Question:
Does anyone know of a surgeon who will do RYNY on a 14 year old?
A lady called me the other day asking about her 14-year-old having open RNY. She said she has been overweight all of her life. She has been on Meridia, has tried every diet like so many of us have. She is having some big health problems and the doctors have said it is all weight related. She was so excited about having this done and then found out that BTC won't do it unless you are 18. Her mom said she can't face another 4 years of being obese. Her parents are willing to pay for it for her if that is what it takes. We are in Michigan and it would be great if there was a surgeon in the state (with a good reputation) who will do this for her. Any ideas? I have told her that even if she has to travel to have it done, it will be worth it. Her daughter is very motivated, it isn't just the parents wanting it for her. — livnliter (posted on December 23, 2001)
December 22, 2001
My surgeon dr Schauer in pittsburgh does operate on 14 year olds on a
selected basis. Incidently he has patints from mchigan, who come here to
get a great surgeon.
— bob-haller
December 23, 2001
14 is just too young for WLS...I would not allow my 14 yr old to have the
surgery, nor would I do it on an adolescent if I was a surgeon...too
complicated, and risky.
— [Anonymous]
December 23, 2001
I support the surgery on children if its being done for their health. A
really heavy type 2 diabetic 14 year old would be a good example of really
helping a child save their health. Now they need good parental support and
a understanding of how eating will be post op. Surgery is for HEALTH for
all of us. Looking god is a side benefit.
— bob-haller
December 23, 2001
I can't imagine a 14 year old having tried everything and then resorting to
this surgery. This is supposed to be a last resort not a second or third
one. I have serious doubts that a 14 year old (what is that a sixth or
seventh grader??) is going to be mature enough to take care of
himself/herself post-op. I also have doubts that he/she is mature enough
to even understand the surgery, it's consequences and consent to something
so drastic. If the parents are willing to pay anything, then maybe they
should try something other than handing their kid off to any surgeon who's
willing to do an RNY on a 14 year old.
— [Anonymous]
December 23, 2001
The prviouse poster obviousely was not a MO child. Fourteen year old girls
can fully understand the implications of surgery and can take care of
themselves.
— [Anonymous]
December 23, 2001
14 year olds are still children and they cannot "take care of
themselves." As those of us know from reading the questions &
answers on this website, adults who are 34, 44, or even 54 years old are
often clueless when it comes to nutrition, healthy eating, and how their
bodies work. I doubt very much if a 14 year old can understand a lot about
her gallbladder, stomach, large intestine, etc. There may be other reasons
that prevent a major surgery on a 14 year old; other than psychological.
How about physical? Are the body organs fully developed at 14? I don't
know.....
— [Anonymous]
December 23, 2001
The first question that needs to be asked is if this CHILD, yes,CHILD has
reached puberty. Bones are still growing and especially teens need extra
calcium and vitamins. WLS pts struggle now to get recommended amounts.
Women especially will face MAJOR bone loss etc... in later menopausal years
if they aren't healthy. I know what it is like to be a morbid obese teen. I
think she needs to wait at least until 17 if her comorbities allow. She
and her family can make healthy choices and if her health fear is serious
enough, I am sure they have already taken measures to change. Not having a
boyfiend or peer pressure should NOT be a reason for this surgery. She
needs to see a Psychologist/Psychiatrist before attempting this drastic
measure.
— [Anonymous]
December 23, 2001
Everybody has good points here. All we want to do is help the poster find
info about dr's that perform WLS on minors. Kathy, you've got some names
and you should definately pass them on. Many of these posts have turned
into opinion columns! Pass the numbers on to the inquiring party and let
the DR's decide if it's safe, if she's mentally equipped to deal with
surgery, it's after effects and it's dietary restrictions.
— [Anonymous]
December 23, 2001
If I could have had this surgery when I was 14 my life would have been a
lot different. I wouldn't have been so depressed. I could have ran
"the mile" in the alloted time and not had to beg the pricipal to
excuse me from doing it all over again in front of the whole class while
they laughed and snickered. I wouldn't have needed to go to the nurses
office to check my blood sugers. Maybe someone would have asked me to the
prom. Maybe I would already be healthy and living an active life instead of
just getting started. I think she is old enough. I heard the doctor in
Beverly Hills does the surgery on 16 year olds but I am not sure if he will
do it on a 14 year old Good luck and merry christmas! (I think he is the
only one in Beverly Hills that does the surgery so he will be easy to find
on the surgeon search page)
— [Anonymous]
December 23, 2001
I know that my surgeon has operated on some under 18. He's in
Middletown,OH. His name is Dr. David J. Fallang.
