Nearly 21 percent of U.S. adolescents between the ages of 12 and 19 suffer from obesity. For these teens, losing excess weight is not as easy as limiting the amount of food they consume. (In fact, a 2012 study conducted in Sweden showed that after three years of trying to make healthier lifestyle choices, only 2 percent of the teen study participants achieved a meaningful drop in their body mass index, a way to categorize body weight in relation to height.)Teenagers suffering from obesity may need help learning how to adopt healthy lifestyle habits including following a nutritious, well-balanced diet and getting enough exercise.
Aside from the emotional toll that suffering from obesity can have on teenagers, there are often also negative health consequences. Obesity is often linked to certain health conditions including sleep apnea, asthma, type-2 diabetes, high blood pressure and others.
For teens suffering from obesity, especially for those who are extremely obese and / or who suffer from obesity-related co-morbid health conditions, undergoing bariatric surgery in Las Vegas with Dr. Thomas Umbach of Blossom Bariatrics may be an effective tool in helping them lose their excess weight.
When Bariatric Surgery Is Recommended for Teens
Bariatric surgery is a major surgery and a serious undertaking. Also, it is not a “cure-all” for obesity. Weight loss surgery is a tool to help patients lose weight, but the patients must also be dedicated to adopting healthier eating habits and making healthy lifestyle choices overall, for the rest of their lives.
Nonetheless, for certain individuals, bariatric surgery can literally help save their lives. In general, weight loss surgery should be considered for teens who have a body mass index (BMI) of 35 or more and severe co-morbid health conditions. Teens who have a BMI of 40 or more may also be suitable candidates for weight loss surgery, even if they do not have severe co-morbid health problems.
To schedule a consultation with Dr. Umbach or to learn more about bariatric surgery for teens, please contact Blossom Bariatrics by calling (702) 463-3300 or by clicking here.
