Is Weight-Loss Surgery Safe for Teens?

When it comes to obesity, surgery is considered a last-resort solution––especially for children. After all, a child’s body and mind are constantly growing, which may make surgery seem unnecessarily intrusive. But when do the benefits make it worthwhile? Expert George Fielding, MD, NYU Langone Weight Management Program in New York City, weighs in.


While surgery is nothing to be taken lightly, if your child is at least 14 years old, seriously obese, and has unsuccessfully tried several diet and exercise programs, then it’s worth considering. For teens who are morbidly obese (with a body mass index of at least 40) and have adult health problems like diabetes and heart disease, weight-loss surgery can literally save their lives.

At our center, potential patients see a nutritionist and are assessed by a child psychologist before we move forward. There are a few surgical weight-loss options, but I think the Lap-Band (gastric band) is the safest. It involves making a small incision and placing a band around the stomach to create a smaller pouch for food. The band stays in but can be adjusted.

The results are impressive: In the first year after surgery, most people lose about 80 pounds. Of course, there are risks. There’s a 1 in 2,000 risk of dying during gastric band surgery (similar to the risk of having your gall bladder out), and there’s a slight chance of injuring the esophagus.

If you do decide to go this route, choose a surgeon who has had experience operating on teens.