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In Search of Skinny
Teens and Gastric Bypass Surgery
By Lisa A. Goldstein
While there are no long-term studies, Dr. Owens says there is a fairly large number of adult patients 20 years post-surgery who do not seem to be having any particular problems. The surgery's dangers are not to be minimized, however. The risks range from electrolyte imbalances to heart failure, liver problems, premature osteoporosis and chronic diarrhea. Compare that to the impaired self-esteem, depression and health risks that come with being extremely obese.
"Surgery for weight loss in severely obese teenagers is clearly preferable to no or inadequate weight loss," says Dr. Owens. "In addition to the dangerous medical effects of obesity, obese teenagers are stigmatized by their peers more severely than adults and suffer long-term psychological effects. Hence, the longer term potential for undesirable side effects from surgery must be weighed against the emotional damages a teenager sustains from being severely obese."
And for females, losing the weight now can positively impact a teen's life later. According to Dr. Owens, losing the weight improves fertility and decreases the likelihood of probems with labor and delivery.
