The number of obese teenagers has skyrocketed in the past couple of decades. In fact, recent studies have found that nearly 30 percent of people between the ages of 13 and 19 are over their ideal body weight. Obesity greatly puts a person at risk for developing high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes. While many obese teens are able to lose weight by following a strict diet and exercise program, some teens end up becoming obese adults because they do not see any results with diet or exercise. That is why many doctors are electing to perform weight loss surgery on obese teens.
One of the most popular types of weight loss surgery is the lap band procedure. This procedure involves inserting a band that reduces the amount of food that the stomach can hold. Even though this surgery carries risks, doctors consider it a safe treatment for teenagers. It is also important to note that being obese carries risks all by itself.
There was a study done by the New York University School of Medicine to test the effectiveness of this surgery. The study involved 153 participants who were between the ages of 13 and 17. All subjects were over 300 pounds and had an average body mass index of 47. Doctors followed up on the subjects 18 months after they had lap band surgery. The results were that almost all of the participants lost half of their body weight. None of the subjects had any serious complications. Only five had minor complications, which were treated without hospitalization. The results of this study prove that lap band surgery is not only effective, but it is also safe for teenagers.
Even though the lap band procedure can deliver immediate effects, some questions have been raised about the long-term effectiveness of it. There have been no studies done to confirm that teens who get this surgery were able to maintain their weight loss for more than five years. However, this is the same case as most people opting for weight loss surgery: long-term weight loss will depend on whether an individual commits to a healthy lifestyle. Eating an unhealthy diet and being sedentary can cause a person to re-gain the weight.
