Weight Loss Surgery for Teens is Latest Trend
By Dr. Ron McCluskey
Weight Loss Surgery for Teens is Latest Trend
by Dr. Ron McCluskey
Weight loss surgery is the latest trend in helping
teens who have major problems with obesity. The ethics and practice of this
surgery are still in debate.
Researchers have found that most teens are
only successful in losing about 22 pounds even with medication. A growing number
of teens are much more obese than that.
The problems associated with this amount of
obesity in teens include diabetes, heart disease and sleep apnea. The quality of
life for these teens has been found to be about the same as those kids suffering
from cancer.
Obviously, the social life of these kids is also
much affected by being overweight in a society that looks on beauty as something
so much to be desired.
Lap band surgery for teens has become the
treatment of choice in those whom medication will not product the required
weight loss. Weight loss surgery is also called bariatric surgery. This type of
weight loss surgery can normally be done with a laparoscope. This involves three
- sometimes four - small incisions in the abdomen. A band is then placed around
the top part of the stomach making a small pouch.
When the teen eats, he will only be able to eat a
small amount before feeling full. It will be much easier to control the appetite
in that way.
This type of surgery is very safe. And the weight
comes off. In fact, the usual weight loss is about sixty five pounds.
The cost of this surgery is about $30,000, but
more and more insurance companies are covering the procedure. Not only is it
helpful for those suffering from obesity as a teen, but it actually saves the
insurance company money in the long run.
At present, this surgery is still the treatment
of last resort. The first step would be dieting. This might be accompanied by a
support group, counseling or even a dieting camp. The second step would be
medication. The final result would be weight loss surgery for the teens.
This treatment is not only becoming a common
weight loss surgery for teens in the United States, but has recently become more
common in countries such as Australia.
According to Monash University's Centre for
Obesity Research and Education 7 percent of Australian youths are obese and 20
percent are overweight.
One University student, Bevan Roberts weighed 120
Kg (about 264 lbs) before surgery. After lap band surgery, she has lost 23 Kg
(about 50 lbs). While on her way to losing more, she says that her mental status
has improved tremendously.
CORE operated on 81 obese people under the age of
24 last year, up from 34 in 2001. They are recruiting more for this year.
Laparoscopic band surgery for teens has become
increasingly the surgical treatment of choice. However, many surgeons are still
recommending gastric bypass surgery instead.
In this treatment, the small pouch at the top of
the stomach is accompanied by an alteration in the connection of the small bowel
to the top of the stomach instead of the bottom of the stomach. In this way, the
food bypasses the bottom of the stomach.
This type of surgery, while more invasive has a
longer track record. Therefore, the risks and benefits are much more familiar.
Dr. Ron is an Emergency Room physician with over twenty years experience in the health care field. He often treats people for problems with their weight. Come to
Eight Steps to Health now for more great resources.
About the Author
Dr. Ron is an Emergency Room physician with over twenty years experience in the health care field. He often treats people for problems with their weight. Come to
Eight Steps to Health now for more great resources.
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