Article: Weight loss surgery a last resort for some teens

06:09 PM PST on Monday, November 12, 2007
By DAVE NORTHFIELD, kgw.com Staff

He's only 16, but Cam Kennedy says he got a new lease on life this summer.

"I've dropped weight, I feel healthy, I feel good."

Kennedy has lost 60 pounds after undergoing so-called "lab band" (sic)surgery at Legcay Good Samaritan Hospital.

His weight has dropped from just under 400 pounds to 340.

The surgery placed a belt around the upper part of the stomach, restricting the amount of food that can enter. Patients eat less and feel full longer.

The procedure is not FDA approved for teenagers, but Kennedy took part in a federal study to determine whether it's an option for young people.

"I feel like we made the right choice," said Cam's mother Renee, who said her son tried a number of weight loss programs with little success.

She says he was also facing serious weight related health issues, such as diabetes and sleep apnea.

But there are critics, people who say teens are too young for such radical surgery. "I'm not very comfortable with it," said Dr. Addison Wilson, a family practice physician.

"We just don't know enough about the long term ramifications of this type of surgery." Dr. Wilson says many things should happen before weight loss surgery, especially an increase in physical activity and exercise.

He also says the surgery needs to be accompanied by a serious healthy lifestyles program.

That's just what the family is doing, said Renee Kennedy.

"It's been about a family lifestyle change," she said, adding that the family is eating healthier food and exercising.

The Kennedys heard about the study and quickly had Cam enrolled. Subjects were chosen after several counseling sessions to determine whether the family understands the commitment involved.

Now Cam says he's looking forward to losing more weight, and that the success has helped motivate him to achieve in school and other areas of this life.

"When I was overweight, I just wanted to sit there and not do anything."

Now, Cam says his life is full of possibilities.

Source: http://www.kgw.com/health/stories/kgw_111207_special_weight_loss_teen.204b01465.html