At Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, we offer a comprehensive approach to pediatric weight management, including bariatric surgery, to help adolescents achieve a healthier weight and improve their overall well-being. While there are several types of bariatric procedures, including gastric banding, gastric bypass, and gastric sleeve, our expert team specializes in sleeve gastrectomy (gastric sleeve)—the most common metabolic and weight-loss surgery performed in the United States. This procedure reduces the size of the stomach, helping young patients achieve significant and sustainable weight loss.
Based on biological differences, obesity may persist despite a healthy lifestyle and in those cases bariatric surgery isn’t a last resort or an “easy way out”—it’s an effective treatment option that has proven to improve quality of life and treat or prevent other serious health conditions, such as high blood pressure and diabetes.
Surgery is just one part of the process. Our program also provides individualized support, including guidance on nutrition, physical activity, and emotional well-being. When appropriate, we incorporate weight-loss medications as part of a holistic approach to long-term health. With expert care and ongoing support, we give patients and their families access to the tools they need to achieve lasting success.
The Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Difference
CHLA is one of the nation’s highest-volume pediatric surgical centers, offering gastric sleeve procedures for children and adolescents when medically necessary. We treat patients up to age 21 and evaluate cases for children under 10 on an individual basis to ensure safe and effective treatment.
At CHLA, we’re dedicated to ending the stigma around childhood obesity and bariatric surgery as an effective treatment option for children and adolescents. Our team of experts understands that obesity is a complex disease—one influenced by genetics, metabolism, and co-existing medical conditions, not simply lifestyle choices. We take a compassionate, science-based approach that removes shame and blame, ensuring every patient feels supported, respected, and empowered in their journey.
Our dedicated multidisciplinary team includes board-certified surgeons, endocrinologists, dietitians, psychologists, and other specialists who collaborate to provide comprehensive, personalized care. We support families every step of the way—from pre-surgery evaluations to long-term follow-up—helping patients achieve lasting success.
Commonly Treated Conditions
Our Bariatric Surgery Program is designed to treat conditions related to severe obesity in children and adolescents, such as:
- Type 2 diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Sleep apnea
- Heart disease
- Liver disease
- Mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety
- Orthopedic conditions, like osteoarthritis and soft-tissue damage
Learn more about childhood obesity and the risk factors we address.
Treatment and Support Services We Offer
Our approach combines expert medical care with robust support services tailored to the individual needs of each patient. Through our partnership with the Healthy Weight Clinic, we offer a holistic treatment plan designed to address both the physical and emotional aspects of living with obesity.
Bariatric surgery is science-based, compassionate care that gives children and teens the best chance for long-term success. Some children may need a structured, staged approach, but for others, gastric sleeve surgery is the right first step. We recognize that every child’s needs are different, and we are here to offer solutions that are right for them.
Our comprehensive support services include:
- Nutrition counseling: Helping your child establish healthy eating habits before and after surgery.
- Psychological support: Guiding families and children through the emotional aspects of their weight-loss journey.
- Care Coordination: Guiding families to ensure they have support from their school systems, workplaces, and communities during this process
- Follow-up care: Ensuring long-term success with regular check-ups and ongoing support.
At CHLA, we are dedicated to empowering families and children every step of the way, offering the expertise and encouragement needed to embrace a healthier lifestyle and future.