"For decades, the number of kids trying weight-loss surgery has been tiny. The operations themselves were risky, with a death rate of about 1 in 50. Children rarely got that fat, and when they did, pediatricians hesitated to put developing bodies under the knife. Only 350 kids in the U.S. had such an operation in 2004, according to federal statistics."

"But improvements in surgical technique and huge increases in the number of dangerously obese children have begun fueling a change of heart."

"A group of four hospitals, led by Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, are starting a large-scale study this spring examining how children respond to various types of weight-loss surgery, including gastric bypass, in which a pouch is stapled off from the rest of the stomach and connected to the small intestine."

"Three more hospitals have approval from the Food and Drug Administration to test how teens fare with a procedure called laparoscopic gastric banding, where an elastic collar installed around the stomach limits how much someone can eat."

"The FDA has hesitated to approve the gastric band for children, but surgeons at New York University Medical Center reported in the Journal of Pediatric Surgery this month that the device holds promise."

"The 53 boys and girls, ages 13 to 17, who participated in NYU's study shed nearly half their excess weight over 18 months, while suffering relatively minor complications."

"Crystal Kasprowicz of St. James, N.Y., said she lost 100 pounds from her 250-pound frame after having the band installed at 17."

"Before the procedure, Kasprowicz said she took medication for a rapid heartbeat and was showing signs of developing diabetes. Every effort she made to stop getting bigger failed. Dieting didn't work, she said. Her heart problems made it hard to exercise."

"Now, she's off the heart drugs. Her blood-sugar levels are in check. She also feels better about herself. "I'm very outgoing now," said Kasprowicz. "I'm not as self-conscious when I go shopping for clothing.""

"Similar studies are under way at the University of Illinois Medical Center in Chicago and at the Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital of New York-Presbyterian, which recently opened a weight-loss surgery center for teens. Doctors there expect to conduct about 50 operations this year."

"Children are only considered candidates for surgery after they have spent six months trying to lose weight through conventional methods under hospital supervision. But so far, not a single one has slimmed down enough to take surgery off the table, said Dr. Jeffrey Zitsman, associate attending surgeon at Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital."

"Of the patients who participated in the NYU study, two needed a second operation to adjust a slipping band; two developed hernias; five got an infection; five suffered mild hair loss; and four had iron deficiencies related to their new diet. After the study was complete, one patient asked to have her band removed because of discomfort, said Evan Nadler, a pediatric surgeon and co-author of the study."

"Nadler said those complications were minor compared to the chronic diabetes and cardiovascular disease teens would face if they remained that heavy into adulthood."

"I hope parents that allow this surgery have tried all other options. Surgery is always risky. Any surgery should be used as a last resort unless your condition is life threatening. The best thing to do for your children is take away the TV, computer and video games and go outside with your children to do activities."

"If you watch any talk shows about overweight children it shows the parent and they are usually overweight. So we need to set a good example and show our children how to be healthy. I know it's tough but it can be done."

"Best of luck to all that have weight issues that are constantly battling to keep it under control. It is a constant battle. I come from a family of overweight people and it is a constant battle to not become overweight. There are so many temptations out there."

"A good diet and exercise would hopefully been tried first. Growth hormones in meat and trans fats have just as much to do with obesity as excess calories, such as from soda pop. Good filtered or bottled water is just as refreshign as a soda pop. Try an organic vegetarian diet for a year, before taking this invasive procedure."

"I
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