youngest to have the surgery

[Guest guest]

Speaking of this Subject--youngest to have the surgery.

I have a 13 year old--5 foot 3, 220 pounds, BMI of 40, no comorbids.

Ok, first I am not advocating surgery for a 13 year old, but where do you

draw the line?? My nine year old is 5 foot even, and 160, my other nine year

old is 4'11 and 140.... do you see where I am going with this?? I am worried

that each of them are following in my foot steps, and I was 5 foot 6 and 135

in 5th grade!!! I am now just a few pounds shy of 400, not a happy place. I

most definately do NOT want them to experience the **oh so wonderful**

teenage years of being fat.

I am hopeing that my surgery will alter the eating patterns of the family

enough to engender the kids to lose the weight. We have tried pediatric

healthy me " type programs, weight watchers with my oldest, and trying to

ensure that they do have healthy options--fruit and cut up veggies for

snacks, etc. So far nothing much has worked--- another really frightening de

ja vu trend. They, like me, are volume eaters, and a ton of carrot sticks

can add up too. Unfortunatly its not just carrot sticks. I have gradualy

worked to reduce portion sizes, especially with my son, who is as true a

carb addict as they come. Not sweets, just pastas and breads (his twin

sister is the sweet addict)

It broke my heart yesterday when my son asked my when *his* surgery date

was!!! He was being teased at school about being fat. My oldest wants to

know why she has to " do it the hard way " .

Any advice y'all??? I feel like a failure as a person, parent and RN--who

should know better.

Ru