Bariatric surgery

Abstract Commonly billed as the epidemic of the twenty-first century, obesity in children is now a widespread international problem. Obesity and its severe comorbidities, including type II diabetes, hypertension, and sleep apnoea, are increasingly seen at young ages, even in infants and toddlers. This chapter covers the rationale for treatment of obesity at an early age, as well as treatment options in adolescents, including surgery. The chapter discusses three common surgical procedures performed in children: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass; adjustable gastric band insertion; and sleeve gastrectomy. Patient selection criteria in the UK are also discussed. The chapter also highlights the complications of the procedure, emphasizing the need for long-term follow-up by appropriate teams in post-operative management of these patients.