[jiffypop]

We gotta discuss this. it's a controversial issue, and i'm sure we'd all agree that we wish things were different, but the use of the lapband in teenagers is happening - and clinical trial results are starting to come out. here's a link to a news report.

if the lapband had been available when you were a teenager, would you have considered it? chosen it? or were you slim enough that you wouldn't have qualified under any circumstances?

Based on this article, i'm thinking that the complication rate is way too high - and i don't know why. NYU is an excellent facility with excellent surgeons. And what really surprised me were the two cases of iron deficiency. assuming these cases were in girls, they have a long span of fertility to look forward to. and if they already have iron deficiency, what's in store for them?

So, what do you all think?

[shelby897]

Sorry, not good at "cut and paste", but in the following thread this is being discussed as we speak -- 3 Fat Chicks on a Diet Weight Loss Community > Support Forum > General chatter
Your opinion -- weight loss surgery for kids....

[Leenie]

http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/showthread.php?t=103913

Here you go..... my comments are in there as well....

"IMHO surgery is a tool, not a cure. Kids should be taught and they need to learn what is healthy eating first before even considering WLS because you can gain weight even after having WLS. Good habits are easier formed and stick with you when your younger than when your 40+.

Unless the child has other serious medical issues I don't think surgery is a good idea."

[kfs151]

I agree with Leenie. I wish I'd had my lap-band earlier, say in my mid-30's. However, it is a tool and until you've figured out what healthy eating means, why you don't want junk/fast food (really you don't lol) and so on I don't think the surgery would work. All WLS requires work on the part of the patient, in terms of new/better eating habits, exercise, vitamin supplements, etc. That said, I wouldn't slam the door shut on some cases where it could be their only/best option.

[KO]

I just read the article and Wow. In Highschool (while I gained 20 pounds over the course of it) I wasn't big enough to be considered 156-175 Additionally and what I'd worry about with these kids, I wasn't responsible enough to follow the kind of eating plan WLS requires.
I really can't form a blanket opinion, just like in adults its a personal decision for a family to make and alter their lives accordingly

[nelie]

I posted my opinion in the other thread as well and I was a nearly 300 lb teenager. I'm not sure what I would've chose at that point in life but I am glad it wasn't an option to me then because I don't think I was ready.

[lilybelle]

I had also posted my opinion on the other thread. In high school I was never big enough to have been considered for the procedure. My highest weight then was 135. As an adult with a high weight of 234, I'm sure I was close to being eligible for the procedure with my weight, but was not even considering it.

If this is considered useful for obese teens, they should be very selective in who gets the procedure. Education should be first and foremost and all other methods to wt. loss exhausted and proved futile first. In other words, these teens should have to have very thorougly recorded "diet" and exercise logs to show they tried to lose weight first on their own. With recommendations from their nutritionist and pediatrician. Mental health counseling, too, with very much parental involvement.

[sportmom]

There's a Discovery Show, "Big John" where they follow a teenager's life as he decided to get wls. Can't remember but think he had traditional gbs and not the band. But you are absolutely right - he was absolutely non-compliant afterwards and basically just quit eating. When he would weigh in, the nurse would have to give him snacks bc she could tell he wasn't eating!! He lost all the weight, but not sure he isn't going to have issues down the road from malnutrition. Just one story, but you're right, the dedication to a changed lifestyle is just not present usually.