31618 Bariatric Surgery Part 2

Course overview

Discussion of the various procedures for surgically induced weight loss, advantages for adolescents undergoing bariatric surgery, and outcomes related to bariatric surgery for individuals with a body mass index of 50 or higher. Obesity is a serious health concern in the United States, with approximately 36 percent of adults and 17 percent of youth being classified as obese. Obesity is associated with increased health care costs, as well as multiple co-morbidities, such as diabetes, heart disease, and some cancers. Obese individuals who have been unsuccessful at losing weight by methods such as lifestyle modifications and medication may be candidates for bariatric weight loss surgery. In recent years, evidence suggests that carefully selected very obese adolescents also benefit from bariatric surgery, causing weight loss and subsequent reduced risk of the co-morbidities associated with obesity. Bariatric surgery does not come without the risk of complications, and in order for individuals to have a successful outcome related to bariatric surgery, lifestyle modifications must be made as well. This program discusses surgical weight loss options, considerations for adolescents undergoing bariatric surgery, and outcomes related to bariatric surgery for individuals classified as super obese.