Bariatric surgery may be considered as an additional treatment option for older adolescents with severe obesity and significant weight-related medical conditions. Surgery and lifestyle changes have helped many of our patients lose weight while gaining confidence and a healthy future!
We're proud to be the region's only accredited adolescent bariatric surgery center, and one of only several in the Mid-Atlantic. This designation speaks to our commitment to providing the safest, highest quality of care to our patients and their families.
The terms "overweight" and "obese" refer to serious medical conditions in which excess body fat accumulates to the extent that it may have an adverse effect on health. Obesity is measured by body mass index (BMI), a calculation using height and weight. BMI does not measure body fat directly, but is an indicator of body fat for most adolescents.
Being overweight or obese can cause an increase in many health-related illnesses and contribute to a decrease in quality of life. Obesity puts adolescents at risk for:
At our Healthy Lifestyles Center, a team of dietitians, exercise specialists, psychologists, medical and surgical specialists, and nurses provide comprehensive lifestyle management for the treatment and prevention of obesity and weight-related medical conditions. Through specially-designed programs and services, team members work closely with adolescents and their families to promote healthy weight-management, eating, exercise and lifestyle habits with a focus on lifelong change.
Treatment options include:
Research shows that adolescent bariatric surgery, in conjunction with a healthy lifestyle, is an effective treatment for severe obesity. Surgery benefits can also include improvements in:
Surgery benefits can also include the reversal of weight-related illnesses including type 2 diabetes and cardiac abnormalities such as hypertension and high triglycerides.
All surgery candidates must meet established criteria; participate in six months of medically supervised lifestyle intervention; and complete a comprehensive psychological evaluation. Candidates must have a BMI ≥40 or ≥35 with severe comorbidities. It is also crucial that candidates for surgery be physically mature and understand the risks and benefits of surgery.
Surgery is not appropriate in the event of:
Download our recipe for success chart to learn more about bariatric surgery.
Emily was willing to work tirelessly to reach her health goals. Our team ultimately determined, with Emily, that bariatric surgery would be a tool to her success. With more energy and a new perspective on life, Emily is thriving after surgery and has developed healthy lifestyles that can last a lifetime.
Tamira couldn't be happier that she made the decision to add bariatric surgery as a tool to support behavior changes in her health journey. "I feel amazing...I get to do things I never thought would be possible."
