Question:
Does anyone know of a surgeon in GA who will do WLS on 13 year old?
Her general Dr. said he would refer her, but I've been unable to locate anyone in GA who will perform the surgery for a child under 17. — Jeannie C. (posted on October 26, 2001)
October 26, 2001
I've never heard of a 13 year old being considered for wls. But,
I the question comes up often in my support group. 18 is the
minimum age. Don't forget, wls is a last resort procedure. You
can't say that for a 13 year old.
— [Anonymous]
October 26, 2001
The ONLY surgeon I believe has ever performed a WLS surgery on a someone so
young is Dr. Fobi in California. He claims to have performed the Fobi
Pouch operation on an extremely obese 9 year old but doesn't recommend
surgery for children because of the possibility that the inevitable vitamin
deficiencies can be so detrimental to a child who hasn't stopped growing.
Results of surgery on a child who isn't fully developed can mean stunting
their growth (height-wise), and even causing the brain to slow development
which is devistating. I suppose it depends on her BMI and if their are
other health factors, but I doubt it is going to be easy to find a surgeon
for your daughter. I know it sounds lame, especially coming from someone
who knows what it is like as an obese child, but have you thought of
restricting her to a doctor-prescribed diet and exercise program or
possibly even a camp or retreat for obese children? Once our bodies fully
mature, it's much more difficult (usually impossible) for the weight to
come off the "natural way", as most of us know, but a child's
body is usually much less resistant. Good luck in your research.
— [Anonymous]
October 26, 2001
I wish I could remember the girls/mothers name, but there is a girl that
just had her surgery less than a year ago and she was 13 I believe.
Someone has to know of her. Post on the message board until you get and
answer or someone remembers her. Luck to you.
— Kristin R.
October 26, 2001
The first post on here was wrong about the min. age being 18. I have read
several stories of young people having WLS There may not be an option of
what type she has but it is possible. Keep searching and I'm sure someone
out there will know of a doctor.
— Kelly C.
October 26, 2001
Maybe they would be more willing to consider surgery if you suggest
restrictive gastric banding (do they do that with a lap procedure?) instead
of complete gastric bypass? Maybe a surgeon would be more open to a less
drastic and more easily reversible procedure for a child if you approach
them with plenty of research and data.
— Angela K.
October 26, 2001
The name of the mom was Mary Roberts.
<b>http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/profile.phtml?N=ROBERTS969892808</b>
and her 13 yr old had the Open VBG Dec 4th. Here are two posts from her
put on the Q&A some time ago.
<br><b>http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/question.phtml?N=B976054446&Search_Word=13</b>
<br>
<b>http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/question.phtml?N=B971103612&Search_Word=13</b>
<p> I checked the page and there has been no updates in some time.
But email her and see if you can get any information. Much luck!
— Jo (Part 2) C.
October 26, 2001
I don't think a 13 year old is capable of making an informed decision of
such enormous consequence. And we all know that this must be our own choice
in order to successfully commit to the major life changes that are so
necessary. In most any circumstance that I can imagine, I feel it would be
unethical to do this surgery on one so young.
— [Anonymous]
October 26, 2001
I personally wouldn't subject my 13 year old to this kind of surgery unless
it was life and death consequences. I am NOT degrading you as a parent, but
this is such a lifestyle change that I feel a child at age 13 is not
mentally capable of dealing with. To have the surgery peformed at such a
young age may set her up for failure, where as she may wait 5 more years
and KNOW this is what she wants and suceed. Good Luck at whatever decision
you make.
— [Anonymous]
October 29, 2001
I checked with my doctor, and they will want to wait until his body is
fully developed before even considering surgery. He sais there's a big
percentage of obese kids who loose their excess -weight on their on when
they hit 20 years old.
— [Anonymous]
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