How to build an adolescent bariatric surgery program

Adolescent bariatric surgery has shown itself to be an effective method of weight loss, particularly for young patients suffering from severe obesity. Timely surgical intervention in the adolescent patient results in long-term weight loss, reversal of comorbidities, and overall improvement in health. Despite proven success, there are still too few programs for the growing volumes of adolescents who need intervention. Many institutions are evaluating adolescent bariatric program development. The impact of a well-structured adolescent bariatric surgery program is invaluable to the pediatric community. Developing and maintaining an effective program requires intentionality and institutional commitment. A focus on growth and sustainability supported by clear benchmarks and consistent measurements is necessary. The more adolescent bariatric programs that are created and are able to grow and sustain themselves, the more opportunities there will be for children suffering with severe obesity to obtain the treatment that can lengthen and drastically improve their lives. This article provides a blueprint full of practical steps for those looking to build their own adolescent bariatric surgery program.