According to the results of a qualitative study, there are 3 main groups of barriers related to Bariatric Surgery in Adolescents.
It is estimated that 4.5 million youth in the US have severe obesity (SO). Metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) is the most effective and durable treatment for adolescents with SO. Yet only an estimated 1,600 of adolescents undergo the procedure annually.
To understand patients’ perceptions and experiences with the barriers to MBS as an adolescent. ASMBS study conducted 14 qualitative interviews with individuals who received MBS between the ages of 19-25 in the last 5 years regarding the barriers to MBS they experienced as an adolescent.
The results? The study identified 3 principal groups of barriers related to:
- A lack of information that MBS was an option and the absence of discussions about MBS with medical providers while an adolescent.
- A lack of access to MBS primarily related to insurance coverage, costs and family related issues.
- A general stigma around MBS as a treatment for obesity.
In conclusion, this study suggests the primary barriers to MBS for adolescents with SO are related to a general lack of information about MBS, social stigma and access issues related to costs which decrease or limit access.
Researchers suggests that bariatric surgeries performed early in adolescence “could more effectively reverse complications of obesity” that might appear later as an adult. That’s why Dr. Huacuz offers Adolescent Bariatric Surgery in Tijuana, Mexico. Cause there’s no reason why a teen should struggle with their appearance or rejection issues as a result of SO.
About Dr. Huacuz
Dr. Huacuz is a General Surgeon with a specialty in Bariatric Surgery, which is doubly certified by both the Mexican Council of General Surgery and the Mexican College of Surgery for Obesity and Metabolic Diseases, in addition to being a Regular Member of the ASMBS and IFSO.
He has more than 20 years of experience in the area of General Surgery and Training in Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery. Currently Dr. Huacuz is the tenured professor of the Laparoscopic Surgery for Surgeons course at the HGR01 of the IMSS Tijuana for 10 years where he receives two fellows annually.
Source: www.asmbs.org