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Bariatric surgery has been used in pediatric patients after medical management of obesity has failed. The gastric bypass procedure is traditionally performed, but it carries risks for mortality and morbidity. Investigators at one institution in New York City report 1-year outcomes of 53 morbidly obese adolescents (age range, 13–17 years; mean weight, 297 pounds; 77% female; 81% white) who underwent laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB).
During post-surgical follow-up visits, gastric bands were adjusted based on appetite, weight loss, food restriction, and satiety. No intraoperative complications were reported; 9.4% of patients had minor operative complications. The mean percentage of excess weight loss was 37.5% at 6 months and 62.7…