The Growing Trend Of Obesity Surgery For Teens

It is becoming something of a trend, according to the findings of a study published in the Pediatrics journal – teens undergoing bariatric surgery for weight loss such as the commonly preferred laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding, or LAGB.

The study found that there was a 5 times increase in the number of teens (individuals between ages 13 and 20) who underwent this procedure.

The trend of teens opting for weight loss surgery is a questionable one; with the question often being raised whether teens should be permitted to undergo weight loss surgery, in spite of the risks associated with it.

It has been seen that surgery is more effective as a means for losing weight when compared with exercise and a controlled diet. However, the question remains whether it is worth the risks.

After all these individuals will be required to keep the gastric band in place for 60 years (or the rest of their life, whichever is longer), and we still have no idea how that would pan out.

Teens need to be made aware of all their options and also need to be told of the probability of needing a repeat operation in the future.

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