Gastric Bypass Surgery News Links

Cincinnati, OH

It's arguably one of the most controversial weight loss options currently available -- gastric bypass surgery.

When it works, patients often lose hundreds of pounds that they would be hard pressed to get rid of in other ways.

When it doesn't work, it can lead to serious illness or death.
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Cincinnati Children's Hospital is one of five running a 10-year study of the procedure and its effectiveness on a segment of the population that often feels the brunt of weight shame -- teenagers.

"No one likes to see teenagers get to this point of this level of obesity that they can't go to school, they don't have friends," Dr. Meg Zeller said. "Their medical health resembles an adult's medical health, but the surgery and the weight loss that follows can alter that trajectory."

"We are seeing kids with average weight of nearly 400 pounds. The range is 250 to 650," Dr. Thomas Inge said.

Kylie Crovo said she can tell you about the benefits. She came to Children's Hospital at age 15 weighing 255 pounds. Now 17, she's lost 110 pounds in 18 months.

"It just feels great to live life not having to worry about any potential medical problems," she said.

Inge said he knows the procedure has its critics, especially when it involves teenagers.

"I think the average person who is hearing about weight loss surgery for teenagers and thinks, 'Oh my gosh, what are (they) thinking?' are not able to put themselves in the shoes of the people we are seeing," he said.

Amanda Munson has lost 100 pounds so far.

"The study means to me, basically I'm helping everyone else. We can give more information to other people," she said.

Doctors said they will follow all the patients over the next 10 years to study the long-term effects of the procedure.