Teen who underwent life-saving gastric surgery after a medical condition left her morbidly obese is devastated to learn the brain tumor which caused the illness has grown back Alexis Shaprio, 13, from Texas, developed hypothalamic obesity, which makes her feel constantly hungry, after doctors removed the tumor in 2011 She underwent gastric sleeve surgery in 2014, and lost 60lbs in six months On Oct 20, the teen's mom, Jenny, 35, revealed that Alexis' brain tumor has returned and that her daughter is 'scared' of gaining weight again
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A Texas teenager who gained national attention due to a rare medical condition which made her morbidly obese but constantly starving has been left devastated after learning that her brain tumor has grown back.
Alexis Shapiro, 13, of Cibolo, developed hypothalamic obesity, a disease which causes sufferers to never feel satiated, after doctors removed her benign brain tumor in 2011. She eventually underwent a life-saving surgical procedure to reduce the size of her stomach.
But now, the teen may be forced to go through the ordeal all over again after her mother Jenny, 35, revealed that her brain tumor has returned. 'Sad to say. Alexis had a routine MRI. The results are that her brain tumor has grown back. Just when we thought things were settling down,' Jenny wrote on the family's Facebook page Hope and Love for Alexis on October 20.
Jenny told People that Alexis broke down after learning that the tumor had returned, revealing: 'She pulled her shirt up over her mouth, eyes watering, and said: "I don't want to gain weight again."'
Her mother went on to share: 'The complication of hypothalamic obesity has been her biggest struggle.'
Alexis was in elementary school when doctors first detected the benign brain tumor. They removed the mass, but as a result of the surgery, her hypothalamus - the area of the brain which controls appetite - was damaged.
From then on, the child felt constantly hungry but never full, and gained 150lbs in just two years.
At 203lbs - despite being only 4'7 - Alexis was barely able to move her body, and could only stand up on her own for a few moments at a time.
After the family's health insurance company denied Alexis gastric sleeve surgery because of her young age, her parents started an online crowdfunding campaign and raised more than $86,000 for the procedure.
The child underwent the surgery in March 2014, and lost 60lbs in the six months following the procedure, which reduced the size of her stomach by 80 per cent.
Just one year later, Alexis completed her first 5K race and was healthier - and happier - than she had been in years.
But now, with the return of the tumor, the teen is bracing to go through the ordeal all over aga 'The last few days have been spent at the hospital, with doctor after doctor, test after test,' revealed Jenny, who added that the brain tumor is affecting her daughter's eyesight this time around.
She said that the family is consulting specialists to figure out the best way to stop the tumor's growth, but that Alexis is terrified of what's to come.
'Alexis has been so strong, but she is scared and does not want surgery to remove the recurrence,' shared Jenny.
She and her husband Ian, who are also parents to a daughter Kayley, 11, and son Ethan, 9, said they are committed to fighting for their eldest child's health.
'I have to show Alexis it's okay to be scared but you can't give up - and you definitely can't give up hope!' offered Jenny.
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I wonder if therapy could help? I mean, she knows logically that she doesn't need more food, right? So it is more a matter of self control.
I can't imagine being constantly hungry, though. That really must be terrible.
I don't think it is simply a matter of will and self control. Her illness no likely drives that. And, her illness is causing her to gain weight and not process food properly. It is a difficult position for her to be in.
I wonder if therapy could help? I mean, she knows logically that she doesn't need more food, right? So it is more a matter of self control. I can't imagine being constantly hungry, though. That really must be terrible.
Speaking as a person who can't eat less than the whole package of chocolate chip cookies,
I understand what it's like to be driven to eat.
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