In Teens with Severe Obesity, Can Bariatric Surgery Wait until Adulthood?

This editorial discusses the findings of a study comparing 5year outcomes of gastric bypass surgery in adolescents and adults with severe obesity. While weight loss was similar in both groups (26% in adolescents vs. 29% in adults), adolescents showed significantly higher remission rates of diabetes (86% vs. 53%) and hypertension (68% vs. 41%). However, adolescents faced higher risks of abdominal reoperations and nutritional deficiencies (e.g., low ferritin levels in 48% vs. 29% of adults). The article highlights the dilemma of timing bariatric surgery early intervention may offer better metabolic outcomes but carries unique risks for younger patients. Long-term data are still needed to weigh the lifetime benefits and harms of adolescent bariatric surgery.

This editorial discusses the findings of a study comparing 5year outcomes of gastric bypass surgery in adolescents and adults with severe obesity. While weight loss was similar in both groups (26% in adolescents vs. 29% in adults), adolescents showed significantly higher remission rates of diabetes (86% vs. 53%) and hypertension (68% vs. 41%). However, adolescents faced higher risks of abdominal reoperations and nutritional deficiencies (e.g., low ferritin levels in 48% vs. 29% of adults). The article highlights the dilemma of timing bariatric surgery early intervention may offer better metabolic outcomes but carries unique risks for younger patients. Long-term data are still needed to weigh the lifetime benefits and harms of adolescent bariatric surgery.