Teen Weight Loss Surgery Unhealthy for Many Reasons

I had the sleeve and I only lost about 25lbs and could not lose any more no matter what i did. I hit a plateau. I am very disappointed

I have to defend Nina here. I'm about 30 pounds overweight and yes, I'm healthy.

My blood pressure, cholesterol, etc. is all perfect. I have a resting heart rate of 60. I can easily run 2 miles, and do just about every day. But I just happen to be overweight. There's absolutely nothing wrong with my body.

Isn't it easier and cheaper to just eat a few more veggies than you're used to and walk a few extra blocks a day? People need to realize that weight loss takes time. A lot of time. I lowered my calorie intake and opted to do more walking, and lost 20 pounds. Granted, since I didn't radically change anything it took a few years, but taking positive steps will show themselves in time. A quick fix isn't always the best fix.

Its like the young girl on biggest loser that just got voted off who had the surgery when she was about 14, and obviously it didnt work because she was on the biggest loser, she thought it would be a quick fix and didnt diet or exercise after having it done.

Sorry Nina, but I refused to believe that by being overweight you are as healthy as you could be. No body is made to be overweight.

Too many people continue to see this surgery as a quick fix. They fail to change their lifestyle to support weight loss and, within 5 years, a large number of patients gain their weight back. For most, it is just another unrealistic expectation that this surgery will cure their obesity.

I don't think that teens should be having gastric bypass surgery. I feel that that early in their lives, they are selling themselves short. I think that having the surgery is one of the toughest decisions that a person has to make and it shouldn't be made lightly. Having the surgery is not a quick fix and should never be looked at like it is. It's a dangerous procedure that comes with it's own set of risks and complications. You have to take your vitamins every day, you have to consume your required amount of protein every day, and you have to exercise frequently. You also have to take into consideration the mental aspects of having the surgery. Having the surgery makes you run the risk of having serious depression as well as negative body image issues.

I had a VSG (Vertical sleeve gastrectomy) in June of this year. I am still losing weight and I tell you that every day I look at myself I think I look fat. However, when I look at myself in the mirror, I think that I look better than I have in a very long time. I don't regret making the decision to have the surgery because I was having serious issues with my health. I just think that having teenagers have this surgery is a bit premature.

Medical assistance if necessary is great, but I'm sure some doctors will advise againts it, there are many pros and cons when it comes down to teens. Teens are still growing, I have one of my friends young cousin that wanted to do it, of course she opted out when she found out all the stuff that can go wrong, as of now she is really trying to change her sedentary life, we're happy for her, either way we all want what's best for her, her family wants her to be around for a long time, her boyfriend has been supportive and kind thru the years.

I don't feel that any bariatric surgery should be elective. I think if one's health is being negatively impacted by their weight and their physician feels that it would be a good idea, then they should have the surgery. Complications with weight loss surgery are frequent. Not just during the post-op period, but for the rest of their lives. Using these risky procedures for cosmetic purposes is a bad idea. Quick fixes rarely have the lasting outcome that one hopes for without any side effects. I know that dieting and exercising is difficult, and extremely frustrating, but it is so much healthier than going under the knife.

It scares me how many people are having these surgeries when we know so little about the long-term results. Even the basic premise-losing weight and keeping it off-has not been proven to be very effective. After several years, a statistically significany portion of those who had the surgery are overweight again.

Eating right and exercising can be difficult, but it's simply the only way to be healthy. And I agree with 1493-if you are significantly overweight Nina, then you aren't healthy.

I have been overweight for 30 years half of my life. I would do anything to be thin. I've tried everything and if I could afford it I would have the surgery. Sometimes your body is just made to be overweight. I am very healthy just overweight. I am Russell's wife Nina

One of my very best friends that I love dearly had a weight loss surgery done at 18, and she hasn't been the same since. She's managed to keep the weight off for 3 years now, but the psycological effects have really hit her hard. She lost her mind completely! Shortly after she had the surgery, her longtime boyfriend broke up with her and she went nuts. She became promiscuous, which she had never been before, and she has the mind of a bullemic person. She looks in the mirror and sees a fat, ugly girl instead of the thin, beautiful woman she really is. After a huge life-altering procedure, its recommended you receive counseling, but she didn't. She has now developed bullimia, but won't admit to it, so I can't help her. It breaks my heart. Our friendship has even changed since the surgery, and not for the better. I hope she gets the help she needs soon before she dies.