13 yr old getting sleeve. Need recommendations in Mexico

[slcmommy5 228]

Let me preface by saying we have done everything we can to help our daughter. Dr.'s, nutritionists, personal trainers etc, since she was 8. Nothing has worked. We think she's beautiful the way she is! This is something she has wanted and been begging us for! She wants to enjoy her teenage years, make friends and enjoy life. She doesn't feel like her physical appearance reflects who she is in the inside and feels like it holds her back. She is very depressed and begging us for surgery. We cannot afford a US doctor. I need to know who you would go to in Mexico if this was your 13 year old. This would be for sleeve.Please I don't need mean or critical comments. Thank you

[Recycled 2,182]

Even adults fully aware of the risks and demands of post sleeve surgery have difficulties with handling this type of surgery and the demands post-op. Are you sure your 13 year old has the discipline to adhere to the restrictions following sleeve surgery. The consequences could be life threatening.

Sorry, but you are being somewhat narrow minded if you choose to ignore advice simply because you perceive it to be critical. At the very least, you need to discuss this decision with some professionals.

[slcmommy5 228]

The reason is because I have had the surgery, I know what it entails . I simply need advise on surgeons in Mexico.

[HHHappy 225]

I can only imagine how hard it is for your daughter to face the weight battle at such an early age. There's a subsection of this forum dedicated to Self pay and Mexico. Look for that and read, read, read. Has you daughter been online reading the forums, too? I would suggest that as well. You may have already done that.

[RebecaSparkles 247]

I think Dr.aceves has a youtube channel where he talks about sleeving his niece @ 12.

I think you're being a great mom.

[FitnFabfor2014 358]

Hi. No judgement from me whatsoever. I understand what growing up over weight does to your self esteem. Growing up today is nothing like when I was a teenager (I work at highschool). I had my surgery here in the U.S., but I'm just wondering if maybe your doctor could recommend you to someone? Or are they being no help at all and not supporting your decision?

​ Good luck to your daughter. I hope this is a start to her new beginning. With you being sleeved she has a chance at being successful.

Edited February 16, 2014 by FitnFabfor2014

[Truth&Gutz 20]

I ams so sorry to hear of your dear child's struggles.....have you spoken to your pediatrician for advise.....? Perhaps, seeing an adolescent therapist might be of help at this juncture ? A child of 13 is still developing on every level and it would be worth checking out every other possible medical evaluation...including seeing an endocrinologist to see if there is an underlying medical problem.....? How did she gain the weight? Was it s sudden onset or did it develpop over a period of time ?Running to a so called surgeon in Mexico to have this most serious surgery done would be difficult on every level......the so called surgeons in Mexico do not have the Post Graduate training as do physicians in the USA.....should something go wrong....as they often do......there clearly is no recourse.....none ! There are plenty of fine bariatric

programs geared to children that are connected to teaching hospitals.....and, often, they are funded so that you could get the assistence that you might need,,,,even in the USA....it is a long process.....it takes time......and it should....there should be clearance done by a psychiatrist,aocial worker, gastroenterologist, pulmonologist,cardiologist,primary care physician.....an adult who goes through the surgery often has some set backs.....and it is not easy......a person must be emotionally and physically ready to go into that journey.....it is not a quick fix.....I thought ot going to MExico for this procedure and after doing my due diligence.....and lots of research.....I decided to find a program in the USA with a Post Graduate trained surgeon at a teaching hospital that had ALL of the Safeguards built into the program.......I understand how hard it must be as a mom to want to help your child......I have experienced the very same issues with one of my own children.....there is help out there.....but, not in a so called 'surgeon's' office in Mexico......much too risky....and much too dangerous......there must be a teaching hospital where you reside......? Wishing your child all the best for good health.......

[Kindle 8,667]

Would you consider lap band, instead? This could help her learn healthy choices and to lose weight and yet not affect her physically for the rest if her life. That would leave her options to have the band removed once she's reached goal and still have the sleeve if she chooses to do it as an adult.

