Metabolic and bariatric surgery as a treatment for adolescent severe obesity

Bariatric surgery is an invasive but highly effective treatment for pediatric severe obesity. Currently, bariatric surgery is only considered when other treatment options have failed, and potential patients have reached physical maturity and are cognitively capable of understanding the consequence and risk associated with the procedure. Short-term (6 months to 1 year) significant weight loss and resolution of many comorbid conditions, which often accompany severe obesity, are attained in a high proportion of patients. Long-term (3-8years) weight loss maintenance and absence of comorbidities remain high. Despite its success, bariatric surgery does have side effects and is a greater-than-minimal risks procedure, and the long-term (beyond 10years) complications of surgery are currently unknown. However, for the highest risk patients, especially those with type 2 diabetes, bariatric surgery offers potentially lifesaving outcomes, which cannot be achieved by any other current treatment.