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Research & Innovation
It starts with a Q:
For the latest cutting-edge research, innovative collaborations and remarkable discoveries in child health, read stories from across all our areas of study in Q: Advances and Answers in Pediatric Health.
Preparation and Recovery
Bariatric surgery preparation
Learning that your teen is a candidate for bariatric surgery can make you feel hopeful, but nervous. Our bariatric surgery care team members support teens and their families throughout the journey – from candidate evaluation and surgery preparation to recovery and beyond.
Our families discuss preparation for surgery
The preparation and education our bariatric surgery team gave Mona and her mom before and after surgery was very reassuring. Here, they discuss how they each prepared for the bariatric surgery journey, which started several months before surgery.
Bariatric surgeries we perform
At Children's Hospital Colorado, we offer two types of bariatric surgery – vertical sleeve gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y bypass surgery. The type of surgery that is best for your teen depends on different factors, such as their health condition. Both types of surgery require the same preparation before surgery, and the same care after surgery.
Vertical sleeve gastrectomy
Vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG) is an irreversible procedure to reduce the size of the stomach by removing a portion of it. This causes weight loss by limiting the amount of food that can be eaten at one time. This procedure takes about two hours.
The Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB)
The Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is a type of weight loss surgery that involves two steps. First, a small stomach pouch is created. Next, a part of the small intestine is separated and reconnected to the small stomach pouch, bypassing a portion of the small intestine. This decreases the amount that your teen can eat or drink at each meal. This procedure takes two to four hours.
Bariatric surgery recovery
Recovery from bariatric surgery is both a physical and mental process, according to Mona. While she was at home, she found that the mental recovery was more challenging than the physical recovery. The process of feeling better about herself and getting back to her routine was particularly challenging.
The recovery process
Teens will need to recover from bariatric surgery at home for about two weeks. Our care team closely monitors teens during the recovery process and provides the support and resources needed for optimal healing and weight loss.
Bariatric Surgery Recovery
Our multidisciplinary approach
Our bariatric surgery team provides multidisciplinary expertise and support to teens from evaluation through recovery and beyond.
Multidisciplinary Team Approach
"I have more confidence in myself than I ever have. Children's has made me comfortable in my decision."Jessika, patient about to have bariatric surgery
Additional bariatric surgery resources
Next: Life after surgery
Mona shares the challenges of changing ingrained habits.
Read more information about our bariatric surgery program and the types of surgeries we offer.
Learn more about how bariatric surgery works, its benefits and the criteria a teen needs to meet to have surgery.
Determine your teen's BMI using the CDC's tool, and entering in their weight and height.
Partnership with the University of Colorado School of Medicine
Children's Hospital Colorado partners with the University of Colorado School of Medicine, where many of our physicians and care providers serve as faculty.