Jackie

Just wanted to let everyone know that I have emailed allergen about the trials. I followed the link on the clinical trials and have emailed them 2 times now and still have heard nothing. I am NOT giving up though. I will keep updating anything I hear. Thanks everyone. >

I also have Blue Cross Blue Shield and they do not cover for anyone under 18. This is not approved in the US for teens yet but there are clinical trials going on right now. I have contacted a few of the places and allergen to see how I go about trying to have my daughter banded in a trial. She is almost 16 and we are in the same boat.

There is no way that I can pay out of pocket so my family doctor and I have discussed things and we are now doing a supervised diet with her so that if she is not able to be banded in the trial when she is 18 we will have what we need to submit to insurance if she was not able to lose the weight with the supervised diet.

I do believe that it will be covered in the states very soon as does my doc and surgeon. Until then we will keep trying for the trial and doing the supervised diet.

Good luck to you and congratulations on your decision to band!!!

By First Coast News Staff

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- The FDA is conducting an adolescent lap band trial that provides free lap band surgeries for overweight teenagers in five states, including Florida. There will be 25 surgeries in each state.

Usually Insurance companies do not cover this type of surgery for teenagers under the age of 18.

The FDA is now giving free lap band surgeries to teens under 18 to see how effective they can really be. The idea is to possibly turn insurance companies around to pay for these lap band surgeries in children 14 to 17 years old.

The FDA is looking for adolescents to participate in the lap band study; each participant will get a lap band surgery at no cost.

If anyone is interested in applying, contact JACKSONVILLE SURGICAL ASSOCIATES the number is 904-399-4004. Ask for Jody Debord.

To be accepted in the study, teens have to be between the ages of 14 and 17 and they have to be at least 100 pounds overweight.

Created: 6/15/2007 4:19:37 PM Updated: 6/15/2007 4:56:43 PM

I know how you are feeling. I am just now starting the whole process...referral appointment, seminar and etc. I have a 15 (almost 16) year old daughter who also suffers from obesoty and she is not eligible for surgery until she is 18 and then insurance will cover. My insurance will cover me now (my doctor is sure because of my weight and problems with my knees, hips and etc from weight bearing) Anyway....I talked with my daughter and explained everything to her and she is upset. She doesn't want to be heavy either and there is nothing that I can do for her but she wants me to be healthier. I just feel guilty and like I am 'abandoning her'. I bought the nutrisystem for her to try. I have lost in the past with phen phen and I have tried about everything on the market and haven't been able to maintain and now I haven't lost anything. No matter how hard I try. I have gained so much and now it hurts to be on my feet and standing for to long. I just feel like I can't 'justify' doing this for myself and hurting her.