Obesity Control Center - The Obesity Control Center is the world leader in weight-loss surgeries

All you need to know about Gastric Banding (Lap Band) for your teen

If there is an ideal procedure for adolescents looking to control their weight, the Lap Band is it! The fastest growing group of obese people in the U.S. is teenagers! The Lap Band has been used to safely and successfully to control obesity in teenagers. The teenage years are often filled with issues of self-esteem and peer pressure without adding to it the shame and isolation obesity causes.

Teenagers struggling with obesity are handicapped to live and lead a normal life. A thorough evaluation of the patient is necessary, including an interview with the parents. The teenager needs to understand the procedure and how it works. Psychological, nutritional and pre-operative assessments are performed prior to surgery. Surgery is, as always, performed under the strictest guidelines for safety.

We have created a special discussion group with a handful of our teenage patients to share their experience and help others in their journey to successful weight loss and life. Their ages vary from 13 years and up from all over the U.S. Some are only a couple of weeks out from their surgery, others a couple of years. All of them sharing their experiences, challenges and triumphs to defeat this devastating disease.