— Jaimee S.
December 23, 2001
I was 40 when I had surgery and I don't know if I ever realized
all the implications and pain! I have a 14 year old (normal
weight) and I don't know if she could handle it. 14 year olds
don't necessarily understand the implications of many things-hence
14 year old parents! Also, the puberty complication is a good
thing to take into consideration. But I digress.... I was
MO at that age and remember the pain. However, I didn't have such
supportive parents who cared about me as your daughter
is so blessed to have. I applaud your loving concern and
support and I wish you all the best in helping your daughter
through this difficult time, no matter what you decide. Even
if she can't have the surgery until she is 18, she is a step
ahead of where I was at that age. God Bless!
— M B.
December 23, 2001
To one of the people who posted who thought a 14 year old was 6th of 7th
grade, try a freshman in high school. I had gastroplasy in 1985 when I was
22, but I wish I could have had it done at 14. If the parents and child do
the research and the parents explain to the kid that there will be pain
involved and what other side effects there might be, I believe a 14 year
old can understand. I know I could have.
— Sue F.
December 23, 2001
You could try Dr. Scholten in Grand Rapids,he did my surgery 4 weeks ago
and was great.His number is (616)977-6243 good luck
— Thresa P.
December 23, 2001
I posted this on the message board a few weeks ago. It appeared in the
Cincinnati Enquirer. It is an article about a 17 year old girl who had RNY
and is doing well. The tone of the article was somewhat negative. There is
a program here in Cincinnati that addresses WLS for teens. It seems very
insightful. Here's the link, I hope your friend finds it interesting and
informative.
http://enquirer.com/editions/2001/12/04/tem_gastric_bypass.html Shelley
— Shelley.
December 23, 2001
I first started trying for the surgery when I was 14, and I don't feel any
less ready now than I did then. I understand everything now (at 21) that I
did at 14. If a Dr. deems it necessary, and they aren't losing weight any
other way, then the sooner the better.
— joshbowski
September 26, 2002
EXCUSE ME?? HOW DARE SOME OF YOU BE AGAIINST A 14 YR OLD HAVING WLS W/
PARENTS SUPPORT--FIRST OF ALL--DO ANY OF YOU HAVE A 14 YR OLD WHO IS
300-350LBS PLUS??? WE ARE LOOKING TO TRY TO SAVE THAT CHILDS LIFE--ALSO IF
YOUR CHILD......NEEDED A HEART TRANSPLANT OR ANY OTHER MAJOR SURGERY TO
BETTER THE QUAILTY OF LIFE FOR THEM WOULD YOU DO IT??? YES, THEY ARE
CHILDREN WHICH IS WHY THIER PARENTS SHOULD BE INFORMED AND HELP THEM ALONG
THIER JOURNEY--JUST LIKE US AS ADULTS HAD TO LEARN AND ADAPT. TO BE
HONEST--SOME OF US SO CALLED ADULTS-ARE CLUELESS BECAUSE WE CHOSE TO
BE-YALL KNOW IM NOT LYING EITHER.........OVERWEIGHT CHILDREN ARE STILL
PEOPLE AND THE QUALITY OF LIFE NEEDS TO BE CHERISHED.....KIDS ARE HUMAN
TOO-- REMEMBER HOW YOU FELT WHEN YOU COULDNT GET A DATE-OR COULD GET A
PRETTY PROM DRESS IN BIG GURL SIZE,COULDNT FIT IN THE DESK,GOT EXCUSED
OUTTA GYM FOR ASTHMA, OR WERE TEASED OR DEPRESSED AS A CHILD OVER YOUR
WEIGHT??? WELL, SOMEWHERE SOME POOR CHILD FEELS TTHAT PAIN. I SAY IF THE
CHILD IS RELATIVELY HEALTHY AND THE PARENT IS THERE GUIDING THEN GO FOR
IT...........
— NANA H.
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