The problem of childhood obesity in the United States has become so widespread it has led First Lady Michelle Obama to create the ‘Let’s Move’ program to reduce obesity in children. Estimates place obesity rates among adolescents between 16-32%. According to The New England Journal of Medicine, the next generation of children may be the first in history to have a shorter life expectancy than their parents.

Obesity most commonly begins around adolescence, but can start as early as age 6. Studies have shown that a child who is obese at the age of 13 has an 80% chance of becoming an obese adult. If one parent is obese, there is a 50% chance that the children will also be obese; when both parents are obese, children have an 80% chance of being obese. In a study reported by the CDC, 70% of obese 5-17 year olds had at least one risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

There are many risks and complications with obesity. Physical consequences include, in addition to increased risk of heart disease, an increased likelihood of high blood pressure , diabetes , breathing problems, persistent digestive problems such as acid reflux, as well as potentially life threatening sleep apnea. In addition, adolescent obesity is associated with an increased risk of emotional problems, including lower self-esteem, depression, anxiety, and social isolation.

Dr. Juan Lopez Corvala, is affectionately known as 'the Little Giant of LAP-BAND' and is widely regarded  by the North American medical community as a top expert in laparoscopic surgery technique.  He has performed more than 5,000 laparoscopic weight loss surgeries. Dr. Carmen Calleja As the Physician Nutritionist on the Hospital Angeles Tijuana obesity surgery team, "Dr. Carmen"" (as she is known to her patients) has worked with thousands of American weight loss surgery patients.

The Obesity Surgery Experts Angeles Can Help

As the number of adolescents with clinically severe obesity has grown, so too have the number of adolescents seeking bariatric surgery. The experts at Hospital Angeles are leading providers of the safest, most minimally invasive bariatric procedures: LAP-BAND® and the innovative new restrictive Gastric Pleat (Plication) procedure which features no device or stomach resection (cutting), and greater/more rapid weight loss.

"We work with both the child and the parent to ensure the tool of weight loss surgery will be a success for the patient.   Once the surgery has occurred, the real work of changing what's in the mind begins.  For many discouraged, obese adolescents, weight loss surgery can certainly help jump-start/motivate that process."

Hospital Angeles is part of the Health Travel Guides premier global healthcare network.  Angeles is  the largest private hospital network in Mexico; Hospital Angeles Tijuana was built in 2006, features more than 100 private patient rooms, and is just 20 minutes from downtown San Diego.

At Health Travel Guides we are proud to connect our US patients with one of the most experienced obesity surgery teams in the world.  The cross-functional obesity surgical team at Hospital Angeles Tijuana brings a wealth of both compassion and experience to the treatment of adolescent patients of all  cultures, eating profiles and family obesity histories.  Head gastroenterologist surgeon Dr. Lopez-Corvala's honorifics include:

• More than 6,000 weight loss surgeries
• Certified Allergan LAP-BAND® surgeon
• Experience in more than 100 US hospitals
• Published professor of obesity medicine
• President, Mexican Association of Endoscopic Surgery
• Member, Latin American Association of Endoscopic Surgery
• Member, International Federation of Obesity Surgery *
• Member, Council of Advanced Bariatrics

Adolescent Weight Loss Surgery Packages LAP-BAND® $5,200 Gastric Plication $8,500

When  You're Ready To Take the Next Step Together with  Your Child

Patients must have a minimum BMI of 35 to qualify for weight loss surgery. Patients with a BMI of 30 may be accepted depending on the presence of obesity-related health issues/complications (for example, hypertension, or Type 2 Diabetes).

Health Travel Guides works with patients as young as 16 for Gastric Plication. Patients as young as 12 may be considered for LAP-BAND® based on medical condition, though age 14 and up is preferred.

To find out if your adolescent is a candidate for LAP-BAND® or Gastric Plication, you can submit an online medical profile by clicking on the link below. Parents, you will need to fill out the profile with your child. 

The process takes about 15 minutes, and the medical team will review the information.  A Case Manager will be in touch to let you know next steps, provide you with information about our program, and answer your questions.

Submit Personal Medical Profile

Be well!