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Weight loss surgery for kids
Categories: Kids 8-11, Teens & tweens, Health & Safety, Eating & Nutrition, Medical Conditions, In The News, Mealtime
Considering all we've heard about the childhood obesity epidemic, it really should come as no surprise that parents are turning to surgical procedures to help their kids lose weight. According to a 2007 study, nearly 800 U.S. kids had weight-loss surgery in 2003. Those surgeries range from gastric bypass operations to stomach banding.
While weight loss surgery for kids may not be surprising, it is rather alarming. Research has shown that one in every 200 patients dies from gastric bypass and one in every 1,000 patients dies from banding. Why would a parent subject a child to the risks associated with major surgery when perhaps all that is really needed is a better diet and more exercise?
I am sure parents who do this reach their decisions after much thought and consideration, but Dante Fishell's answer to the question is telling. Her 13-year-old son Joey weighed nearly 300 pounds when he had a stomach band implanted this summer. "I'm choosing to have this done to help save his life," she said. "This surgery is almost like the magic answer." Coincidentally, Fishell herself had her own stomach band implanted on the same day as her son.
Not only are weight-loss surgeries risky, they don't always work. Patients must stick to strict eating regimes for the rest of their lives in order to maintain the weight loss. According to one study, adults who underwent weight loss surgeries regained about 30 percent of their weight within 10 years. Would children fare any better? And wouldn't a strict eating regime do the trick without surgery anyway?
To skeptics like me, one mother has something to say. "It's real easy for people to pass judgment when they haven't walked in our shoes, when they haven't seen their child so upset and trying so hard not to eat," says mom Melanie Gorman, whose daughter underwent stomach banding. "If I would have thought there was any danger to (Shelby), I wouldn't have done it."
She's right, of course. I don't know what it is like to see my child suffer because of her weight. But as much as I sympathize with these children and their parents, I have a hard time seeing surgery as the answer. In addition to the risks, weight-loss surgery doesn't address the issues that resulted in the obesity in the first place. Wouldn't a child be better served by focusing on that rather than a quick fix? Do you think weight-loss surgery is ever a good idea for a child?
While weight loss surgery for kids may not be surprising, it is rather alarming. Research has shown that one in every 200 patients dies from gastric bypass and one in every 1,000 patients dies from banding. Why would a parent subject a child to the risks associated with major surgery when perhaps all that is really needed is a better diet and more exercise?
I am sure parents who do this reach their decisions after much thought and consideration, but Dante Fishell's answer to the question is telling. Her 13-year-old son Joey weighed nearly 300 pounds when he had a stomach band implanted this summer. "I'm choosing to have this done to help save his life," she said. "This surgery is almost like the magic answer." Coincidentally, Fishell herself had her own stomach band implanted on the same day as her son.
Not only are weight-loss surgeries risky, they don't always work. Patients must stick to strict eating regimes for the rest of their lives in order to maintain the weight loss. According to one study, adults who underwent weight loss surgeries regained about 30 percent of their weight within 10 years. Would children fare any better? And wouldn't a strict eating regime do the trick without surgery anyway?
To skeptics like me, one mother has something to say. "It's real easy for people to pass judgment when they haven't walked in our shoes, when they haven't seen their child so upset and trying so hard not to eat," says mom Melanie Gorman, whose daughter underwent stomach banding. "If I would have thought there was any danger to (Shelby), I wouldn't have done it."
She's right, of course. I don't know what it is like to see my child suffer because of her weight. But as much as I sympathize with these children and their parents, I have a hard time seeing surgery as the answer. In addition to the risks, weight-loss surgery doesn't address the issues that resulted in the obesity in the first place. Wouldn't a child be better served by focusing on that rather than a quick fix? Do you think weight-loss surgery is ever a good idea for a child?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
ame s 9-29-2008 @ 5:25PM
When a child hits 300 pounds, it could take several years of a more healthy diet with hours of daily exercise to bring their weight anywhere close to a healthy BMI. It would scare me to death to put one of my daughters through a surgery for weight-loss assistance, but I understand why some parents would go this route for their child.
I was only (ha, only) 30 pounds or so over weight when I was 10 and 11. It did damage my self esteem, and eating my favorite foods did make me feel better. I remember a time when I was 11, and filled my plate for a 3rd time with chicken, mac and cheese, salad, and biscuits. My mom looked shocked and hesitantly told me I didn't need to eat any more.
For me, a week-long bout of flu that killed my appetite enough that I lost 10 pounds in that week, followed by a massive growth spurt of 5 inches in a year without any weight gain brought me down to a "normal" BMI. As this happened, my self-esteem grew.
I know some people are just appalled that any parent would even consider this type of surgery, but as a former Fat Kid, I sympathize and understand how hard this decision must be for them. It hurts to see our children suffer in any way, physically and/or mentally.
Reply
jd 10-11-2008 @ 8:11PM
I see where the person above me is coming from but, if you was only 30 pounds over not a hundred or 2 hundred pounds over you don't know what it feels like. Not trying to disrespect any one. But I am just 14 and I am 298 pounds. I want to loose weight so bad but every time I loose I gain right back. I wish I could keep it off. Of course I play football and wrestled over the last 2 years but being this way is very hurtful at times. Going in your closet and trying on something you could wear a couples months ago but now can't even pull them over your upper legs. Sometimes I go to school feeling bad. I even cry sometimes. But the worst part is when you buy a brand new pair of pants. But when you get ready to wear them they can't fit. I need help bad. I have a good self - esteem. I try so much stuff pills , sweat suits, working out a lot but nothing works. If I could i would really would try the band cause I need help!
ninainindia 9-29-2008 @ 9:49PM
These people are denying why their child is fat. After they have slimmed down they will gain the weight again in no time because they did not get to the root of the problem. When are people going to understand that there are somethings you have to put effort in to get a result.
Reply
Rachel 9-30-2008 @ 12:19AM
I understand why someone would do this if the child is morbidly obese, but I'm afraid it will get to be an easy fix instead of just helping your child learn to eat better.
Reply