Adolescent Bariatric Surgery

Body Mass Index (BMI)

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a person's weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters. A high BMI can be an indicator of high body fat percent

BMI categories include:

• Normal BMI: 19 to 24
• Overweight BMI: 25 to 29
• Obese BMI: 30 to 39
• Severe Obesity BMI: 40 to 49
• Super Obese BMI: 50+

What is Your BMI?

Click below to check access the CDCs children BMI guidelines. 

https://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/bmi/calculator.html

What Are The Qualifications For Weight Loss Surgery

While each candidate for weight loss surgery is considered individually, the following are the general guidelines:

• BMI ≥120% of the 95th percentile (≥35kg/m²) with associated risk factors.
• BMI ≥140% of the 95th percentile (≥40kg/m²) without associated risk factors.

Risk Factors Associated With Morbid Obesity

Medical conditions commonly resulting from untreated morbid obesity include:

What Options Do I Have?

Often, dieting and exercise alone cannot successfully treat obesity; which is where the role for weight loss surgery comes in. AtlantiCare’s Center for Weight Loss uses evidence-based methods recommended by the National Institutes of Health and approved by Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program. This includes the bariatric surgical procedure called “sleeve gastrectomy”, which helps patients achieve and maintain substantial weight loss.

All our procedures are performed using state of the art robotic technology allowing fast recoveries and minimal postoperative discomfort.

Program Overview

You must view our webinar online and register.

After viewing the online webinar, click on the provided link to contact the Bariatric Coordinator. Please enter your full name, phone number, and email address. Someone will contact you in the near future or you may call the office directly to schedule an appointment with the surgeon of your choice at (609) 363-9491.

To learn more about our surgeons and their qualifications, click here.

Program Requirements

Initial outpatient pediatrician referral to the program is required along with webinar viewing and registration. This is a 6 month program to prepare the adolescent and family for bariatric/weight loss surgery. Appointments will follow as listed.

Month 1 → Surgeon consult and 1^st nutritional evaluation

Month 2 → 1^st psych evaluation and Support Group

Month 3 → 2^nd nutritional evaluation

Month 4 → 3^rd nutritional evaluation

Month 5 → 2^nd psych evaluation

Month 6 → MBS committee meeting: Pediatric Medical Advisor + Surgeon + Registered Dietician + Psychologist + Program Coordinator

On the 6th month, our multidisciplinary team will meet to discuss each patient and family, and confirm readiness for surgery.

There also may be referrals to other specialists according to patient and family medical history.

Postop Follow-Up

• Discharge on postoperative day #1, if meeting all clinical milestones.
• Outpatient surgery office visit on postoperative week #1.
• Outpatient pediatrician visit within 1 month for medication adjustment and a wellness check.
• Outpatient office visit and weight checks at months 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12; and yearly thereafter.