Practice Guidelines for Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding for Severely Obese Adolescents

Abstract

Adolescent obesity continues to present one of the most difficult challenges for health care providers. Obesity-related comorbidities previously almost unknown to adolescents have become commonplace. The financial impact of obesity is staggering and the psychological effects devastating. As with morbidly obese adults, traditional weight loss methods of dietary, exercise, and behavioral modification have rendered poor results in the severely obese adolescent. The optimal treatment and management of adolescent obesity remains unknown, but surgical weight loss methods, including the laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB), may be a viable option for those teens who meet criteria for the procedure. Adolescents choosing the surgical route should be under the care of a multi-disciplinary surgical weight loss team with expertise in the evaluation and management of adolescent obesity and the capability of meeting the distinct physical and psychological needs of this age group. The LAGB is a tool to aid in weight loss but it is no quick fix, or magic bullet. For a successful outcome, a lifelong commitment to a changed lifestyle is essential. The author outlines practice guidelines for adolescents undergoing LABG at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center Surgical Weight Management Program. © 2011, SAGE Publications. All rights reserved.