gery, like any surgery, does come with risks. Uncommon but serious risks include:
Other side effects are more common and not quite as serious, but still unpleasant nonetheless. For example, many people who've had weight loss surgery have pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and acid reflux (heartburn) after eating — especially if they eat too much or too quickly. This is why they have to change their approach to eating. If they don't, not only will they continue to feel sick, but in time they can regain weight.
"Dumping syndrome" is a problem associated mainly with gastric bypass. This is when food moves too quickly through the stomach and intestines, causing nausea, weakness, sweating, abdominal cramping, and diarrhea. Because dumping can be made worse by eating high-sugar or high-fat foods, teens need be especially careful about the types of food they eat as their bodies get used to a different mode of digestion. This can be especially difficult for teens, since fast food and sugary snacks can seem like their own food group at this age, and the pressure to fit in can make it harder to make good nutritional choices.
And last but not least, there are the emotional side effects. For example, it can be hard for some teens to figure out a new, healthy relationship with food, especially if they and others in their family have relied on food for comfort in the past.
Some teens may undergo an identity crisis of sorts and have trouble relating to others in their new, thinner body. And others have such high expectations — thinking that the surgery will boost their popularity or bring them more attention — that they're disappointed to find that old problems still exist even at a smaller size.
To be sure, weight loss surgery is not a quick fix and is not considered an "easy way out." There's a lot of hard work involved. But for teens whose health is compromised by obesity and who are willing to make the commitment to a new way of life, the effort may well be worth it.
|Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Offering nutrition information, resources, and access to registered dietitians.|
|American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) The AAP is committed to the health and well-being of infants, adolescents, and young adults. The website offers news articles and tips on health for families.|
|American Diabetes Association (ADA) The ADA website includes news, information, tips, and recipes for people with diabetes.|
|Overeaters Anonymous This organization is dedicated to helping people recover from compulsive overeating.|
|American College of Surgeons The website of the American College of Surgeons provides consumer information about common surgeries such as appendectomy.|
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|Metabolic Syndrome Metabolic syndrome is a signal that someone could be on the road to serious health problems. Find out more about it in this article for teens.|
|How Can I Lose Weight Safely? Lots of people are unhappy with their present weight, but aren't sure how to change it - or even if they need to. Get the facts on weight loss here.|
|Overweight and Obesity It's an alarming statistic: 1 out of 3 U.S. kids are considered overweight or obese. Find out how to overcome overweight and obesity in your own family.|
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