Going through the process as a teen

[EmilyIsSleeved 6]

Hello everyone,

My name is Emily and I am 17 years old. I know that some people may think that teenagers getting banded is a bad idea, but I am still very interested in learning more about this surgery anyway.

I guess my question is, if you are a teen that got banded, or are going to be banded soon, what kind of process did you have to go through? Like was there more difficulty to be approved by insurance?

Oh and by the way, my BMI is 47. I am 5 ft 1 inch (short I know haha) and I weigh about 250 pounds. So the only main requirment that I dont fit is the age. However, I will be 18 in about 6 months. Thanks for all of your help. Also, if anyone is willing to email me or something to talk, that would be great!

[reverie 49]

I was banded at 19. It's a pretty simple process. Since you know what your insurance requires, you then want to pick a surgeon and go from there. You will probably have to meet with a dietician/psychologist before you can get banded. Make sure your insurance doesn't require you to be on a supervised diet.

Shoot me a message with your email; I'd love to talk.

[JillianRN 0]

Hello everyone,

My name is Emily and I am 17 years old. I know that some people may think that teenagers getting banded is a bad idea, but I am still very interested in learning more about this surgery anyway.

I guess my question is, if you are a teen that got banded, or are going to be banded soon, what kind of process did you have to go through? Like was there more difficulty to be approved by insurance?

Oh and by the way, my BMI is 47. I am 5 ft 1 inch (short I know haha) and I weigh about 250 pounds. So the only main requirment that I dont fit is the age. However, I will be 18 in about 6 months. Thanks for all of your help. Also, if anyone is willing to email me or something to talk, that would be great!

I am proud of you! Taking control of your life and having a plan for your health is awesome. Surround yourself with positive people now. 6 months is just a short amount of time. Find yourself a good primary care Dr. no and begin a medically supervised diet. Some insurance companies require that. You will be ahead of the process. Best of luck to you!

[Jachut 487]

You're a brave girl, I think its a very sensible idea to be honest. If you've had a gutful of being obese and you're quite willing to modify your socialising then you've got the advantage - you're young, your skin will bounce back, your metabolism is good and you should be able to get fit very quickly. Your 20's and early 30's before you settle and have kids can be one of the best, most exciting times of your life and why waste it being fat and miserable?

Not that you wont be able to go out and have a drink with your friends. But 10 beers and a 2 am kebab probably wont work all that well, lol. And when everyone's eating Mcdonalds, you'll be the one buying salad. I like that though, I like being a 'small eater', I always admired the skinny chicks who nibbled on the fries whilst I couldnt resist downing a Big Mac with the guys.

You're past puberty, you've thought about this, if you're willing to make the sacrifices then I for one would only wish you the best of luck and applaud you for taking charge so early in life.

[EmilyIsSleeved 6]

Thanks for all of the support everyone :wub:

I know that getting banded will be a big change, but I think it is a good choice for me because I want to prevent becoming like my parents health wise. Both of my parents were about 350-400 pounds each at their heaviest, they both had high blood pressure, and they both ended up getting WLS. However, their surgeries re-routed everything and personally, I don't want to change my insides that drastically to become healthy.

Thanks again to everyone who posted!!

[Nikqua_16 0]

I was 16 when I got the Lap Band! Many people thought and still think that I was too young, but I was 346 pounds and I wanted to change. Ive lost about 100 pounds, in a year, and I am proud. I started the process when I was 15 and a half but didnt get the band till a month after my 16th birthday, and it was the best present in the world!

[Mariasha 3]

I recently had my band at age 25.

I struggled with my weight all through my teen years and looking back I wish I would have done this sooner.

Feel free to shoot me a PM if you want to talk.

[xJMorgan 1]

Hello Everybody,

Recently, I have found this forum after looking at several websites. I had mine done at an early age(18). I'm here to meet other banders my age. Also, i am here to help or answer questions or just listen to other people. It's going to be a hard road but well worth it.

xJMorgan

[Mary Ash 16]

I was banded at the age of 19 and I am so glad that I did it. I have been extremely overweight my whole life and this tool has helped me to start moving towards a healthy life.