New Weight-loss Surgery

MYFOXNY.COM - Child and teen obesity is a serious problem and for many it’s something that needs to be addressed as soon as possible. One family went a long way to help their obese 17-year-old son lose weight and it changed his life greatly.

“I’m a good person and I felt, why is this person shunning me because I look different?”

Matthew Diaz, a towering six foot four teenager, has been extremely overweight for most of his life. He tried many different diets, but couldn’t stick with them.

“I would see him depressed, nothing was working out,” his mom said.

Out of options and concerned for his health, Matthew’s parents decided to try something radical. Seven months ago he underwent weight loss surgery,

“I started off at about 487 and now I am in the high 300’s. I want to get down to about 200 to 220. That’s my goal,,” Diaz said.

One of the procedures they do is the laproscopic gastric banding.

Doctor Marina Kurian is a Bariatric surgeon at NYU Langone Medical Center. She and other researchers are conducting a clinical trial looking at using this procedure in children 14 to 17.

The surgery is done laproscopically using a camera and very small incisions. During the procedure, an adjustable band that can be tightened and loosened when needed is placed around the upper part of the stomach creating a small pouch. The idea behind tightening the band is that the food will sit up there longer in the new smaller stomach, then trickle down.

Diaz admits that he was scared about having the surgery, but the first time he was able to say no to food, he knew he made the right decision.

Dr. Kurian says as in all surgeries there are risks. Like the band failing or moving. But she says overall, the procedure is safe. As for Matthew, he says he feels great, both physically and mentally.

>NYU PROGRAM FOR SURGICAL WEIGHT LOSS