Weight loss surgery is surgery on the stomach that results in your child losing weight. It’s also called metabolic bariatric surgery and one option for this is a sleeve gastrectomy or gastric sleeve surgery.

At Children’s Wisconsin, we have an accredited Adolescent Metabolic Bariatric Surgery Program in collaboration with Froedert & The Medical College of Wisconsin. The most common surgery we perform is type of weight loss surgery called laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. This procedure reduces the size of your child’s stomach, so they feel full sooner and eat less. It’s done using small tools and a camera through tiny incisions, which helps your child recover faster.

Who Gets Weight Loss Surgery?

Weight loss surgery is not for everyone. Your child may be a good candidate if they:

• Are at least 13 years old and fully physically mature
• Have tried to lose weight through a structured program for at least three to six months
• Have a body mass index (BMI) over 35 with obesity-related health problems (like diabetes or sleep apnea)
• Have a BMI over 40 with or without other health issues
• Are ready to commit to big, long-term changes in diet and lifestyle

We only recommend surgery when we believe it will help your child more than it could harm. 

If you're thinking about weight loss surgery for your child, it’s normal to have questions. Our team will guide you through every step, from deciding if surgery is right to helping your child stay healthy after the procedure. Below are answers to some common questions families ask.

Will surgery make my child healthier?

Many health problems linked to obesity — like diabetes, high blood pressure, or sleep apnea — get better or go away in the first year after surgery. Surgery helps your child lose excess weight, which can improve energy, mobility and confidence.

Will my child still need to change their habits?

Yes. Surgery is just one part of the process. Your child will need to make long-term changes in how they eat, move, sleep, and manage stress. We’ll help your family build these healthy habits before and after surgery.

How much weight will my child lose?

The weight your child will lose depends on many factors. Our team will work with you to develop weight loss expectations based on your child's unique medical situation.

What are the risks of weight loss surgery?

All surgeries have risks. One rare but serious risk is a leak where the incision is in the stomach. This happens in about one out of 100 cases and may need another surgery to fix. Blood clots are another risk, but we take steps to prevent them. Your child must be ready to follow a plan before and after surgery to stay safe and get the best results.

At Children’s Wisconsin, we take a team-based approach to weight loss surgery. We don’t just focus on the procedure — we support your child and your family every step of the way. It includes experts who know how obesity affects the whole child, not just their weight. Please note that our program is just for teens.

From the first visit through long-term follow-up, we’ll work with you. Together we’ll build healthy habits, address emotional needs, and make sure surgery is the right step. Our team brings together specialists from many areas to provide safe, personalized care.

Your care team may include:

• Bariatric surgeons
• Pediatric gastroenterologist
• Nurse practitioners
• Dietitians
• Psychologists
• Other pediatric specialists if needed

Before Surgery

If your child may benefit from surgery, we’ll start with a full evaluation.

This includes:

• Meeting with pediatric weight loss experts
• Reviewing your child’s weight loss history and health conditions
• Addressing emotional and behavioral health needs
• Working with you to create a personalized care plan

Your child will need to follow a medical weight loss plan for several months before we can schedule surgery. This helps us make sure surgery is the right choice and helps your child prepare for success.

During Surgery

Your child will go under general anesthesia for their weight loss surgery. We make a few small cuts in the belly and use special tools to remove part of the stomach. Your child will stay in the hospital for typically one to two days after surgery so we can monitor recovery and manage pain. Most teens feel better quickly and are back to normal activities within a few weeks. The surgeries are performed at Froedert Hospital.

After surgery, your child will follow a new eating plan and start making healthy lifestyle changes right away. Our team will work closely with your family to help your child:

• Adjust to smaller meals
• Get enough nutrients
• Manage emotions and stress
• Build healthy habits that last

Most obesity-related health problems improve or go away within the first year. These may include high blood pressure, sleep apnea and type 2 diabetes. Teens who have this surgery usually lose a large amount of excess weight and keep it off over time.

Nationally ranked: U.S. News & World Report consistently ranks our GI Program as among the nation’s best. We provide the best possible care for GI symptoms in kids. Our team of experts can help you and your family manage health issues that affect digestion.

Expert partnership: Our weight loss surgery program is a collaboration with the Froedtert Bariatric Program and Tammy Kindel, MD , a nationally recognized bariatric surgeon.

Support for healthy habits: We offer two expert-led programs to help your child build lasting lifestyle changes. The Lifestyle Medicine Collaborative Clinic and the NEW Kid Program focus on nutrition, exercise, sleep, and emotional well-being.

Focus on kids: We know that kids need different care than adults. Our team at Children’s Wisconsin has expertise in managing diverse GI issues in infants, kids and teens. We take a whole-child approach to care. We’re always thinking about your child’s growth, physical and emotional development and age-related social issues.

Education and emotional support: We support your family at every stage of care. We teach you about your child’s digestive issues and explain what to expect. Our care team works with you and your family to manage the physical and emotional impacts of GI disease.