Stomach stapling for kids???

[cougarnurse]

If this is to be believed, the kids DID try other weight loss methods:

Child stomach surgeries more popular - Yahoo! News

'Cat'

[Marie_LPN]

I saw that article last night, and i just don't get how it's a good idea. And i'm afraid that some people will see it as a quick fix (which it's not).

Is there any sort of nutritional effect on development?

[cougarnurse]

I wouldn't doubt it, with better nutrition starting before conception, etc, WIC programs, etc......

'Cat'

[Marie_LPN]

I see so many differences in my childhood compared to the kids' today, though.

First, i remember fast food being a once in awhile thing. We went once a week (Saturday lunchtime) to McDonalds during Lego season, so we could collect each set from the Happy Meal.

I remember being told (without choice) to go outside and play, and them being dragged inside kicking and screaming at dark.

I remember a video game was something the rich kid down the street had.

Computer games were only available at school, and those games were educational games.

But now, this is a computer age, you can't trust your neighbors like you used to, so the kids don't go out as much as they used to, and with most people not having the choice to work, that leaves little time for fixing a healthy meals, and so there's the convenience foods.

[Ricu]

I wonder if the motivating factor behind promoting this surgery is the recognition that the facility and it's surgeons will get and not the potential "benefits" that the clients might get. I am in less opposition to banding than I am to stapling and bypass.

Reconstructing the digestive anatomy may have corrected the problems experienced by many morbidly obese people but it didn't cure the condition that caused the obesity in the first place. Obviously the choice to undergo this surgery lies with the client but I'm sure there are nonsurgical solutions even extreme ones, that will yield the weightloss benefit. I'm sure too that some treatment has been offered or even required but there is still that preexistent eating disorder and it's psychological component which can't be surgically altered, stapeled, banded or excised.

I'm looking foreward to a twenty year retrospective study on this form of treatment for morbid obesity and it's been about that many years since I saw my first bariatric surgical patient. Has anyone seen a study on longterm success rates of this procedure? I haven't. Does anyone know of someone for whom the surgery didn't work? I do. What about complications? I've seen many.

R

[cougarnurse]

From what I understand, this is fairly recent with the younger aged population. I, too, wonder about the long term problems.

'Cat'

[Marie_LPN]

The lap banding, i wouldn't think, have as much permanent physical deformity on the stomach, since it can be reversed, but the stapling, definitely not sure about.

[cassioo]

Does anyone know of someone for whom the surgery didn't work? I do. What about complications? I've seen many.

R

One of the largest patients I ever took care of was about 800# she had her stomach stapled in the 80's when she weighted about 250#. You still have to change your whole way of eating just like any diet they only work while you stick to the plan....the guy, Matt that won last years biggest loser has gained back since he's not exercising all day long and gone back to eating junk.
I was thinking lap band too when I started reading this thread and there someone else has also thought of it....I want one

[nurse1stik]

I know quite a few adults that are healthy appearing. I have seen people look sickly from gastric bypass. I don'e like the idea of the sagging skin.. mine sags enough already
:luck:

[ang82]

I work at a hospital where various gastric bypass procedures are done. last year we had our long time Doctor retire who did the biliopancreatic diversion. We had quite a few people that had gastric stapling years ago and had gained some of their weight back. I remember taking care of a 16 year old female who had this surgery. It was quite a difficult thing for me to do as I do not think that 16 year olds should be having surgery.

I mean at 16, children are still growing and their bodies are going through all sorts of changes. Who's to say that in a few years things will level out and she will lose weight?

Not to mention how on earth does a 16 year old have the understanding of the impact that it will have on her life and the neccassary changes that will have to be made and the LIFELONG commitment it will be.

I anticipate many long term complications from the surgery, regardless of when it is done. I have seen many complications from not eating correctly and taking the neccessary vitamins. You can't mean to tell me that a child understands all of the risks.