Is Bariatric Surgery an Appropriate Treatment for Adolescent Obesity?
Bariatric surgery is being employed more and more today to fight obesity in adults. And it is being suggested that the surgery is appropriate for children. In general, to be a candidate for bariatric or weight-loss surgery, using the National Institutes of Health (NIH) guidelines, an adult must have a BMI greater than 40 or a BMI greater than 35, with weight related comorbidities. Last year, the FDA lowered the BMI guidelines for lap band surgery to 30 for those with weight related comorbidities. Now, some experts believe that it may be appropriate to consider laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding for adolescents.
As one study indicated: “Morbidly obese adolescents often fail to lose weight with diet and exercise and, as adults, become candidates for surgical intervention." And the researchers continued: "The presence of more serious co-morbidities in obese adults, coupled with the successful weight loss after laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding, in adolescents suggests that weight loss surgery might be indicated at a younger age for severely obese individuals.”
It should be emphasized, however, that before opting for bariatric surgery, weight loss providers and their patients should engage in an intense diet, exercise and counseling program. However, when non-surgical methods fail, being able to use bariatric surgery might not be out of the question. One of the forms of bariatric surgery being proposed for adolescents by some experts is lap band surgery. It should be noted, however, that lap band surgery has it drawbacks.
As one study indicated: “Morbidly obese adolescents often fail to lose weight with diet and exercise and, as adults, become candidates for surgical intervention." And the researchers continued: "The presence of more serious co-morbidities in obese adults, coupled with the successful weight loss after laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding, in adolescents suggests that weight loss surgery might be indicated at a younger age for severely obese individuals.”
It should be emphasized, however, that before opting for bariatric surgery, weight loss providers and their patients should engage in an intense diet, exercise and counseling program. However, when non-surgical methods fail, being able to use bariatric surgery might not be out of the question. One of the forms of bariatric surgery being proposed for adolescents by some experts is lap band surgery. It should be noted, however, that lap band surgery has it drawbacks.
One of the drawbacks of bariatric surgery for children might be an interference with a child's growth. And overall, the surgery may not be as effective as once thought. In fact in Europe, lap band surgery is being chosen less often for weight loss. Still, more research will help determine if the surgery might be a good option for obese adolescents. At any rate, bariatric surgeons and physicians who specialize in nonsurgical medical weight loss (bariatricians, for example) should work with their patients to arrive at the most appropriate weight loss treatment.
Even if lap band surgery is not as applicable or effective as we would like for it to be, the surgery could nevertheless have a place in the fight against obesity in adolescents. Indeed, getting a handle on any segment of childhood obesity will require using every option available.
Even if lap band surgery is not as applicable or effective as we would like for it to be, the surgery could nevertheless have a place in the fight against obesity in adolescents. Indeed, getting a handle on any segment of childhood obesity will require using every option available.
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