New Surgical Hope for Obese Teens

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"Currently, a morbidly obese teenager who suffers from diabetes only has one surgical option for weight loss, which is gastric bypass," he said. "This study shows there is potential for another option, which is a much safer option and, at least in our hands, is an equally affective option as the gastric bypass."

Dr. Nadler said patients with the band are less likely to regain weight because the band is adjustable. If a patient gains weight, a doctor can tighten the band and decrease the size of the stomach.

Further research is needed to determine the long-term safety and efficacy of gastric band surgery.

"The FDA has not currently approved the band for patients under the age of 18, and this is the first study to suggest the band is effective in that age group," Dr. Nadler said. "Hopefully others will have similar experience and there will be more data available for the FDA so eventually it will be approved so we can offer this ... life-altering operation to a group of adolescents who otherwise have no real solution to their problem."

This article was reported by Ivanhoe.com, which offers Medical Alerts by e-mail every day of the week. To subscribe, click on: http://www.ivanhoe.com/newsalert/.

SOURCE: Ivanhoe interview with Evan P. Nadler, M.D., New York University School of Medicine; Journal of Pediatric Surgery, 2007;42:137-142