Here is a link to Obesity Control Center's surgical options page for adolescents http://www.obesitycontrolcenter.com/surgery-options/adolescent-weight-loss-surgeries.php

You may contact Dr. Ortiz to discuss your daughter's best option.

Edited February 16, 2014 by Kindle

[Madam Reverie 2,958]

What a very tough call.

I am not a parent, so I wouldn't even dream of adding anything on the pros and cons side of this. Nor have I been to Mexico - which is truly the information you're after.

What I will say though, as an adult that was fat all the way through my adolescence ...

What progressive parents you are for avidly exploring all the options. I commend you for being so open-minded.

I spoke about weight loss surgery to my mother when I was 14 ish.. She laughed me out of the room with a sneer of derision.

How totally different my life would have been if I had not had to endure the years of heartache that my weight had caused.

The smashed self-esteem, the mocking, the insecurity, the skewed perception of relationships, my inferiority complex. It goes on and on... and it impacted upon EVERYTHING which then in turn, hugely influenced my adulthood.

I hope you get all the information you can and for it to be quality information - without judgement or derision.

My thoughts are with you and your daughter and wish you all the best of luck -in whatever you decide.

[Fiddleman 4,376]

I do not know if any of us can even answer this question honestly because we are so biased by those youthful years of tormenting damage to our self esteem from being overweight. Of course we are going to say have the surgery, but it is such a biased answer.

[Jenny12 361]

That's tough. I feel for your daughter. I also feel 13 is entirely too young for this surgery, but if you're going to do it anyway, at least please save up and do it with a reputable surgeon in the US at a center of excellence who has the pre-op and post-op programs that she can be involved in that are so very important, especially for someone so young. She is going to need even more assistance than the rest of us I would think. This is a very life changing surgery.

I'm not saying Mexican surgeons are bad at all. My boyfriend just got back from Mexico a month ago. But someone so young, at least do this at a great hospital here in the United States who maybe has some experience with someone who isn't fully grown.

But if your mind is made up: Dr. Alvarez or Dr. Acevez. I wouldn't go to anyone else in Mexico (only MY opinion based off of MY research, no disrespect to anyone else's surgeons in Mexico).

[Susysleever 265]

I saw a youtube br dr. Alvarez (next to texas) His practic is endobariatric.com. He has a video of a young girl~8 yrs? He treated. He may be a surgeon to contact in addition to dr. Aceves in tj. Good luck.

[Kristin1969 57]

I am 7 days post op and was sleeved by Dr Alvarez @ Endobariatric.com. I'm doing great. I highly recommend him and especially in your circumstance. He has experience sleeving young patients, he even sleeved his own niece at a very young age (not sure exactly how young but certainly younger than 13). Good luck!

[LindafromFlorida 1,542]

I will only say I would not take my 13 year old daughter to Mexico for surgery. If I wanted the surgery for her, I would find a way pay for the best U.S. hospital and surgeon I could afford. Have you considered follow-up care? You need guidance and follow-up for any problem.

[7 Bites_Jen 479]

I was obese as a child.
My daughter is currently obese.
I don't know that I would consider surgery for her at this stage (she's 9), but at 13 ... Who knows?
I don't know about surgeons in Mexico, but I do know that a lot of surgeons won't do it on someone quite so young because they are still developing. That being said, YOU are her parent and only you can say what is and isn't right for your child. Be sure she has support at every turn - find a good support group you can go to together so that she knows 100% what is going to happen and what all it entails.

I do recommend, however, that you do see some specialists to rule out any underlying conditions first.
If I may also ask - just how overweight is she? And you also need to do some soul searching of yourself to find YOUR reasons for wanting this so bad for her. Is it worth doing it NOW - or would it be worth waiting until she's 16 and giving her more time for growth and maturity.

Good luck to you in whatever you chose for you and your daughter.