U.S. guidelines do not recommend weight loss surgery for patients under the age of 18, but a new clinic located in Qatar will start offering the surgery to patients as young as eight, according to a Digital Journal report.
The center is part of the Hamad Medical Corporation and is expected to be completed in six months. The center is already offering procedures, however, including bariatric surgery.
"We started the bariatric surgery on teenagers aged 14 to 18 and by now five procedures have been done," said Michel Gagner, MD, a visiting bariatric surgeon at the clinic. "Over the next few months, we will start the procedure for those aged between eight and 14."
Dr. Gagner created the laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, which reduces the size of the stomach. He said it is a better option for children than the traditional gastric banding.
Related Articles on Bariatric Surgery:
New Jersey Surgeons Perform State's First Robotic-Assisted Bariatric Surgery
Study: 75% of Bariatric Patients Not Informed of Plastic Surgery Options
Diabetes Group: Bariatric Surgery Fights Type 2 Diabetes in Obese Patients
The center is part of the Hamad Medical Corporation and is expected to be completed in six months. The center is already offering procedures, however, including bariatric surgery.
"We started the bariatric surgery on teenagers aged 14 to 18 and by now five procedures have been done," said Michel Gagner, MD, a visiting bariatric surgeon at the clinic. "Over the next few months, we will start the procedure for those aged between eight and 14."
Dr. Gagner created the laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, which reduces the size of the stomach. He said it is a better option for children than the traditional gastric banding.
Related Articles on Bariatric Surgery:
New Jersey Surgeons Perform State's First Robotic-Assisted Bariatric Surgery
Study: 75% of Bariatric Patients Not Informed of Plastic Surgery Options
Diabetes Group: Bariatric Surgery Fights Type 2 Diabetes in Obese Patients