title: Bariatric surgery for the severely obese adolescent.
abstract: In recent years, a growing number of severely obese adolescents and their families have sought out surgical treatment because behavioral or medical therapies were not successful. A number of reports have suggested that bariatric surgery for this patient group is safe and can provide durable weight loss. However, most of these reports have been retrospective studies with short-term outcomes, and more long-term, prospective studies are needed to optimize care for these patients. Evaluation of the severely obese patient for surgery involves multiple factors, including the overall maturity of the patient; joint discussions with the patient and his or her family; a complete medical evaluation; evaluation by a child psychologist or psychiatrist; and a minimum of 6 months of private, interdisciplinary, multifaceted lifestyle preparation. Surgical options are restricted to severely overweight adolescents without endocrine disorders who have achieved puberty and have failed more conservative therapies. The Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is the most commonly performed procedure in adolescents, but the laparoscopic adjustable gastric band procedure is growing in popularity. Postoperatively, patients are evaluated 2 weeks after surgery and then every 1 to 2 months for the first postoperative year; every 2 months to 6 months in the second year, depending on the individual case; and then annually for life. A careful diet plan backed by continuing family support is essential. Short- and long-term complications are similar to those seen in adults, and include bowel obstruction, bleeding, blood clots, nausea, gallstones, hernia, and vitamin and iron deficiencies.
authors.affiliation: UPMC Weight Management Center and Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA. fernstrommh@upmc.edu
authors.forename: Madelyn H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Fernstrom
authors.forename: Anita P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Courcoulas
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D050110:Bariatric Surgery; D006801:Humans; D009765:Obesity / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000601:surgery*; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000379:methods*; D013997:Time Factors; D014481:United States; D015431:Weight Loss