Teenagers Obesity: Is Weight Loss Surgery Right For Teenagers?

Submitted by 5dm1n on Fri, 12/23/2011 - 01:29

According to current statistics, about 15 to 20% of children and 25% of teenagers are affected with obesity and at risk of developing health problems. Obese children and teenagers have significant probability of growing into obese adults, and this excess fat is responsible for myriad diseases that might even jeopardize their lives. This modern age of video games, long hours of computer browsing, junk food, and indoor activities are the main reasons of obesity in teens, and this issue will only be solved by taking multi-dimensional approach.

Physical, Psychological, and Health Problems Associated With Obese Teens

Obesity in teenagers is usually associated with remarkable physical and psychological challenges. As already said, accumulated excess fat has also found to enhance the risk of serious health problems among obese teens. Mostly, all obese teenagers have at least one obesity-related health problems. Some of the diseases include fatty liver disease, type 2 diabetes, breathing problems, Hypertension, sleep apnea, acute fractures, spinal complications and metabolic syndrome.

Apart from suffering from physical health problems, obese teenagers are also more likely to suffer from psychological and social challenges. Obese teens are more prone to anxiety disorder and depression as compared to other non-obese teens. Furthermore, obese teenagers are more bullied than other average weight teens usually due to their low-confidence and disfigured body. They also feel dissatisfied due to their dating status and acquire a very spiritless and low self-esteem.

How To Deal With Obesity in Teenagers

It is important for the parents to realize that obesity is a disease, which can have serious and long-term consequences on the health and future of the affected teen. Normal obesity can be solved by exercising, eating healthy and by adopting a physically active life-style. However, for most people, strict diet, medicines prescribed by physicians, and exercise regime is not enough to combat obesity. For such individuals, Bariatric surgery may be a right option.

Bariatric Surgery: Does It Work?

With the rise in obesity, Bariatric surgery seems to be the only hope of many obese adolescents. It has been found that Bariatric surgery is one of the treatment methods that result in maximum weight loss. Also, if the patient follows proper post-operative methods and guidelines, the weight loss caused due to Bariatric surgery is almost permanent.

Health Benefits Of Weight Loss Surgery

Obesity is not itself a single problem to deal with since it comes along with number of diseases. It has been found that numerous health conditions associated with excess fat usually gets controlled after a patient has undergone a weight loss surgery.

There are many cases where patients have experienced drastic improvement in their quality of life just after few weeks of Bariatric surgery. Heart diseases, high blood pressure, sleep apnea and Type 2 diabetes are few to mention. Weight loss surgery also relieves urinary problems, low back pain, heartburn and arthritis.

Are There Any Health Risks?

As with any surgery, obesity surgery also has its own risks. Many people experience acid reflux, nausea, vomiting and pain after overeating or eating in a wrong way. It is crucial for the person who've had obesity surgery to eat healthy, and in small portions through out the day. If they tend to overeat, they may end up in gaining excess weight.

Some people with gastric bypass surgery may encounter another problem, usually known as “Dumping Syndrome”. This happens when food moves rapidly through the stomach and intestine, and thus causes discomforts such as diarrhea, nausea, abdominal cramping and weakness. Fortunately, the risks that may occur after Bariatric surgery can be altogether avoided by following proper post-operative care and eating habits recommended to the patient.

Nowadays, more and more teenagers are turning to Bariatric surgery for shedding the extra fat. But, it is also important to remember that Bariatric surgery is no instant cure since there's a lot of commitment and perseverance required by the patient. But for teenagers who are ready to accept a healthy life with few adjustments, weight loss surgery is the only answer for all their miseries.