Should a 340-Pound Teen Have Gastric Bypass Surgery?
Original Air Date: Monday, February 4, 2008Cassie’s Gastric Banding Surgery Story: At 13, Cassie already weighed 220 pounds and was causing concern in her mother. Cassie’s mom, Jennifer, described how rapidly she was putting weight on and how she has stopped doing the things she loved and was starting to get teased. Instead of opting for years of weight gain and humiliation, Jennifer took Cassie to Tijuana, Mexico to have gastric banding surgery. While the FDA does not approve this surgery for children in the US, Jennifer was able to take Cassie to Mexico where it is legal. 4 years after surgery, Cassie is 17 and weighs 141 pounds and feels happy with her results.A Doctor’s Opinion on Weight Loss Surgery in Children: Dr. Diana Farmer, from UCSF Children’s Hospital, shared why she is against children having weight loss surgery. Dr. Farmer pointed out that kids are not dying from obesity at or before 18, therefore they should weight until they are adults to decide – instead of having par
