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.
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