Nowadays, many of our children are facing the problem of obesity, that is, being too big for their health. Sometimes this can be a condition that affects the child's entire life and poses a great threat to their health. So, when you try hard to control your weight with things like exercising and controlling your diet, a special solution that doctors suggest is this weight loss surgery. We call this 'Bariatric Surgery'. Since this is a big decision, let's talk about it clearly and simply.
Simply put, what is this surgery?
This is a surgical procedure that helps young children and adolescents achieve a healthy weight. It changes the way the child absorbs calories and energy from the food they eat. Simply put, it involves reducing the size of the stomach or making a small change in the way food passes through it.
This is not something that is done for everyone. Doctors only consider this if a child is at high risk of developing serious diseases like diabetes or high blood pressure due to their overweight. In Sri Lanka, this surgery is still rarely performed on young children, but this trend is gradually increasing in the world.
How do you prepare for this surgery?
This is not something you can do all at once. Your doctor will perform a full physical examination and order several tests before deciding if this surgery is right for you.
| Test type | What are you looking at? |
|---|---|
| Blood Tests |
|
| Sleep Study | Check for sleep apnea, a condition that causes snoring and suffocation during sleep. |
| Bone Density Test | Make sure the skeletal system is mature enough to withstand surgery. |
In addition to these tests, you will also need to meet with a counselor to help you mentally and emotionally prepare for this big change. You will also need to talk to a nutritionist and physical therapist to develop a diet and exercise plan that is best for you for long-term success after surgery.
Typically, you need to prepare for this surgery with the medical team for at least 6 months. This is a journey, not something that happens overnight.
What actually happens during surgery?
There are two main types of surgery recommended for young children. Both involve making your stomach smaller than it was before. These are done under general anesthesia.
| Surgery Type | What simply happens |
|---|---|
| Gastric Sleeve Surgery | The surgeon removes a significant portion of your stomach and creates a sleeve, similar to a banana, from the remaining portion. This greatly reduces the amount of space in your stomach. It also reduces the production of hormones that stimulate hunger. |
| Gastric Bypass Surgery | Here, the stomach is divided into two parts and a small pouch is created on top. Then, that small pouch is connected directly to the small intestine. This means that the food you eat bypasses a large part of the stomach and the first part of the small intestine. This significantly reduces the amount of calories and nutrients that the body absorbs. |
This surgery usually takes a few hours. After that, you will be taken to an observation unit and watched by the medical team until you fully recover from the anesthesia.
What happens after surgery?
You will need to stay in the hospital for one or two days. During this time, you will only be given liquids to drink. Then you will gradually be introduced to pureed foods. It may take about six weeks before you can start eating regular solid foods.
Recovery
Most children can return to school after about two weeks. However, physical activity will need to be limited for about a month. This means stopping things like playing sports, lifting weights, and going to exercise classes for a while.
What are the benefits and potential risks of this?
Benefits
By losing weight, you can prevent or control many serious diseases caused by obesity.
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure (Hypertension)
- High cholesterol (Hypercholesterolemia)
- Liver Disease
- Sleep apnea
- Depression and Social Anxiety
- Bone and joint pain
- Conditions in women such as Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS).
Possible risks
Like any surgery, there are risks. There are risks such as infection, bleeding, blood clots, and allergies to anesthesia. In addition, there may be discomfort as the body adjusts to the new procedure.
- Dehydration.
- Headaches that occur as you get used to the calorie reduction.
- Heartburn.
- Vomiting and nausea.
- Nutritional deficiencies - These require taking vitamins.
- Low blood sugar level (Low blood glucose).
- Low bone density.
It is very important to talk openly with your doctor about any of this.
Is this surgery 100% successful for everyone?
This is something that has been very successful for many people. Studies have shown that 60% of young men who have undergone the surgery have lost more than 20% of their body weight and have maintained that weight for 5 years or more.
But this is not magic. Surgery is just a tool to help you. Real success depends on your lifelong commitment to a healthy diet and exercise .
Following your surgery and staying in regular contact with your doctor, nutritionist, and counselor is essential for success.
Take-Home Message
- Bariatric surgery is a special surgery performed on young children who cannot control their weight through other methods and whose severe obesity poses serious health risks .
- This requires months of preparation and the support of a full medical team consisting of doctors, nutritionists, and consultants.
- Surgery is just the beginning of a journey. Long-term success depends on your commitment to a healthy lifestyle .
- Talk openly with your doctor about any questions, fears, or doubts you have about this. It is essential to get the most accurate information and guidance.
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