Explaining WLS to my kids (early teens)...

[aufan 69]

Anyone who has pre-teen/teenage children have any suggestion on how best to explain WLS to them. I want them to know why things are going to change, but not so much that they are terrified of losing their mom. You know what I mean?

Anyone have advice/chocie of words?

TIA!

[DELETE THIS ACCOUNT! 12,703]

My son was 9yrs old and my daughter was 17yrs old when I had surgery.

I told them the truth. I was grossly overweight and I had to do something before my health got even worse. I told them I wanted to be active in their lives and actually do things with them again. I told them I wanted to be a mom they could be proud of.

Honestly, my kids have been really great about it. They weren't blind or stupid, they knew how unhealthy I was. My oldest in particular had a lot of fears of me dying from obesity- and so did I. They're both thrilled I had the surgery and the incredible changes the weight loss has made in our lives.

[Rockstar_Jen 49]

I'm like Missy, my girls are 9&10. I told them that I wanted to be able to have more quality time with them and ride rollercoasters and stuff. I downplayed the surgery a little as to not scare them, but at the same time made sure they knew how much I love the,. I saw one poster once had written out just on case letters for her children. I may have done that if I would have thought about it. The surgery itself is pretty safe as far as surgeries go. The eating takes some getting used to, but we're all adjusting.

Good luck to you!

Sent from my iPad using LapBandTalk

[babykins529 189]

I have a 13 year old son and 6 year old daughter. I showed them on YouTube what the surgery is (the animated video) and then I showed them other peoples journey. I told them I was going to start making my life healthy and happy. They were totally cool with it and it really helped my son understand better what was done to my body and why I can't eat like I used to. My daughter is young and doesn't quite understand but that is okay. Kids roll with the punches.

[Terry Poperszky 2,784]

My girls are 12 & 9, they are well aware of my struggles with my weight, but we sat them down and were honest with them. That I was going to have surgery to help me be healthy. They were both very supportive and more than once I have received warnings that I need to drink my Water because we are having dinner soon.

My one daughter is adopted, and came from a home ruled by two hypochondriacs who instilled in her a terror of every sniffle, sneeze or Dr. visit. She has come a long way and my surgery was really a graduation exercise for her, two years ago I do not think she could have handled knowing the details, but we were very calm, discussed the procedure matter of factly and did not go into too many details. She did great.

[laurigee 545]

I guess I might be kind of different. My husband and I really didnt discuss it with the kids. They seen me exercising and changing my eating habits about a year before my surgery so to them it was just business as usual. When I lost 100 pounds I was so excited I was telling everyone! My oldest son looked at me as if I were a liar! I said can't you tell the difference, he said NO, you still look like mom to me! Unconditional love, that story still makes me warm and fuzzy! I guess I was overweight, but I was never unable to do things with or for the kids. I dont think there is a right or wrong thing to do, my kids get anxious when people are in the hospital or have surgery so I just didn't think it was worth worrying them about their mom! When they got older I explained what I had done and why. They are 2 boys and to tell you the truth, they couldn't have been more disinterested if they would have tried! Lol. They benifited by seeing their mom eat right and excersise so I'm glad that I was a positive role model for them. Why do I always start rambling when I post a response! LOL

[Holly Dolly 575]

My kids didn't really even ask for an explanation regarding the surgery. My mom offered it to me 13 months before I took her up on it, never told anyone either. I told my hubby and kids at the same time, at our Christmas dinner with my mom. I said, "Grandmom is giving me the best Christmas present ever, lapband surgery!" Our commercials on the radio and tv were so saturated with the 1-800- LapBand song, my then 10 year old girl was singing it all the time.