Gastric Bypass Surgery Support Group

Gastric bypass (GBP) is any of a group of similar operative procedures used to treat morbid obesity, a condition which arises from severe accumulation of excess weight in the form of fatty tissue, and the health problems ("co-morbidities") which result. If you are considering gastric bypass or have had it, join the community where we share our experiences and find support.

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Very Concerned

mrschizzy
mrschizzy
I have an 11 year old stepson who is short for his age and would be considered morbidly obese in adult terms. He is roughly 4 to 4.5 feet tall and according to the scale tonight, he weighs 155 pounds. When I did the BMI calculator, his BMI was 47, which for an adult is morbidly obese. I honestly don't know why he's gaining so much weight, we do watch his portions, but I often times wonder if we still give him too much because our own view of portion control is distorted. I'm very concerned about him because he is weak (i.e. not much muscle tone) and he has a lot of belly fat. I don't know what to do. The nutritionist we were seeing for him said that we should try to keep him at his current weight and that he would "grow into" the weight as he got taller. The problem is, he doesn't have "tall" genes anywhere in his family. His mother is 4'11" and his dad is 5'10". I'm at my wits end, I don't know what to do for him. He is so food-centric in the way he thinks. I don't know when he's actually hungry or when he just wants to eat because he's bored. I need help...I don't want him going down the same road as his Dad and I - we are both having RNY in the coming months and I really don't want him to go through this too!
deleted_user
deleted_user
He is lucky to have you because you care about him so much. I don't have children but I can appreciate your concern for him. We don't want anyone to live the life that we've been living because we know what a struggle it is.

Perhaps, he will pick up on your new healthy habits as you do through this journey.

I wish you luck and will send good thoughts his way, too.
xo
Mo
deleted_user
deleted_user
Don't limit his food, but absolutely abolish all sugar and starch from the house. Let him eat all the protein and veggies that he wants. Don't let him drink calories, either.

I know it is hard... I fight this battle with my kids too. Get it done now, before he is old enough to get a job and buy crap food for himself... that is the battle I am fighting in my own home right now.

Good luck!
Amanda
dnjnm
dnjnm
I would suggest get him exercising. It can be a family even like walking hiking, bike riding, playing sports, etc and you have the bonus of spending time as a family.
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deleted_user
deleted_user
My son was the same way. Short and heavy. Considered obese by his pediatrician. My children lives with us a week and their father a week so eating fast food is a way of life for their time with their dad.
I didn't hold out much hope for him slimming down from growing because I am barely 5'1" and their father is 5'10".
Lo and behold, a year later he has grown 7", towering above me now, and is the skinniest in the family after my tiny 4'11" daughter. He is almost 13.
His 10 yr old always skinny brother is following in his footsteps, short, put on a lot of weight, so this summer, even though I didn't feel like participating, we would go outside and get in some exercise. I felt that at least I wasn't adding to the pounds by not trying to get in some sort of exercise.
Research the low fat, no surger recipes that you will have to have after your GBS, and start cooking them now.
Good luck, honey,
Paula
deleted_user
deleted_user
Couple ideas... has his dr done bloodwork to be sure there are no thyroid etc problems? And my son loooves doing boxing, tennis,golf, and wii fit exercize. Its a dirty trick but you could get double exercize by saying "if you will keep me company on my walk, you can play wii when we get back" best of luck to you guys.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I wished my parents had cared enough to do something about my weight when I was young. You know what he's in for and I doubt you want that for him. There are several schools around the country for overweight teens that have nutritionists on staff. Otherwise you're going to need to get a hold of his weight and fast. Juvenile diabetes is growing faster than ever these days. He's gonna moan and groan and it's going to be a pain in the butt for you, but at his age, it's your responsibility to save him from himself. I know that sounds harsh, though not meant to be. But you've gotta take charge of the situation now rather than later.