Bariatric Surgery for Adolescents with Morbid Obesity

Abstract

The prevalence of obesity has reached epidemic proportions among adolescents. Medical therapies only, however, cannot provide reasonable weight loss in all age groups. Bariatric surgery has been shown to provide a significant and durable alternative for weight loss in the adult and now the adolescent population. Bariatric surgery in the young proved to be more effective over time than other less-invasive approaches. With the increasing number of morbidly obese children and adolescents with the relative ineffectiveness of medical therapy in these age groups, bariatric surgery consistently provides a solution for significant weight loss and the resolution of comorbidities. Several studies in the past 3 years have demonstrated the overall effectiveness of adjustable gastric banding, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy for weight loss and co-morbidity improvement in adolescents. Clinicians should ensure that an adolescent continues to adhere to the necessary dietary changes, supplemental medications, and life-long monitoring. Growing fund of knowledge in regard to the efficacy and complication rates of bariatric surgery will ultimately result in its more widespread acceptance. It appears that bariatric surgery for adolescents has caught on, whether “right” or “wrong.” But the current strict requirements for having a bariatric procedure should not be relaxed until we know more.