Lap band doctors for teens in the US?

jackie506 · 06-16-2007, 05:00 PM

Does anyone know of doctors within the US who are placing lapbands on teens. My daughter is 16 and has been obese since 7-8 years old. We have been trying to find more info on this and the only doc I have found is in Mexico. I just am not comfortable taking her out of the states.
I will be banded in July (hopefully) but our insurance will not cover her until she is 18.
If anyone has any info on this I would really appreciate you sharing. I read a post by another 16 year old on here that she is being banded and the FDA is paying for it. I was just wondering how she got that. I don't know where to even start searching for something like that.
Thanks everyone in advance for any info you have to share. My daughter is a pretty determined girl and we are just researching at this point.

m1hocker · 06-16-2007, 07:03 PM

I know that my doctor's office told me that they were going to be banding a younger boy, don't want to say exact age because I can't remember for sure, sometime soon. My surgeon is Dr. Malley, located in Kansas. He is an unbelievable surgeon. Great man who honestly wants good outcomes with his patients. He is a very firm believer on follow up visits, so you would have to be willing to follow through with that. If you want more info, his website is Kansas City LAP-BAND® System Surgery : Weight Loss LAP-BAND® System Surgery Experts. Check it out.

Marimaru · 06-16-2007, 09:39 PM

To the best of my knowledge, it's not FDA approved for people under 18 in the US yet... I know there are some surgeries going on, likely FDA trials...

jackie506 · 06-16-2007, 10:17 PM

Thanks for the replies. I have been researching for a while and then today I found that the FDA is doing clinical trials on teens right now. I have emailed them and then called and left a message for more information. We will see what comes out of it.
Thanks again!!

m1hocker · 06-17-2007, 10:49 AM

I remember the office stating that it was for a trial, but wasn't exactly sure what they meant by that. Sarah's explanation clarified that for me. Good luck getting some info.

jackie506 · 06-17-2007, 10:58 AM

:update:

There is a place to email allergen (inamed) on their website to get more info on this. Just wanted to let everyone know. Keep your fingers crossed and please send prayers up for us. I am trying to see what I can keep digging up.
Thanks everyone!

JulieNYC · 06-17-2007, 07:35 PM

You might want to check out the Program for Surgical Weightloss at NYU...

NYU Thin For Life