Gastric band surgery and gastric bypass surgery have been used to help teens lose weight. Both surgeries are becoming more popular. The teens that were part of the information reported are having a surgery that has not been approved for those under the age of 18.
Statistics show that approximately 7 times as many teens had the gastric band surgery in a two year period studied as they did previously. This gastric band surgery is used to lessen the area of the stomach that can hold food. Not all physicians in Charlotte support gastric band or gastric bypass surgery for teens. To compare the two surgeries use this link.
The gastric band or gastric bypass surgery is not done without preoperative procedures. People having the surgery will speak with a psychologist and have health tests done before hand. Support groups are available in the Charlotte area for those trying to lose weight and for those who have had gastric band surgery or gastric bypass surgery.
Gastric bypass and gastric band surgery are used for those considered morbidly obese. Other weight loss attempts are usually exhausted before the gastric band surgery is used in teens or adults. Some feel the gastric band surgery is safer for younger patients.
In many instances insurance will not pay for gastric band or bypass surgery for teens. Patients may have to pay as much as $17,000 for gastric band surgery. For information about doctors in the Charlotte area offering gastric surgery for weight loss please use the doctors link below this article.
As gastric surgeries are becoming more popular with young, morbidly obese patients, there is a concern about the outcome. The statistics show gastric banding does not work for all patients.
Also of concern, gastric banding has the same risks as any surgery. The possibility of infection, medical error or serious complications should always be explored.
Studies do not show if gastric banding of gastric bypass surgery will give results that will last in teens. The procedure is thought by some to be too new to the teen population to give factual statistics.
Comments
It is tragic to think teens would need gastric bypass surgery or gastric bands. Much more study needs to be given the obesity problem, especially in such young people.
It is tragic that so many teens are in the obesity range and require some type of medical procedure to help them. More needs to be done to help these children before they get worse but also more research should be done to guaranty their health, safety and well being.
Well done with great info.
Oh my, I can't get over the word "teens."
Ditto Beverly & Carol! Though provoking piece Pat, thanks!
Bariatric surgery in children is currently recommended especially for those who either have a BMI of 35 or more, and is an important health problem in obesity of children and a BMI of 40, who already show signs of health problems linked to obesity , Inge said.
fightobesity.net
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