he knows of anyone who does pediatric bariatric surgery.
   — thesaurkratkid

May 21, 2003
Hi Stephanie, I just want to tell you, don't give up! I was watching a special on TV a few weeks back and it focused on a young lady who had the surgery and I beleive she was 13. It was awhile ago so I don't remember the details but I do remember that she was under the age of 16 so keep up hope and keep researching!! Keep me posted! I would love to know how everything goes for you!
   — Carrie-Ann B.

May 21, 2003
You might not be able to get a surgeon to do the RNY (or any other malabsorbtion surgery) but you could probably find one to do the LapBand.
   — SJP

May 21, 2003
I agree with Sheryl, call a childrens hospital. I do know for a fact that wls has been performed on children UNDER 18. Just last week on that Fox news show (can't remember the name, but it's a "Dateline" type show) they had a story about a 14 yo girl who had RNY performed. There was also a 17 yo girl from another group I frequent who had it done about 2 weeks ago, so, it is very possible. Good luck to you, and your daughter, and don't give up!!
   — Cat S.

May 21, 2003
Hi Stephanie- Your post made my eyes water, I really feel for you and your daughter. I did see a few months ago a "Dateline" or "20/20" type of show about 2 teenage sisters who'd had the surgery together and it was helpful to them. Since her grandpa is willing to help out, it wouldn't hurt to go talk to a surgeon, or ask him/her to direct you to a facility that could help. Good Luck, and please post again when you have the answer. MEA :o)
   — Mea A.

May 21, 2003
Hello. I am a mother, and can not imagine what it must feel like not to be able to help your child. I had the Lap-band 2 weeks ago, and one of the surgeons I had a consultation with had just started a program for minors. I am not sure of the ages he was working with, but it would be something to look into. The lapband is not as drastic of a change for someone so young. This Dr. is in Dallas, TX, named Richard Benavides.
   — Jessica P.

May 21, 2003
Stephanie- Just looked at your profile and noticed you are in Houston. Dr. Benavides's main office is in College Station, and has many patients from Houston. FYI.
   — Jessica P.

May 21, 2003
I have 3 small children and both my boys are thin, but my daughter who is only 3 is already having weight issues and im trying to get it under control now. She has my body structure and my weight problems. My husband already asks me what if she has my problems would we let her do this when she's old enough and I have mixed emotions about it, just b/c I don't want her to need it. I was fine and im happier than ever, but it's still been hard. I feel for you and your daughter and I agree with everyone else on talking to a surgeon. I do know a mother and son who had it done and he was 16 and weighed close to 500lb and now he is happy and doing fine. I hope someone can help you find the solution, good luck to both of you :o)
   — Sandy M.

May 21, 2003
It's my understanding that Children's Hospital in conjunction UAB Medical Center (both in Birmingham, Alabama) are doing a research project on RNY in children. Not to contradict any of the previous posters but the surgery is done on children as young as 13 in several places in the U.S. The thing that would attract me to this research program is that they are being totally comprehensive and leaving nothing to chance. UAB (University of Alabama at Birmingham) is one of the most widely respected teaching hospitals in the United States. You could call the office of Dr. Ronald Clements for more information at 205-934-999 or Children's Hospital at 205-939-9100. Bariatric surgery on children is widely debated as there are many ethical issues involved. I know you will make the decision that is right for your circumstance. Best wishes to you and your child.
   — ronascott

May 21, 2003
I'm sorry for leaving off a number for Dr. Clements office. The number is 205-934-9999 (this is the physician referral number and they will forward you).
   — ronascott

May 21, 2003
Stephanie, I hope you get some parents of teens that respond to you. Talking to a childrens hospital for a referral to bariatric surgery for kids might provide you with some referrals/sources to talk to. I would advise you, though, to be very cautious when thinking about this type of surgery on someone so young. There are long term problems that can develop if we do not take our vitamins, supplement calcium and eat protein for the rest of our lives. It takes a mature person to be able to do all that consistently and most young teens just are not mature enough to do so. They tend to live in the moment and don't think ahead to the rest of their lives. While I sympathize with your daughter's issues and your desire to help her, perhaps a reversible procedure, like a lapband might be a better interim step until she is old enough to handle such a drastic change as the RNY and its lifetime committments.
   — Cindy R.

May 21, 2003
I too was MO even as a 13 y/o, so I can understand how hard it is for your daughter. However, has she actually asked for weight loss surgery (I assume she knows you're pursuing it for yourself)? If she doesn't yet show an interest in it on her own, I would be reluctant to encourage someone so young to pursue such a serious lifetime commitment. Even many adults have a hard time with remembering to take the necessary supplements and to eat right after WLS. I also wonder if such a young person would be emotionally prepared to cope if she experienced severe complications. I am 20 years old and just got the lapband last Friday. It was hard to grow up fat, but I don't regret that I waited until adulthood to get surgery. I'm not sure if I would have had the strong focus and determination I will need to succeed with my tool if I had it done any younger. Anyway, this is just my opinion. Good luck to you both.
   — K M.

May 21, 2003
Childrens Hospital in Cincinnati Ohio does gastric bypass on adolescents. http://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/svc/prog/weight/default.htm Here is a link for you. Best of Luck! Andrea
   — Andrea F.

May 21, 2003
As an obese child I can definitely identify with the pain your daughter is suffering. I will not lie--being obese most of my life was frightening and depressing. I don't think a 12 yr old would ask for WLS only because kids probably don't know much about it or understand it. If my daughter weighed that much I would run, run, run to the best surgeon I could find to at least consult with her/him about the topic. I would assume that a good, concerned surgeon would only do a LAP BAND on a child due to the chance that it could be easily removed if problems occurred. It's such a personal decision so I hesitate to encourage any type of surgery but I will tell you that if i could have had WLS at 13 I would have!!!!!
   — jenn2002

May 21, 2003
This is such a tough question. If she is interested, then it would certainly help her self-esteem and health. But there are two concerns: as a 13 year old, would she be able/willing to comply with the strict supplement/water/protein/exercise schedule? We all know teens! Also, some parents opt to wait until their teen is done growing so the malabsoptive component doesn't cause harm. At least with most girls, growing stops fairly young, so she may not have too long to wait. Good luck on this hardest of decisions!
   — [Deactivated Member]




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