Adolescent Weight Loss Surgery

While bariatric surgery is well known as the only effective way for people who are morbidly obese to lose and maintain weight loss, weight loss surgery in teens with morbid obesity is still underused. Severe obesity affects 4.4 million children and adolescents in the U.S., yet less than 2000 weight loss surgeries are done in adolescents each year, bariatric surgery being an effective and safe intervention for appropriate teens. That’s less than 1 percent of those who could benefit from this life-improving treatment. A recent study of bariatric surgery in adolescents found significant improvements in weight, cardiometabolic health, and weight-related quality of life for their patients 3 years after surgery.

Here at the MUSC Adolescent Bariatric Surgery program, we are committed to helping teens with morbid obesity to achieve their goals of weight loss and improved quality of life through our comprehensive, interdisciplinary team and services.

Adolescent Accreditation

MUSC is accredited to perform weight loss surgery on adolescents by the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP) of the American College of Surgeons and the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. We are the only hospital in the Lowcountry with accreditation to treat teens, and one of only two programs in South Carolina.

Adolescent Specialists

Pediatric surgeon Dr. Aaron Lesher, who specializes in adolescent bariatric surgery, meets with adolescents patients to evaluate their candidacy from a medical and surgical perspective. Patients meet with a registered dietitian and behavioral health psychologist for consultation, and coordinators to discuss the program, appointments, referrals, and steps to surgery. 

The MUSC Bariatric Surgery Program has partnered with the MUSC Pediatric Heart Health Weight Management Program for adolescents interested in weight loss surgery. At your first visit, we will discuss an individualized plan to help you prepare for surgery. We work with your teen on pre-surgical education in the months leading up to surgery as well as providing a long term commitment to postoperative care as adolescents transition into adulthood.

Our team relies on strong collaboration with your pediatrician and other members of your care team to ensure a long term plan for weight management. We encourage family and caretakers to attend all appointments.

In addition to monthly support groups, pre- and postoperative education classes, and individual appointments, we offer virtual support through a monthly newsletter, Facebook page, and a library of educational materials. We have a network of other adolescents who have had surgery that we can connect you with speak with other teens who have had surgery with us.

Bariatric Surgery Requirements

Minimum requirements for the adolescent program at MUSC Health are:

• Age 13 to 19 at the time of surgery
• Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than 35 kg/m2 with weight-related health problems
• BMI greater than 40 kg/m2
• Consent from both the patient and a parent/guardian
• Psychological evaluation to ensure aptitude for pre- and post-surgery requirements (knowledge of what surgery is all about; risks/benefits; supportive family; willingness to commit to diet, exercise, and long term follow up requirements)
• Patient is done growing (must provide documentation of skeletal maturity)
• Participation in a preparatory program like MUSC’s Heart Health/Pediatric Weight Management Program

Adolescent Weight Management Program – Pediatric Heart Health

Families considering weight loss surgery will participate in a preparatory program like the MUSC Health Heart Health Program, which is both the pediatric weight management program of the MUSC Children’s Hospital and the preventive cardiology service of the Children's Heart Center. We feel that this family-centered and lifestyle-oriented program is the best way for our teens to prepare for the unique challenges that weight loss surgery presents and maintain follow up after surgery to stay on track. Surgery candidates will meet with a team of nutrition and exercise experts, who will provide a supportive structure for our younger patients to learn to lose and maintain weight loss.