How safe is gastric bypass surgery?
Gastric bypass surgery is recognized by the National Institutes of Health as a safe, well-tolerated, and effective method for weight reduction. The Roux-en Y gastric bypass has been performed and perfected over a 30-year period, while the Adjustable Gastric Band has been approved for use in adults (>18 years old) in the U.S. since 2001. Cincinnati Children’s is now spearheading scientific studies funded by the National Institutes of Health to examine the clinical outcomes in this weight loss surgery. Adolescent obesity and its impact on overall health have become national concerns. As a result, an increasing number of adolescents have undergone this surgery in recent years. Studies indicate that the numerous health benefits they attain are similar to those of adults who have undergone the same operation.
