Is your child's weight increasing and becoming a big problem for his health? Sometimes, exercising and controlling his diet alone may not be enough. Especially when it comes to severe obesity , it increases the risk of the child suffering from many serious diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure . In such cases, doctors consider weight loss surgery . Although the name may sound scary, it is very important for us to be fully aware of this.
What exactly is this so-called weight loss surgery (Bariatric Surgery)?
Simply put, this is a surgical procedure that helps teens and young adults manage health problems caused by obesity and achieve a healthy weight. It does not remove fat from the body. Instead, it changes the way the body absorbs calories and energy from the food the child eats.
Imagine, this mainly reduces the size of the stomach. Then, a small amount of food is eaten, and the feeling of fullness is felt. In some types of surgery, the food route is also slightly changed. Due to this, not all the calories in the food are absorbed by the body. This is not something that is done for cosmetic purposes at all. Doctors only recommend something like this if the child's weight is causing health problems to the point of threatening his life.
How should you prepare before surgery?
This is not something that can be done all at once. Since this is a big decision, the child is prepared for it for months before the surgery. The doctor will examine you thoroughly and perform a series of tests to determine if the child is suitable for this surgery.
The most important thing is that this is a team effort. This journey requires the support of everyone: the surgeon, the pediatrician, the nutritionist, the psychologist, and the physical therapist.
Here are some of the main tests that need to be done before surgery:
| Test type | Simply what are you looking at? |
|---|---|
| Blood Tests |
|
| Other tests |
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| Consultations | A counselor should be consulted to prepare the child for this big change mentally and emotionally. They should also meet with a nutritionist and exercise specialist to develop a post-surgery lifestyle plan. |
What actually happens during surgery?
There are two main types of surgery recommended for young children. Both are performed under general anesthesia, which means the child will not feel any pain.
| Type of surgery | What happens is simple. |
|---|---|
| Gastric Sleeve Surgery / Sleeve Gastrectomy | In this procedure, the surgeon removes a significant portion of the stomach and creates a sleeve, similar to a banana. The new stomach is much smaller, which limits the amount of food you can eat. It also reduces the production of hormones that stimulate hunger. |
| Gastric Bypass Surgery (Gastric Bypass / Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass) | In this procedure, the stomach is divided into two parts and a small pouch is created on top. The pouch is then connected directly to the small intestine. This bypasses a large part of the stomach and the first part of the small intestine. This limits the amount of food you eat and reduces the amount of calories and nutrients your body absorbs. |
These surgeries usually take a few hours, and the child is then monitored in an intensive care unit until they wake up from anesthesia.
How successful is this? Is it not risky?
Success
This surgery can be very successful. But it is not magic. The surgery is just a tool to help you. To achieve long-term success, you must definitely stick to a healthy diet and exercise routine . Studies have shown that about 60% of young people who have this surgery lose 20% or more of their body weight and maintain that weight for at least 5 years.
Risks
Like any surgery, this one has some risks.
- Infection.
- Bleeding.
- Blood clots.
- Allergy to anesthesia.
In addition, there may be some complications specific to this surgery, as the body takes some time to adjust to this new eating pattern.
- Dehydration: You need to be very careful about the amount of water you drink.
- Nutritional deficiencies: Due to the body's inability to absorb nutrients, you may need to take vitamin and mineral supplements throughout your life. Your doctor will advise you on this.
- Nausea and vomiting: This condition can occur if you eat a large amount of food at once.
- Heartburn.
- Low bone density.
- Low blood sugar level (Low blood glucose).
If you have any questions about any of this, you should talk to your doctor immediately.
How long does it take to heal?
You will need to stay in the hospital for one or two days after the surgery. You will start with liquid foods first. Then gradually move on to pureed foods, and only then to regular solid foods. This process can take about 6 weeks.
You can usually go back to school in about two weeks. However, you will not be allowed to do things like sports or lifting weights for about a month. You will have to limit physical activity until you are completely healed. You will also be advised to avoid pregnancy for at least 18 months after this surgery.
This journey is long. It is important to continue to see your doctor, a nutritionist, and a counselor for advice. After you have lost a lot of weight, you may want to consider additional surgery to remove excess skin.
Take-Home Message
- Weight loss surgery in young children is a major medical decision that is only considered for children who have serious health problems due to severe obesity .
- This is not cosmetic surgery, but is performed with the aim of improving the child's overall health.
- Surgery is just one tool on the road to success. A healthy diet and exercise are essential for long-term success.
- This process definitely requires the support of a team consisting of surgeons, pediatricians, nutritionists, and psychologists.
- It is very important to follow your doctor's instructions and have regular follow-ups, even after surgery. If you experience any problems, inform your doctor immediately.
Surgery, weight loss, obesity, young children, bariatric surgery, gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, youth health
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