It's time...Now I need your help. - Page 2 - ThinnerTimes

JustAnotherVictim1 · 02-03-2006, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SaturdazeChyld

Hiya Eric,

Welcome to the forum. We're glad yer here!

You sound like a very mature 16 year old. You write very well and sound like a confidant, condsiderate young man.

I too know what it's like to be (almost) 400 pounds and I feel yer pain. To be honest I can't imagine it at your tender age tho, and I will pray for you on your journey, no matter where it leads you.

I hope your doctor can help you decide what is right for you. Keep posting to let us know how it's going with you.

Hugs to you young one

Thanks

Is there any reason for feeling it isn't right for me? Besides the usual "Their too young" answer?

MiladyB · 02-03-2006, 04:31 PM

First of all welcome to the Forum. I'm new to this forum too but have found a wonderful group to help you through the journey. It sounds to me that you have done a lot of soul searching and homework. I can understand why you are looking at WLS. It must feel as if you have done it all and this may be the answer to your prayers. Talking to your physician is the right step. Hopefully he/she will listen with open ears. I am from Grand Rapids and know a fantastic group of VERY UNDERSTANDING surgeons and an office that really cares about their patients. I am just 4 days postop and so far have had a fantastic experience with this group. I don't know if they have done WLS on teens but if your physician encourages you to persue the possiblity of WLS I would highly recommend this group. Feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions. My thoughts and prayers are with you. I too know the pain of being the "biggest" in school...the pain runs deep, doesn't it?

JustAnotherVictim1 · 02-03-2006, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MiladyB

First of all welcome to the Forum. I'm new to this forum too but have found a wonderful group to help you through the journey. It sounds to me that you have done a lot of soul searching and homework. I can understand why you are looking at WLS. It must feel as if you have done it all and this may be the answer to your prayers. Taking to your physician is the right step. Hopefully he/she will listen with open ears. I am from Grand Rapids and know a fantastic group of VERY UNDERSTANDING surgeons and an office that really cares about their patients. I am just 4 days postop and so far have had a fantstic experience with this group. I don't know if they have done WLS on teens but if your physician encourages you to persue the possiblity of WLS I would look into this group. Feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions. My thoughts and prayers are with you. I too know the pain of being the "biggest" in school...the pain runs deep, doesn't it?

yeah, it does. And when it happens day after day, turning into year after year, it gets to you.

Do you possibly have your Surgeon's name on hand?

Also, glad to hear it went well

MiladyB · 02-03-2006, 04:42 PM

My surgeon's name is Dr Randal Baker. There are also 2 other surgeons in the office, Dr Jamie Foote and Dr Paul Kemmenter. They strictly do Bariatric surgery and have a comprehensive office that includes an Internist, Behaviorist, Excercise Therapist and Nutritionalist. They also have a 6 month physician supervised weight reduction program. Their offices are found at MMPC Center for Heath Excellence which is located in Grand Rapids. The surgery is done at Spectrum Health Blodgett where they have their own specific Bariatric Program. Hope you find this info helpful.

Gina in NY · 02-03-2006, 04:42 PM

Don't forget that this is not a magic cure! The way you lose weight is through diet and exersize, even after surgery. Obviously, this surgery will give you an awesome portion control tool, but some people are still able to gain the weight back. They do everything wrong - basically - they think the surgery will do the work for them. It won't. You'll have to really visualize your life in a new way, with totally new habits etc. You have to get your head into a totally new place.

The good thing about being young is that you have time to form new habits and keep them. You can transform youself into a healthy, athletic person.

I think with your health issues, you may be able to get the surgery done. And also because you're young, you'll bounce back quickly.

But work on your head and heart first - this is a huge change.

Good luck - we'll be with you all the way!

JustAnotherVictim1 · 02-03-2006, 04:43 PM

Hey everyone,

I just thought I'd mention that I just looked up the Surgeons from this site...

Surgeon Profile - Charles Callery

I just thought I'd tell you guys that his age says 16, which is kind of nice. If only I lived in Michigan. But if it was a possibility, I would totally travel to California.

Bypassingme619 · 02-03-2006, 04:44 PM

Welcome to the board. You are the age that I started looking into haveing WLS, which at the time I was looking into the Band(Thank God I never went through with) but take your time with your decision. Attend some support groups be around others who are going through this journey. I have read that teenagers having WLS is on the rise.

I went to Obesityhelp to locate the teen message board, I thought it would be good for you to have access to others who are going through or who have been through what you are now. Your not alone.

http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/teen_wls/

JustAnotherVictim1 · 02-03-2006, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gina in NY

Don't forget that this is not a magic cure! The way you lose weight is through diet and exersize, even after surgery. Obviously, this surgery will give you an awesome portion control tool, but some people are still able to gain the weight back. They do everything wrong - basically - they think the surgery will do the work for them. It won't. You'll have to really visualize your life in a new way, with totally new habits etc. You have to get your head into a totally new place.

The good thing about being young is that you have time to form new habits and keep them. You can transform youself into a healthy, athletic person.

I think with your health issues, you may be able to get the surgery done. And also because you're young, you'll bounce back quickly.

But work on your head and heart first - this is a huge change.

Good luck - we'll be with you all the way!

You are absolutely right, Gena. The surgery is only the beginning, and I believe that having the surgery takes more from you emotionally than physically. Sure, you need to diet and exercise, which I'm sure seeing results like most people have on YOURSELF would help with that, but emotionally you lose your best friend. Basically what was the love of your life is now limited, very limited.

But to me, that's okay! That is why I'm looking into this surgery. I need a change. This surgery won't just change me of course, I need to change my way of life, and I am more motivated than ever before to do that. Now I hope that this WLS (if I am approved) gives me the big boost I need, to be a whole new person. A whole new person that I want to be...

JustAnotherVictim1 · 02-03-2006, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bypassingme619

Welcome to the board. You are the age that I started looking into haveing WLS, which at the time I was looking into the Band(Thank God I never went through with) but take your time with your decision. Attend some support groups be around others who are going through this journey. I have read that teenagers having WLS is on the rise.

I went to Obesityhelp to locate the teen message board, I thought it would be good for you to have access to others who are going through or who have been through what you are now. Your not alone.

http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/teen_wls/

Wow, thank you so much! I will totally look into those forums as well.

If you don't mind, could you tell me a little about why you didn't do the band?

Thanks again

Zenomia · 02-03-2006, 04:55 PM

Hmm...I think the concern is your age not for Chronology, but because of Chemistry. At 15/16 you are still considered in the Puberty range. Although your height and weight may present you as a full grown adult, your hormones may NOT. There are chemical changes that happen in Males during puberty that can continue until 18. There could be concerns there that we wouldn't be aware of.

You sound well reasoned, and informed about what you want..which is great. I would suggest checking into case studies on the long term effects on patients who were of your age group. This may give you an insight you weren't aware of.

What ever happens, good luck. The best advice I can give is be Prepared. Talk to your Dr. with all the information on everything you have done to lose the weight...your history everything. Knowledge is POWER, be sure you have oodles of it!