Pardon me if this sounds harsh, but am i the only one who heard when she was questioned about counting calories and exercise that she responded with something to the effect of:

I try to count calories sometimes, but you know...

And I exercise a couple of times a week for 45 minutes?  That is not enough exercise at all!!!

And they want her to have a life altering surgery with strict life changes.  She couldn't even answer those two questions with clarity.  If she can't follow a simple exercise regimen and have a strict diet plan, made in advance with calories taken into account.  She's going to be a very sick child after this surgery!!

I feel there was a lot left unsaid with this story.

I had Gastric Bypass Surgery 1 year ago as of Nov 1st. I considered the lap-band but my surgeon said it was a poor choice for me because I was young. They don't tell you but the band lasts on average 15 years and then has to be replaced. I am 29 and that could mean another 3 surgeries in my future! I am so thankful for the permanent solution of gastric bypass surgery. Also if you get the lap band you are not limited in how much sugar or fat you can have, with gastric bypass you get sick if yu have too much sugar or fat so it forces you to make a lifestyle change to healthier foods.

I appreciate the feedback, it just seems a little barbaric to be thrown into a life change like that.  It also seems dangerous.  I have always been thin and had no idea what a diet even looked like.  My daughter however got her father's genes and started to have some challenges.  We had to educate ourselves together on healthy eating and lifestyle changes.  It wasn't fun but we made it a project and we worked on together.  She also took up swim (5 days a week, not 2).  Luckily we were able to control it and we both learned some good new habits.  I just feel that this poor girl hasn't been given a real chance and I (only my opinion) would insist as her mother that she make those changes necessary to have the surgery prior to that surgery.  It could save her so much pain and anguish and maybe, just maybe doing that first would work and avoid surgery all together.  I'm not against it, it just seems that people are sometimes too eager to take the easy route and many times it's not as easy as they think.  I'm so happy for you that it worked out and i truly do not mean to dismiss anything.  I just feel that education is key here for her health.

Well I don't think the surgery is for a 14 year old unless she was like 400 pounds and then it would be grave. To be honest the girl I saw in that episode was overweight, but she didn't look like she weighed enough to be a candidate for bariatric surgery. It is hard to imagine making the decision at 14 about something liek this that will affect her FOREVER. At least at 28 years old I knew the party was over and that I knew what I was gving up. I can never eat a huge meal again, even a normal average meal for most people is not something I can have. I also can't have pasta or soft bread and several other things. 14 is just so young.. thanks for commenting back. My hubby is very slim, kinda underweight really. He has never struggled with weight a day in his life (except maybe trying to gain weight) I tryed for a year with his help to count calories and exercise and it helped, but I needed a bigger shovel to dig me out of my situation. That girl was still at a very workable size. losing 40 pounds is a differnt game than losing 143 pounds.