Obese kids can now get surgery here

May 20, 2004, 12:24AM
Obese kids can now get surgery here
Texas Children's offers bypass procedure once unavailable
By ERIC BERGER
Copyright 2004 Houston Chronicle Medical Writer
http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/metropolitan/2581014



The doctors responsible for treating the most obese children in Houston have had a startling change of heart.

When first approached a few years ago about performing gastric bypass surgery on adolescents, a drastic procedure that permanently shrinks the stomach and rearranges the intestines, the Texas Children's Hospital surgeons declared it unthinkable.

But children have continued to grow fatter -- with some estimates now classifying 40 percent of Texas children as obese. So the pediatric surgeons reconsidered gastric bypass, and earlier this month two local girls had the surgery. The hospital has kept its two patients, who are recovering successfully, anonymous for now.

"Given the epidemic, it's our obligation to address this problem," said Dr. Michael Helmrath, one of two surgeons leading the new program at Texas Children's. "To ignore a problem won't make it go away."

The main surgical response to morbid obesity, bariatric operations, is a potent one. Patients can lose hundreds of pounds. It is also a dangerous one. For every 100 to 200 gastric bypass surgeries performed, one patient dies from complications.

*SNIP*

But when 40% of the population has a problem, don't you think maybe it's time to address the root cause? How about teaching kids how to eat better, exercise, and spend less time on TVs and computers? Just my 2 cents...

Better yet, how about teaching parents how to read the labels on packages so they can buy healthier foods and snacks.

Sorry I don't have a link to cite this, but I remember NPR reporting last week that kids spend more time watching TV than they do in school.

I know there are some kids with a genetic predisposition to being the fat kid, but not 40% of them! This really is an epidemic - and it's one that can be easily prevented!

I can't imagine being obese as a child--but then, I spent 80% of my childhood outdoors. Poor kids. :(

n/t

Even when I was a child, there was not nearly the weight problem that there is now. There were a few overweight kids. Only one was severely overweight, who had a medical problem. Children are growing. Sensible eating and playing outside should keep them from getting obese. That's why not eliminating recess and gym classes are important.

...the ones that you never see playing outside.