Weight Loss Surgery, Delaware Valley

Weight loss surgery, also called metabolic and bariatric surgery, can help teens who have severe obesity and are at risk for serious medical problems, such as diabetes, disability, heart disease and mental health issues. At Nemours Children’s, our goal is to help teens not only lose weight but be healthier overall.

Our surgeons perform laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy for weight loss. This involves removing a large part of the stomach to create a smaller one that holds less food, and helps eliminate hormones that drive hunger. The term “laparoscopic” means we use very small cuts and a tiny camera to guide the procedure. Laparoscopic surgery may help your child heal faster.

Our work has been recognized for excellence — we’re the only pediatric weight management program and hospital accredited by the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP) in the Delaware Valley to safely perform weight-loss surgery for teens.

We consider your child’s physical health and emotional maturity. For the weight loss surgery to be successful, we’ll fully involve your family in decision-making and follow-up care.

Your child may be a candidate for gastric sleeve surgery at Nemours if they:

• Are at least 12 years old
• Are 100 or more pounds over their ideal body weight
• Have tried unsuccessfully to lose weight
• Have serious weight-related problems like diabetes, heart disease, sleep apnea and joint issues

Your child gets complete care at Nemours. As part of our weight loss surgery program, pre- and post-surgery services include:

• Psychological evaluations and counseling
• Nutritional counseling and education
• Exercise evaluations
• Personal training