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Is Bariatric Surgery A Safe Option For Teens?


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Because food is no longer an emotional crutch, teens will be forced to take an honest look at what made them overeat in the first place.

Already considered a drastic procedure to lose weight, bariatric surgery has come back into the spotlight once again. As the number of candidates continues to rise, doctors are noting a sharp increase in recipients who are under the age of 18. Researchers are now stepping in with new information that hopes to answer the question: Just how safe is bariatric surgery for teenagers?

Some scientists say it poses “no greater threat.”

After reviewing the data of nearly 55,000 patients who underwent bariatric surgery between 2002 and 2006, researchers at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center went on record as saying that the surgery posed no greater threat to younger patients than it does to older ones.

Another government study released in January revealed that:

  • More than 121,000 bariatric surgeries were performed in the United States in 2004.
  • 349 of these were performed on children aged 12-17.

Bariatrics is a branch of medicine that deals with the treatment and prevention of obesity. In the United States, it is estimated that more than half the population is overweight and that 15% of children are classified as obese. Surgeries such as gastric bypass and adjustable gastric banding are some of the operative options available to patients.

With gastric bypass surgery, a smaller pouch is created in the stomach that will hold less food than the original shape. Gastric banding works in almost the same way, except a band is fit around the stomach and can be pulled smaller or wider making the shape of the stomach adjustable.

There are numerous medical conditions associated with obesity including:

  • Congestive heart disease
  • Diabetes
  • Low self esteem

There are obvious benefits to having bariatric surgery, but some doctors are concerned that it may be too risky a procedure to perform on those who have not yet reached adulthood.

Teenagers Considering Bariatric Surgery Must Meet Strict Guidelines

What follows is a list of medical guidelines that will tell if gastric bypass or gastric banding surgery is right for them.

Possible candidates who are under 18:

  • Are typically over the age of 15. Most doctors will not treat anyone younger.
  • Need to have attained physical maturity.
  • Have been unsuccessful for more than 6 months with organized weight management programs. These programs must also have been under the supervision of their primary care doctor.
  • Have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of at least 40 (meaning they need to lose 100lbs or more of body fat) and have serious obesity-related diseases.
  • May also have a BMI of at least 50, but cannot have more than a few obesity-related diseases.
  • Must receive comprehensive psychological and medical evaluations before and after the surgery.
  • Have a supportive network of friends and family.
  • Agree not to become pregnant for at least 1 year following the procedure.

Teens Face Even Bigger Obstacles Following Surgery

Even if your child meets all of the requirements, there are still numerous obstacles ahead.

Patients are often disappointed when they find out any of the following:

  • Some insurance companies have refused to cover the costs of the procedure because of the patient’s age. The average price for gastric bypass surgery is anywhere from $20,000 to $35,000.
  • The mortality rate for bariatric procedures is about 1 in 300, although some studies believe it is closer to 1 in 50 if the surgeon is less experienced.
  • The average meal a person can ingest would fill ½ a cup. Many patients suffer from severe depression trying to cope with the loss of food.

Because food is no longer an emotional crutch, teens will be forced to take an honest look at what made them overeat in the first place.

Bariatrics As A Last Resort

The complex nature of the surgery, mixed with the emotional distress that follows, can be a lot to handle, especially in younger children.

This is not to say that bariatric surgery isn’t the right option, but it should be one that is taken very seriously, and only after all other options have been exhausted.

As with any surgery, regardless of age, patients need to know all the facts and be surrounded by a strong network of support.

Published: 08/29/2007, Last Updated: 08/23/2008

By LocateADoc.com Medical Staff Writers

Our writers strive to present an objective, upfront and open view of the medical procedures you're interested in. We present you with both the good and bad, and work to represent both doctors' and patients' points of view. Our articles contain facts and statistics obtained from medical associations, medical and surgical journals, and through doctor and patient interviews.





