IS ADOLESCENT GASTRIC-RESTRICTIVE ANTIOBESITY SURGERY WARRANTED

Background: There is a paucity of Information about adolescent morbid obesity and bariatric surgery. Methods: We interviewed 78% of an adole scent (less than or equal to 21 years) bariatric surgical population w ho had a vertical banded gastroplasty between 3 and 120 months previou sly. There were three males (M) and 11 females (F). History of obesity , post-operative change in diet, time spent exercising, weight change and subjective impressions were addressed. Results: Males weighed more pre-operatively, lost more weight post-operatively and took longer to lose it than females. (Pre-op BMI: M = 59 +/- 2 vs F = 45 +/- 1; p le ss than or equal to 0.001. Months to lowest weight post-surgery: M = 3 7 +/- 17 vs F = 13 +/- 4; p less than or equal to 0.05. Post-operative BMI: M = 35 +/- 5 vs F = 33 +/- 3 NS), Length of follow up (years) wa s similar (M = 7 +/- 0.5 vs F = 4.1 +/- 1 NS). Both groups increased t he amount of exercise following surgery. (Exercise minutes per week: M = Pre-op 13 +/- 13 vs Post-op 245 +/- 126 NS; F = Pre-op 18 +/- 16 vs Post-op 147 +/- 48; p less than or equal to 0.05). Males eat more tha n females (total K calorie per day: M = 4309 +/- 1677 vs F = 2324 +/- 417 NS), However, both groups have a high-fat diet (fat as per cent of total diet: M = 45 +/- 2 vs F = 42 +/- 3). The 13/14 patients who los t weight support the concept of bariatric surgery being offered to an adolescent population. We ascribe the acceptable weight loss to the de crease in food intake, coupled with a major increase in physical activ ity. Conclusion: These data indicate that the adolescent morbidly obes e population may be offered the same gastric-restrictive antiobesity t herapy as adults, albeit with intensive dietary counselling.