July 3, 2008 Today show / Topic Teen Gastric Bypass

[beth anne herrin]

OK, so I am a little overwhelmed by work, and simply need a break. My dog has not been much for conversation today....it is raining a lot, and she is preferring napping to keeping me company.

So....I am taking a break from work, and seeking out folks to chat with that might have insight into the subject of "teens and gastric bypass"

The Today show did a segment this morning that featured 2 seventeen year old girls that had resorted to bypass surgery for weight loss / control.

Here is what is puzzling me.....they shoed the b4 and after shots of the girls after loosing 100+ LBS. Even after weight loss, the girls natural faces seemed to be round and full. Even their bodies were still curvy and full.

My questions are.....what if they were made to be full? Will any type of surgery change the way they were made? What is the long term risk of having this surgery at 17? I don't have alot of experience with the surgery, but the 4-5 people I know that have had it have not had a pleasant experience. Sure, they all lost weight, but some are also loosing all their hair because of mal-nutrition.

OK, so I took a break, threw out something to talk about, and would love to hear back from some of you.....It is just bothering me that media is attacking "fat kids" so much over the past few months.....

[Caseyfern]

The idea of teens having gastric bypass surgery gives me the shivers. I recall thinking, as a very heavy teen, that I would have done anything to lose the weight and have a shape other than 'round.' The girls have my complete understanding and empathy.

Teenage years come with their own set of self-esteem issues. Weight and size acceptance are contributors, naturally. I'm so jazzed and proud when I read about the efforts of teens and young adults to promote and support size acceptance.

A friend of mine went through gastric bypass many years ago, dropped a phenomenal amount of weight, and developed a brand new enthusiasm for life for a short time. She also lost a good deal of her hair, started suffering from very bad acne, and did not take steps to deal with the life pressures that surrounded her. Within eight years she had regained almost every pound she had lost via the surgery, plus a few more. Her skin cleared up and her hair grew back to its former fullness, and her stress is still her stress.

Between media attacks and the growing availability of purported 'magic bullet' solutions, it's becoming even more important for us to reach out with understanding and acceptance to our New Normal sisters and teens.

[Peppermint_Patt]

I too have friends that have been through gastric bypass and the challenges they have encountered have turned me off to any idea of trying it. I have found that over the years that I catch myself comparing how I look in photos to how I looked in past years. I am now probably at my heaviest. On the other hand, I stopped smoking two years ago, and stopped drinking alcohol one year ago. My body is a lot healthier as a result but no magic happened to make me lose weight. I have added FMS to the equation and that is a zapper of energy. The best thing I have is my strong faith in God and a realization that although I have FMS, it is not terminal. That is a wonderful blessing and I do my best to adapt and keep going. Having a positive attitude about life is my biggest boost and most confusing aspect to many others since I don't spout "doom and gloom." I do my best to surround myself with other positive, successful, energetic, and uplifting people!

[Caseyfern]

FMS is not terminal, but there are some days you could fool me! Nothing like a good three-day flare to get me shouting 'Give Me Strength!' And you're absolutely right - positive attitude, a healthy outlook, and an extremely giddy sense of humor can help us overcome so many obstacles!

[beth anne herrin]

Patti: I love the way you think! Many of us measure ourselves by pictures that are 20 years old! Most of us are heavier now than we were in our 20's, or even 30's. You know.....I saw a story yesterday on how "Sleepless in Seatle" was going to be re-released.....take a look at Tom Hank's 20 years later! I thought he was cute then, he is still cute now! But rounder! Same with John Travolta, and women celebs too! Our bodies change over time. I would have to say that I agree with you that being "healthy" is the most important. Stopping smoking is no easy task. For this alone I stand up and applaud you! I would say that your faith in God will be just what you need to help you keep going. Being positive and grateful helps, and eliminating those around you that bring gloom! Casey has a goodpoint about a sense of humor too! I think that laughing is good medicine and cures a lot of things that could otherwise make you blue! To you, I say live life tothe fullest exactly where you are today!

[Peppermint_Patt]

I am afraid that so much media attention to teens that are overweight will lead to more teen suicides. I taught many kids who were ignored because of their weight,
Teens are inclusive only of those that they feel comfortable with, making someone who is overweight feel like an outcast. It is an epidemic that needs to be addressed.
There is no one for the kids to turn to within the school environment to deal with the possibilities that are available to lose weight. Too, when there are groups such as a walking club after school, many times the kids in this group receive heckling from peers who have no need of it. So much of the weight situation is related to the genes
each individual inherits. When will this be something important enough to address to help someone who deals with weight issues on a daily basis?

[beth anne herrin]

Patti:
I volunteer with at risk kids (specifically teens in urban areas). A lot of these kids are overweight and struggling with confidence and self esteem. One thing I do with young girls in my neigborhood is GIVE THEM A JOB!! I have a few things the HS girls can come in and do after school. I don't limit it to just simple tasks, I actually give them jobs like helping respond to customer feedback, creating our mailings, working on trend research, any number of things. My motto to the girls is "If you can dream it, you can do it!". I want them to believe in themselves, and learn to love themselves right where they are. Regardless of size.

Being a plus size woman, they look at me and say, "hey, she did it!" and I hope that they will begin to feel that they don't need their peers approval to fit in.

[Caseyfern]

Beth Anne, you inspire me every single day. Bless you.

[Peppermint_Patt]

Beth Anne, Hooray! You are a Winner! I love your solution and wish I could have offered something similar to my former students. I did encourage them to "Never Give Up and Dare to Dream" but that's not the
same. I wish there were more people like you who recognize the value of our youth! I am sure they consider you to be a wonderful and remarkable role model!