Researchers looked at 12 studies involving 522 teenagers who had a type of weight loss surgery called Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. The teens lost significant weight and saw improvements in health problems like diabetes and high blood pressure. However, the surgery came with a 29% chance of complications and required ongoing monitoring for vitamin deficiencies. While the results show promise for severely obese teens, the surgery requires careful consideration and long-term medical care.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How well weight loss surgery works for teenagers with severe obesity over several years
  • Who participated: 522 teenagers (mostly girls) around age 17-18 with severe obesity, followed for about 4 years on average
  • Key finding: Teens lost about 42 pounds and kept most of it off for 5 years, with major improvements in diabetes and other health problems
  • What it means for you: Weight loss surgery can be effective for severely obese teens, but it requires lifelong medical monitoring and comes with significant risks

The Research Details

This was a meta-analysis, which means researchers combined results from 12 different studies to get a bigger picture of how weight loss surgery affects teenagers. They only included studies that followed teens for at least 2 years after surgery to see long-term results. The researchers used statistical methods to combine all the data and calculate average outcomes across all the studies.

By combining multiple studies, researchers can get more reliable results than looking at just one small study. This approach helps identify patterns and outcomes that might not be clear from individual studies alone.

The study included 522 teenagers from multiple research centers, which provides a good sample size. However, the researchers noted that more long-term studies are needed to fully understand the effects of this surgery in young people.

What the Results Show

Teenagers who had the surgery lost an average of 42 pounds in the first year and maintained most of this weight loss for 5 years. Their BMI (a measure of weight relative to height) dropped from an average of 50.1 to about 31 after surgery. This represents about a 37% reduction in total body weight in the first year, with weight loss remaining significant at 32% after 5 years. The surgery was most effective in the first year, with weight loss stabilizing after that point.

Health improvements were dramatic: 85% of teens with diabetes saw their condition improve or disappear, 73% with high blood pressure improved, and 68% with sleep apnea got better. However, nutritional problems emerged, with many teens developing iron and vitamin B12 deficiencies after surgery.

These results are similar to what’s seen in adults who have the same surgery, suggesting that the procedure works similarly across age groups. The weight loss and health improvements match expectations based on adult studies.

The study only followed teens for an average of 4 years, so very long-term effects are unknown. Also, 29% of teens experienced complications, and the studies didn’t always track the same outcomes, making some comparisons difficult.

The Bottom Line

Weight loss surgery may be considered for severely obese teenagers when other treatments haven’t worked, but only with careful medical supervision and commitment to lifelong follow-up care including vitamin monitoring and supplementation

Families of severely obese teenagers who haven’t responded to other treatments, but this should only be considered after thorough evaluation by specialized medical teams

Maximum weight loss typically occurs within the first year, with results stabilizing after that. Health improvements in diabetes and blood pressure can happen relatively quickly after surgery.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Monitor weight changes, vitamin levels (especially iron and B12), and any symptoms of nutritional deficiencies on a monthly basis
  • Focus on eating small, nutrient-dense meals and taking prescribed vitamin supplements consistently
  • Track long-term weight maintenance, medication changes for health conditions, and regular lab work to catch nutritional deficiencies early

This information is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Weight loss surgery decisions should always be made in consultation with qualified healthcare providers who specialize in adolescent bariatric care.