Abstract
Bariatric surgery has become a more common treatment option for adolescents with severe obesity. However, it is also an elective procedure with both risks and benefits. Commentary by Price, Lee, Washington, and Brandt (2015) outlines ethical considerations for clinicians providing care for these adolescents, and they recommend that decision making be jointly made by adolescents, their guardians, and an interdisciplinary medical team including a psychologist. Key issues raised by Price et al. (2015) include whether consent/assent may be obtained, whether surgery is appropriate in light of medical and psychological comorbidities, and whether adolescents and families can adhere to lifestyle recommendations to maximize safety and long-term health outcomes. This report includes 2 case illustrations with the goal of describing how these ethical considerations appear in clinical practice. It highlights the complexity of decision-making surrounding surgery, as well as the value of working within an interdisciplinary team.
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