Gastric Bypass Surgery Surgery Information Guide

Basics of Gastric Bypass Surgery
"I've heard about the surgery and I'm looking to learn a bit more about things like cost, whether it's right for me, and what options I have."
  1. Gastric Bypass / Gastric Banding Basics
    Bariatric surgery, the surgical reduction of stomach volume, has been performed for decades in the United States. The two FDA approved procedures practiced most frequently are gastric bypass, which creates a small pouch that is attached to the small intestine, and gastric banding, a silicone band strapped around the upper portion of the stomach. Many of today's surgeries are done with minimally invasive technology that reduces pain and scarring.
  2. BMI for Children and Teens (BMI-for-age)
    Calculate the BMI for children and find out what it means.
  3. Body Mass Index Calculator (BMI)
    Take a moment to calculate your BMI and find out what it means. BMI is just one of many factors related to developing a chronic disease (such as heart disease, cancer, or diabetes).
  4. Bariatric Surgery Basics
    When diet and exercise have failed to produce results, an increasing percent of the population has turned to bariatric surgery, dramatically reducing their stomach volume. Though this procedure can offer benefits such as weight loss and reversal of life threatening diseases like type II diabetes, there are also associated risks that patients should be aware of. Choosing your surgeon carefully and being dedicated to post-operative changes in eating habits are steps to successful surgery.
Details of Gastric Bypass Surgery
"I already know some basic things about the surgery and I'm ready to research some of the details and maybe ask some questions."
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  2. Dietary Guidelines Focus on Calories, Physical Activity, and...
    The 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans was realesed January 12th. The report focuses on how Americans can live a healthier lifestyle by monitoring what foods their calories come from.
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  4. Do I Need Plastic Surgery After My Bariatric Surgery?
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  6. Patient Perspective: Losing Weight, Gaining Self-Confidence
    Marsha Friedberg underwent bariatric surgery in 2001 and plastic surgery to re-contour her body 3 years later. She is now healthy, happy, and enjoying life like she hasn't in years.
  7. Studying the Effects of Bariatric Surgery
    Recent studies show that experienced surgeons and hospitals greatly reduce the risks associated with bariatric surgery.
  8. Is Bariatric Surgery A Safe Option For Teens?
    New evidence suggests that teenagers are at no greater risk when they undergo bariatric surgery in order to lose weight, but some doctors are still skeptical.
  9. How to Choose the Right Doctor for Weight Loss Surgery
    With dozens of bariatric surgeons and doctors available, how do you make the right choice? Here are some tips on choosing the right doctor for weight loss surgery:
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Ready for Gastric Bypass Surgery
"I've pretty much finished by research on the surgery and I think I'm ready to find and meet with a doctor to get started."
  1. Seven Signs You’re Ready for Plastic Surgery
    If you’ve decided to jump into a plastic surgery to fix a figure flaw, you’ll be joining millions of Americans going under the knife for the latest procedure. But are you really ready?
  2. Find Bariatric Doctors In Other Cities
  3. Patient Financing
    Think you'll need help paying for your surgery? Almost anyone is a candidate for easy financing of up to 100% of the surgery costs.
After Gastric Bypass Surgery
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    From new workout routines to eating a high-protein meal plan, here are some healthy lifestyle tips for living well after drastic weight loss.
  2. Food Shopping After Gastric Bypass Surgery
    Since most bariatric patients must limit the quantities of food at each meal, a carefully planned menu is required. Here are some of the key foods to include in your weekly diet after gastric bypass surgery.
  3. Recommend Your Doctor
Featured Articles & News Related to Gastric Bypass Surgery
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    Bariatric surgery centers often take a more comprehensive approach and require more from their patients than basic surgeons that may not focus solely on baraitrics. If you're a patient that benefits from additional attention and additional tools and resources, both before and after surgery, centers of this type could offer you yet another option when considering bariatric surgery.
  2. Large Diet, Large Health Risks
    Morgan Spurlock and his thirty-day McDonald’s diet gained big numbers at the box office and on his doctor's scale. Read about his health risks and public and corporate reaction after the first few months in theatre.
  3. Bariatrics: The Surgical Way to a Smaller Stomach
    The high profile cases of bariatric surgery, including Roseanne Barr, Al Roker, and Carnie Wilson, have grabbed the American publics attention. The frequency of this stomach shrinking surgery is continually growing and attracting more and more of the medical profession with better technology and more experience.
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    If morbid obesity is taking its toll on your health and lifestyle, gastric band surgery may be an effective way to lose the weight for good. When you have over 50 lbs. to lose, dieting and exercise usually aren’t enough; gastric band surgery can help you lose the weight by constricting the size of your stomach so you simply eat less. Weight loss experts and bariatric surgeons are now turning to an improved version of the original silicone prosthetic device of gastric bands with The REALIZE Gastric Band.
  5. Seven Benefits of Gastric Bypass Surgery
    For those that have at least 100 pounds to lose, obesity surgery may be the only solution for stopping excessive weight gain in its tracks. Still, weight loss isn’t the only benefit of the drastic change; here are seven other advantages of the gastric bypass procedure.
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    Weight loss surgery offers hope for those who need to lose more than 100 pounds, and procedures such as gastric bypass, gastric banding and other bariatric procedures are helping many win at the battle of the bulge. But is surgery the only choice for dramatic weight loss?
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    To conquer the problem of excessive weight gain and cases of obesity, many Americans turn to gastric bypass surgery to eliminate the extra pounds. Unfortunately, these patients are also vulnerable to several vices if food addiction is left unaddressed.
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    While millions of obese patients pursue gastric bypass surgery to get rid of excess pounds, weight loss may not be the only reason to go under the knife. Gastric banding surgery may help improve conditions of Type 2 diabetes; find out why.
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Related Subjects and Keywords: bariatric surgery  lap-band surgery  gastric bypass  childhood obesity  bariatrics  weight loss 


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