Weight loss surgery (also known as bariatric surgery) is a procedure done to help people who are very overweight and can't lose weight on normal diet and exercise plans.
Weight loss surgery works, but it's serious stuff. Doctors usually only recommend it for people who are very overweight. These are people who have more than 100 pounds of extra weight to lose and who face serious health problems if they don't lose weight.
People who get weight loss surgery have to prepare for the operation. But there's a lot to do after surgery too. Patients have to cope with the recovery time and learn to adjust to a whole new way of eating and living. That can be hard. Not everyone is ready for it.
Figuring out if a teen is ready for weight loss surgery is a big decision. It involves a lot of people: patients, families, doctors, dietitians, exercise specialists, and psychologists.
Teens can be considered for weight loss surgery if:
Weight and age are only part of it, though. Before someone can get surgery, doctors look at other things, including:
Anyone thinking about weight loss surgery should have several meetings with doctors and psychologists to decide if an operation is the best choice. Sometimes, doctors don't think a person is ready. Other times, patients and their families decide that it's not the right option.
After hearing the facts about weight loss surgery, some people choose to try traditional weight loss options one more time — like eating better and getting more exercise.
Weight loss surgery is not for everyone. But the effort may be worth it for people who are very overweight and have serious health problems because of their weight. If you're worried about your weight or think weight loss surgery might help, talk to your doctor.
Reviewed by: Kirk W. Reichard, MD
Date Reviewed: 30-11-2019