Derailing destinyTeen to have gastric bypass to avoid life of illness By Jill Coley (Contact)
The Post and Courier
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Alan Hawes Alexis Khan gets help from her mother, Gina, as she is home schooled at her Johns Island home a week before her gastric bypass surgery. When Alexis Khan talks about the simple things she wants to do — ride a bike, go shopping at the mall — her lilting laugh punctuates each wish. Her toenails, painted bubble-gum pink, match her pink shirt and lip gloss. But the 16-year-old's weight is what most people notice. Alexis is 243 pounds, more than two-and-a-half times the 95-pound weight recommended for her 4-foot-11-inch tall frame. "I've been chubby — whatever you call it — all my life," Alexis said. "We've tried every diet under the sun." Alexis' weight has put her on course for an early death. She already has diabetes, sleep apnea and borderline hypertension. Scars riddle her shins from surgeries to correct her severely bowed legs, a result of Blount's disease, which is exacerbated by weight. Dr. Thomas Byrne, director of MUSC's Bariatric Surgery Program, said that a diabetic of her age could face kidney failure at 20; neuropathy, a nerve disorder, at 40; and could ultimately require a kidney transplant. To derail that destiny, Alexis and her mother Gina Khan-Debrum opted for gastric bypass surgery. The procedure will reduce the size of Alexis' stomach from that of a large grapefruit to a pouch the size of an egg. More obese teenagers are seeking surgical solutions. The number of adolescents who got the procedure between 1996 and 2000 remained constant but more than tripled from 2000 to 2003, according to the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine. Still, the 771 procedures performed on teens in 2003 constituted less than 1 percent of surgeries nationwide. When considering a teenager for surgery, Byrne said a candidate would need to be at least 100 pounds overweight and have medical problems. Nutrition is a concern for growing adolescents, so X-rays are taken of wrists and ankles to see if growth plates have fused, a sign of skeletal maturity. The surgery does not affect reproductive ability, he said. "The youngest we've done is 13," Byrne said. "So far, no one in the nation has done children under 13." 
Alan Hawes Alexis Khan, 16, studies Wednesday at her home on Johns Island before her gastric bypass surgery. Alexis' surgery, scheduled for Wednesday, will restrict the amount and type of food she can eat for the rest of her life. A 4-ounce jar of baby food will be two meals. Regiment is nothing new to Alexis. Three times she has successfully followed a medically prescribed high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet of 800 calories a day, the equivalent of a cup of roasted peanuts. At age 14, she got down to her lowest weight, 153 pounds. But when carbohydrates were re-introduced, the weight returned, plus 20 pounds. "Always plus 20," Alexis said. Her mother, Gina, is accustomed to the stares. "People look at you and think 'How did you let her get that size?'" Soon after Alexis turned a year old, people began telling her she needed to watch her daughter's weight. Doctors in California, where they lived, accused her of sabotaging her daughter's diet for attention, saying she had Munchausen by Proxy, a rare psychological condition in which a caregiver makes a loved one sick to gain attention. Khan-Debrum agreed to a 30-day hospital program in which she and her daughter would be monitored closely by psychologists and nutritionists. 
Gina Khan-Debrum By the time Alexis Khan turned 4, the bowing of her legs was pronounced, a symptom of Blount's disease that is exacerbated by weight. Alexis poses at her birthday party with her brother, Austin. Alexis' weight remained the same. The doctors apologized. Endocrinologist tests turned up nothing. A geneticist said she had a Cushingoid appearance — a rounded face and fat around the neck — but the high level of stress hormone that defines the syndrome was absent. The family moved to Johns Island about six years ago. In elementary school, Alexis said students threw pine cones, rubber bands and pencils at her. Dissatisfied with the school's handling of the situation and also her younger son's academic progress, the family opted for homeschooling. Byrne said that the vast majority of students who come to the bariatric program are homeschooled. "There's no question the morbidly obese are discriminated against," Byrne said. "It's the last acceptable discrimination." The Khan-Debrum household is stripped of fatty temptation. "I don't buy oil or butter. I never buy sugar. We use Splenda," Khan-Debrum said. Weight is something she and her son struggle with, too, but they manage it through diet and exercise. The children walk for half an hour every morning with her, and mealtimes are not "food centered." The family focuses on board games and conversation, not a table full of food. Meals are pre-portioned and balanced, she said. Alexis studies the binder of information before her surgery. It is not a magic pill. It's a tool, the material emphasizes. Ten percent of bypass surgeries have some complication, Byrne said. And 10 percent to 15 percent of patients put the weight back on. The procedure, which costs about $27,000, will pay for itself in a matter of years, as diabetes medicine becomes unnecessary and dialysis and transplants are avoided, Byrne said. Alexis' surgery is covered by the family's insurance. "I want to better my life and get healthier," Alexis said. Her long-term goal is to be a pediatrician. But, for now, buying something cute off the rack at the mall would suffice. Reach Jill Coley at 937-5719 or jcoley@postandcourier.com. |
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Comments
This article has 20 comment(s)
Posted by My_50Cents_Worth on October 14, 2007 at 6:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Battling weight at any age is a major feat and is truly something I can relate to. I wish this young lady well in her attempt to improve her health. I hope that her family continues to rally around her to ensure that she learns and lives a healthy post-gastro lifestyle with diet and exercise. I do not know much about gastro bypass surgery, but understand that it is a last resort as it relates to weight loss. Additionally, it requires a great deal of effort on the part of the recipient of the surgery to work hard towards weight loss goals post-op. Maintaining a healthy weight is more of a challenge for some than others. Good for the parents for trying to improve their child's quality of life.
