How young is too young to get weight loss surgery?

It's Best: To finish growing first as malabsorption is part of the surgical result. It would also ideally be best to have your child bearing years behind you if you are female. Sit down and discuss with a bariatric surgeon. Ultimately you should strive for medically managed weightless first and consider surgery only after all noninvasive methods have failed. Except for the band, it's a permanent surgery.

Weight loss for teen: We do operate on teens, but usually no younger than 16 and only after proving they have physically matured and an extensive psychosocial and medical evaluation. I have many patients that were teens at surgery and are in their 20's now. They are extremely happy. For the right teen, it can be the best thing that has ever happened to them.