Question:
Will they accept me?

Hi! Iam 15 years old and would love to get this operation. I have been big my whole life. Can I get help before it's too late. I am 5'10" and weigh almost 300 pounds. I don't have the finances to get this done. If you can help please write me at [email protected]. Help me please before it's too late. I have tried everything to lose weight but it won't go.    — Fabianne T. (posted on March 3, 2002)

March 2, 2002
My surgeons youngest patient is 14. So age wise and weight wise you qualify. Does your family have no insurance? Insurance generally pays for surgery, unless the company tries to exclude you based on age. Some young folks have had to wait till they turn 18 to get it paid for. Insurance companies try to save money wherever they can. I WISH I could of had surgery at your age, my life would of been very different, and better. You need to understand the risks and rewards fully. Good luck on your search for a solution.
   — bob-haller

March 2, 2002
Honey, I know those teenage years can be brutal, especially if you are fat, but please be sure you have tried everything. Your body is still growing and chaging, every day...If when you're 18 you are still MO, look into surgery. Personally (and I don't mean this to be cruel in any way, so no flamers!) I wouldn't trust a surgeon who would do this radical, last resort, life changing procedure on anyone under 18...at that point you're an adult in the eyes of the law and can make any decision you chose regarding your body. Call around, ask some surgeons (look in the surgeons section of this site) and see what they have to say, but in the meantime, love yourself, know that you are worth something, and be patient...Love to you, and please keep us posted...
   — [Anonymous]

March 3, 2002
Anon, I understand your concern for this young person, but obviousely you were not a morbidly obese teenager. My 32 year old daughter is having this surgery, I am not sure how I would react if she were 15. I think if she believed this would solve all her problems, I would make her get counseling first.
   — faybay

March 3, 2002
Girlfriend, I was 225, 5'6" in 8th grade and over 250 in high school, so I know what you are going through. The thing about morbid obesity is that it is genetic, and physically, if you have had that burst of hormones that makes you a sexual being, you are all that you are going to be. Waiting to age 18 is an arbitrary number, given that in many cultures you would be married and heading your own household by age 15. See your family doctor, get with your parent of choice for the insurance and recognize that you can be fit AND fat, pending surgery. Eat healthy, exercise and do what you need to do until you are able to have the surgery. People like you and I will only diet ourselves into a higher weight. Diets simply don't work and counseling is a ludicrous answer to the TREATMENT of obesity. Counseling may make you more compliant with diet andd exercisse changes or learn to accept yourself as is, but it won't help you to lose weight and keep it off. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different outcome. Dieting is insanity for morbidly obese people. Good Luck to you...
   — merri B.

March 4, 2002
There is a program here in Cincinnati for teens having gastric bypass. There was a very interesting article in our paper last December. Here is the web page to read it http://enquirer.com/editions/2001/12/04/tem_gastric_bypass.html While I can't help you with your specific question, I thought that maybe this information would be of interest and help to you. Good luck. Shelley
   — Shelley.