Many adult health problems, like diabetes and heart disease, are related to obesity and begin in childhood. M Health Fairview’s Healthy You weight management program helps your child face and overcome the medical, nutritional and emotional issues related to his or her weight. Our pediatric rehabilitation team will work with you and your child’s doctor to create a plan to lose weight and maintain a healthier lifestyle. Our goal is to help your child be successful in achieving long-term health, both physical and mental.

Conditions we treat

• Decreased strength and endurance for daily activity related to obesity
• Medical complications associated with obesity, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, pre-diabetes and fatty liver disease
• Delayed motor skills (running, jumping, balance) related to obesity
• Orthopedic issues (muscle and joint pain, poor leg and foot alignment) related to obesity

Teen Weight Loss Surgery Program

We want you to have the best and safest short-term and long-term outcomes possible. Because of that, our Teen Weight Loss Surgery Program is specifically tailored to the unique developmental issues of adolescents and young adults. Our program is one of just a few in Minnesota that is adolescent-certified by the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program.

If you are considering weight loss surgery, we will work closely with you to make sure:

• You and your family understand what's involved in having major surgery.
• You are in the best shape possible for your surgery.
• Your surgery will be as safe as possible.
• You understand how to care for yourself after surgery.
• You, your family and your medical and surgical team believe that weight loss surgery is absolutely the right step for you to take.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Does insurance cover weight loss surgery for teens? insurance companies cover weight loss surgery for teenagers; some do not. It is important to check with your individual insurance company to see if they will cover weight loss surgery for teenagers.

What does your program involve?

• At least six monthly visits with each of the following providers are required: our medical doctor (or surgeon), our dietitian and our psychologist.
• You also will be required to attend other appointments, such as the exercise evaluation.
• During this time, we will get you ready for your surgery and for your life after surgery.
• After your surgery, you will have regular, required check-ups.

What can I expect during the program?

• The medical doctor reviews your health to make sure you are in the best possible shape before your surgery. This might include, for example, treating high blood pressure or diabetes or depression if you have these conditions.
• The medical doctor may also prescribe medications to help you lose weight, if indicated. The medical doctor oversees your care before and after your surgery.
• The surgeon and the medical doctor, along with input from you and your family, will determine which surgery is best for you. They will discuss the pros and cons of the various procedures. The surgeon performs the operation and oversees your care while you are in the hospital.
• The dietitian instructs you on how and what to eat before and after your surgery. Eating after surgery is very different from “normal” eating, and there is a lot to learn. The dietitian also will guide you through the diet progression after surgery and ensure that you are taking the appropriate vitamin and mineral supplements.
• The psychologist ensures that you are emotionally ready for your surgery. During the six months before surgery, the psychologist will explore your pros and cons of having surgery and teach you problem solving skills.
• The exercise specialist will determine your level of fitness by measuring how far you can walk in six minutes. You will then be prescribed an exercise plan to do at home. A few months later, the exercise specialist will retest you on the six-minute walk test.

What can I expect on my first visit?

• We spend time learning about the factors causing the extra weight.
• We discuss prior attempts at weight loss, what worked, what didn’t and why.
• We review your physical health and emotional health and perform a physical exam.
• You will get a blood test for diabetes, high cholesterol and fatty liver disease.
• The dietitian will give you an eating plan and discuss the importance of keeping daily food records.
• The first visit lasts for about two hours.

What happens after my surgery? Do I still need to go to the clinic?

Yes, follow-up visits are very important after surgery. In fact, patients who do the best job at following up generally have the results from their weight loss surgeries. For sleeve gastrectomy and roux en Y gastric bypass, the follow-up schedule is:

• 1 week*
• 1 month*
• 3 months
• 6 months
• 12 months*
• 18 months
• 24 months
• Annually*

*with surgeon, in addition to other team members