Adolescent Bariatric Surgery: Is Weight Loss Surgery Right for Your Teen?

What this milestone means for families in northern Nevada

Renown Health's Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Program has earned accreditation to provide bariatric surgery for adolescent patients — a significant step forward for young people and families across northern Nevada.

For families who have spent years searching for answers, this means one more option is now available close to home.

Why This Matter

Severe obesity in children and teenagers is not a matter of willpower or lifestyle choices. It is a serious, chronic disease — one with real and lasting consequences if left untreated.

Adolescents with severe obesity are significantly more likely to carry the condition into adulthood, where it raises the risk for early cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease and high blood pressure. The window for intervention matters.

The encouraging news is that earlier, effective treatment can change that trajectory. The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) recognizes metabolic and bariatric surgery as a safe, effective option for adolescents — when delivered through a comprehensive, multidisciplinary program. Research points to meaningful improvements in metabolic health, quality of life and long-term outcomes.

Who May Qualify

National guidelines identify bariatric surgery as an option for adolescents who meet specific clinical criteria:

• Class II obesity — at or above 120% of the 95th percentile for age and sex — with a related condition such as Type 2 diabetes, obstructive sleep apnea, fatty liver disease, hypertension or impaired quality of life
• Class III obesity — at or above 140% of the 95th percentile — even without additional conditions

Every patient is different, and a thorough evaluation with our multidisciplinary team is always the first step.

What Sets Renown Apart

Accreditation for adolescent bariatric surgery is more than a credential. It reflects a commitment to meeting the highest standards of care for young patients and their families.

A successful outcome does not begin and end in the operating room. It depends on the right support before, during and long after surgery. At Renown, adolescent patients have access to:

• A dedicated care team with experience in the unique physical and emotional needs of young patients
• A comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach that includes surgical, nutritional, psychological and family support
• Evidence-based care aligned with the latest national guidelines from ASMBS
• Long-term follow-up designed to support lasting health — not just short-term results

You Do Not Have to Figure This Out Alone

If your child is living with severe obesity, our team is here to have an honest, compassionate conversation about every available option — including whether surgical treatment is the right fit for your family.

To learn more about Renown's Bariatric Surgery Program, visit renown.org/bariatric or call 775-982-6270.

The Renown Health Center for Bariatric Surgery is accredited to provide adolescent bariatric surgery within a comprehensive, multidisciplinary program in accordance with American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery national guidelines.