Obesity In Teens Pros And Cons Of Weight Loss Surgery

Dr.Sanjay Gupta, chief medical correspondence for CNN, raised concerns on obese teens. The information gleaned from his talk with CNN anchor Paula Zahn, kids are developing adult only problems such as type II diabetes, kidney problems, blindness, sleep apnea, social discrimination and heart problems due to obesity. It is high time obese teens and their parents must focus on weight loss programs and procedures.

Defining Teen Obesity:

According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC) teen obesity is defined according to the corresponding BMI (Body Mass Index) for age percentile.(aged between 2-19 years). If BMI is at or above 85 percentile and lower than 95 percentile, teens are considered as overweight. If BMI is at or above 95 percentile, those children are considered as obese teens.

What can a Parent Do to Prevent Obesity in Teenager:

To avoid obesity in teenagers, parents should take responsibility in developing a balanced lifestyle for them. They can follow few tips as given below.

- Get a plan to follow a balanced, healthy diet including fruits, vegetables, and whole grain products. This can be achieved by inducing interest by making appetizing dishes using these products and engrossing kids in preparing their meal.

- Discourage them to take fast foods like potato fries, pizza, chips, burgers and caffeinated drinks. Even diet drinks have enough caffeine to spoil kids health.

- Preserve them as active possible. This can be achieved by encouraging them to play in parks, limiting their sedentary time and involving them in out door activities.

Using Lap Band to Reduce Weight in Teens:

Gastric banding or lap band is a procedure recommended by physicians around the world. FDA approved adjustable gastric band is used in this procedure to tighten the upper part of the stomach. This procedure will reduce the food intake in kids and allow them only to hold an ounce. In turn, kids loss appetite, eat less and gradually lose weight.

Weight Loss Surgery for Treating Teens with Obesity:

Most of the times, doctors advice weight loss surgery for kids if they suffer from life threatening diseases due to obesity and other weight loss options manifest no improvement.

As a first step, BMI need to be clear to find out whether they really need a surgical procedure to lose weight.

Once the BMI is calculated, if the surgeon confirms surgery is the sole option for that particular kid, next step is to analyze whether the teenager is psychologically fit for a surgery.

Weight Loss Surgery in Teens – Eligibility Criteria:

Primarily the following aspects confirm whether the kid is eligible for weight loss surgery or not.

1. Other weight loss programs undertaken are not providing the necessary improvement in obesity and related health conditions for a kid
2. Teenager is having health problems due to obesity with BMI of 40 or more. This is almost equivalent to 100 pounds in men and 80 pounds in women.
3. Teen is fit physically as well psychologically to handle and follow post surgery instructions and procedures
4. Capable of concept the pros and cons of the surgery and other post surgical commitments they need to have their whole life time

Bariatric Surgery:

Bariatric surgery, known as gastric bypass surgery, is a commonly used surgical option to lose weight in teenagers. Both American College of Surgeons and National Institute of Health have favorite this procedure on teens.

There are two different methods currently in practice, one as traditional open method and the other method through laproscopy. Both methods are done under same surgical principals. Depending on the patient and the medical conditions, appropriate method is chosen by the specialists. Through this surgery, surgeons change the way stomach works in teens by modifying it and its connections.

Most of the times, compared to the open method, patients and parents prefer laproscopic method because of the smaller incisions used during surgery and quicker recovery phase post surgery. However, surgeon makes the final call on deciding the device along with the approval from the concerned.

Pros of Weight Loss Surgery in Teens:

There are key advantages teens can achieve from weight loss surgery.

1. According to the studies conducted in Cincinnati’s children hospital, it is confirmed that weight loss surgery improves the standard of life, morale and self confidence in teens
2. It is also confirmed that teenager’s severe health conditions such as type II diabetes, hypertension, Insomnia and dyslipidemia occurred due to obesity are controlled after the surgery.
3. Highly defined procedures and scientific proof backing the best weight loss result after the surgery makes it safer for teenagers to reduce their weight
4. Compared to other weight loss methods including gastric bands, surgical procedures are proven to provide better results

Cons of Weight Loss Surgery in Teens:

1. Though the rate is relatively low, death is the most serious risk associated with the surgical procedure for weight loss in teens
2. As in any other surgery, there is a possibility of side effects such as blood clots, bleeding, leakages can occur
3. Since the surgical procedure interacts with the digestive system, it can lead to anemia and immunity related problems due to digestive issues
4. As in any other surgery in the stomach, teens are vulnerable to hernia (protrusion of the intestines) in the outside of their stomach
5. Intestinal scarring may create blockages, known as intestinal strictures, which can make kids life tougher to eat and digest food
6. Few kids seem to be developing some social or psychological jam, since they are depending on others for managing their routine activities
7. Mechanical faults like stitches going separate can result in infections and other possible side effects

It is very well-known for the teens who undergo weight loss surgery to remember that the potential benefit could be achieved only by following suggestions positively post surgery. If not, there are chances to regain weight after going through all pains with the surgery. Parents, relatives and friends should take responsibility in taking care of these teenager’s mental health. If significant, they should seek professional help to acquire care of mental ups and downs in teens.

References:

http://calorielab.com/news/2009/01/07/dr-sanjay-gupta-surgeon-general-nominee/

http://www.pamf.org/teen/health/diseases/obesity.html

http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/childhood/defining.html

http://www.yourbariatricsurgeryguide.com/lap-banding/

http://www.everydayhealth.com/weight/weight-loss-surgery-possible-complications.aspx

Tags: adjustable gastric banding surgery, gastric banding depression, gastric banding side effects, laparoscopic gastric banding complications

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