Teens and Weight Loss Surgery...hmmm
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Andrea Giancoli, MPH, RD
According to the director of the Center, Dr. Jeffrey L. Zitsman, LAGB was chosen "because it is completely reversible, it does not reroute patients' digestive anatomy, and the laparoscopic technique is minimally invasive." That's definitely good news that it's reversible but what happens when it is reversed?
There are currently around 50 teens in the program. The release didn't state how overweight or obese the teens have to be to be eligible for the surgery, but it does make reference to a BMI of 40 and above. In adults this is considered morbidly obese or extremely obese. Research in adults shows that in such obese individuals the risk of surgery is far less than their risk of continuing to be obese. So will this also prove to be the case in adolescents? Quite possibly but the data isn't there yet. Kids with a BMI of 40 and above don't often lose the weight or maintain weight loss, so is surgery the answer?
How do y'all feel about performing bariatric surgery on teens? I have pretty mixed thoughts. Being obese carries with it many risks and so does surgery. The reality is that prevention is probably the only way we are going to reverse the obesity epidemic because we just haven't figured out how to treat it adequately without significant risk.
But that's no help for those who are already in trouble. I want to hear your thoughts pro and con on this subject. Is this the answer for our obese teens?
I don't know if you can access the release on Newswise but here is the link just in case http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/525553/?sc=dwhn.
If not go to their website by clicking here.
Ok, now let's hear it!
4 Comments:
At Fri Dec 01, 07:37:00 AM 2006,
Anonymous said…
This is awesome news. Too many kids today are getting fat and this is a chance to lose that weight, gain some respect, and do it in a healthy way! Thanks..
At Tue Dec 05, 02:58:00 PM 2006,
Anonymous said…
I think bariatric surgery for teens is a bad idea. What are we teaching? Lifestyle adjustment will not work and surgery is the quick fix. We are also telling them they don't have to take responsibility. Yes, I know people have to make some adjustments after bariatric surgery and it's not a quick fix, but sure is quicker than lifestyle adjustment.
Dale Fuller, FNP
At Wed Dec 06, 09:28:00 AM 2006,
Kim said…
Hmmm...banding seems much less invasive than actual gastric bypass/stapling.
A BMI of 40 is huge.
We are talking adolescents here, I'm wondering if the increase in self esteem that would come from losing the weight would be an even greater factor in choosing this route.
Of course, the procedure should come with education in lifestyle changes, exercise and counseling for both the patient and the family so when it comes time for the "unbanding", the patient has the skills to not end up right back at the BMI of 40 a year later.
But if they can lose the weight while the education is in progress, they will feel better about themselves and motivated to change. Nothing provides more incentive to lose weight than losing weight!
I think it sounds like a great option for some kids.
At Thu Dec 07, 12:07:00 PM 2006,
Andrea Giancoli, MPH, RD said…
Like I said, this is a controversial sugject. Yes a BMI of 40 is pretty heavy. What are the the other alternatives?
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