Posted by proud2bme on October 14, 2007 at 8:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
My_50Cents_Worth
I agree, the parents are doing the right thing. I can't help but to think, something physically is going on despite the testing that's been done if the parents have had this young lady on a strict diet plan.
I hope to see an update in a couple months. Gastric bypass usually works wonders for overweight individuals.
Posted by granny2 on October 14, 2007 at 8:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Good Luck Alexis, I have someone in my family who is overweight and I know how mean some people can be towards you. I hope everything goes well, keep your head up and hang in there.
Posted by SomeTruthPlease on October 14, 2007 at 8:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I feel horrible that I've been complaining about the 100 pounds that I've gained since having my 3rd son 15 years ago...now that I'm in my 40's, It's so hard to get it back off...I hate the lethargy, the joint pain, and last, but not at all least, hate the ridicule that I get from others. I've been excluded from so many family functions because of it. I'm the only heavy person in my family, so I guess my parents and siblings think it's a reflection on how we were raised, or how they raised me. I despise clothes shopping, as it's hard to look at anything that can be described as "the square half-acre with a neck hole" as fashion. I will pray for this child, as I feel that at my age, I don't have to defend myself to anyone but me, but the cruelty that this beautiful child has had to endure shouldn't be inflicted on anyone. I hate that it has come to surgical intervention, but anything that may save her life will be worth it. Hang in there. Beauty truly IS only skin deep.
Posted by preachlove on October 14, 2007 at 9:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Some of the kindest people I've met in my life have been overweight people even though they are often ridiculed and are the butt of fat jokes. Rude and insensitive people never try to understand what these people are going through and probably couldn't walk a day in their shoes.
It must have been terrible for this young lady, as I know when my daughter was in the 2nd grade and called fat; she didn't have an inch of fat on her. My daughter was wearing a very nice outfit; I suspect she was called that out of jealousy.
It's amazing that some people can eat everything at the buffet table and not gain weight and someone like me who relishes chocolate cake and ice cream can just LOOK AT FOOD and gain weight. :-) If I didn't stay in the gym; I'd be in a whole lot of trouble!
I wish much success to this young lady.
Posted by underhay on October 14, 2007 at 11:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
good luck
Posted by flowlow on October 14, 2007 at 12:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Good for her! And for good on the parents, doing all the right things!
Posted by MDW on October 14, 2007 at 6:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It breaks my heart to see kids get picked on by their peers. Children can be cruel. Hell, adults can be cruel as well. And they should know better! One of my best friends is extremely overweight and is the nicest person I know. Too bad the women can't see past the weight. They'd see what they were missing. Good luck to you Alexis!
Posted by Nonni on October 14, 2007 at 7:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I am praying that the surgery helps. I have a daughter that was tortured by her peers in high school for the extreme opposite. She was 5'9" and at about 85 pounds then, she was always the butt of jokes. Kids can be mean and the kids that are teased, ridiculed and bullied rarely smile. Good luck to you Alexis! It sounds like you have an outstandingly supportive mom and we will be praying for all of you!
Posted by RTC on October 14, 2007 at 8:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Now maybe people understand why so many young girls and women develop eating disorders like anorexia nervosa and bulimia.
I lost an aunt at the age of 46 due to bulemia. That was in the 70's, so no one knew what bulemia was back then.
She purged because she was married to an abusive alcoholic.
I guess she thought if she was skinny enough then he would stop the drinking and abuse.
There is too much emphasis on being "skinny" anymore because of all the hype about America's obesity problem.
There can be many reasons for obesity, and it is not always overeating.
I hope this young lady is successful for her health's sake.
Posted by Hott_Temper on October 15, 2007 at 12:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Keep your head up. I wish you the best of luck in your journey!
Posted by Early on October 15, 2007 at 8:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Good luck Alexis, I have a feeling there is a very beautiful young woman that's about to immerge to match the beautiful person inside.
Posted by mypointofview on October 15, 2007 at 8:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Good luck, my dear. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Posted by CHRISJIII on October 15, 2007 at 9:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Best of luck to you Alexis, never give up!!!
Posted by Girleygirl on October 15, 2007 at 10:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Good luck Alexis!!!!
Posted by TarNFeatherEm on October 15, 2007 at 10:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Good Luck Alexis! My mother has lost 130 pounds from this surgery and feels and looks wonderful! She feels like she has her life back! I know you will too!
Posted by eyfigueroa on October 15, 2007 at 11:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
buenos suerte!
Posted by danielle4kids on October 15, 2007 at 3:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Alexis and her family have been a such a blessing to us!Alexis is a very sweet girl and always happy to help others in need. We wish you the best and pray that all will go well with the surgery and recovery. God bless!
Posted by Hellen on October 15, 2007 at 7:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Alexis, you are taking a very big step in changing your life forever. I am sooooo happy for you and want you to know that I've sent Jill all my contact information so if you need someone to talk to - I'm here (I live on Johns Island, too!). I just had gastric bypass surgery on September 12th of this year & have lost 47 pounds! It's not easy, sweetheart, but it will be sooooo worth it - you are in my heart and my prayers as well as your family. And there are a WHOLE lot of others who are thinking about you as you get the tool that's going to change your life. {{Hugs}} Hellen
Posted by MHA on October 16, 2007 at 1:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This story is not news worthy. Parents let kids get fat. Parents blame society. Parents take kids out of society. Sad story, but not news worthy.
Anyt time I head the words "home schooling" I have to laugh.