Bariatric Surgery
Here for Every Step of the Journey to a Healthy Weight
Bariatric Surgery
The bariatric surgery program at Nationwide Children's was the first free-standing adolescent bariatric surgery center in the U.S. to be accredited by the American College of Surgeons Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP). This recognition certifies that the highest standards of quality and safety are being met at our center, and our staff and facilities are 100% equipped to meet the needs of our bariatric patients.
Nationwide Children's is also one of only five institutions nationally to join a multi-institution clinical research study to understand the benefits and risks of bariatric surgery in adolescents.
The Bariatric Surgery Program has achieved MBSAQIP accreditation.
About the Bariatric Surgery Program
Nationwide Children’s Hospital is one of America’s largest health care and research centers focusing on children and teens. We care for more than one million patient visits each year. Families travel from around the country and even the world for our care. Our doctors and researchers work to advance children’s health care.
Our Center for Healthy Weight and Nutrition involves prevention, teaching, research, medical and bariatric weight management. We offer two bariatric surgery options for teens. These include gastric bypass and gastric sleeve.
Nationwide Children’s is also one of only five hospitals in the country taking part in a research study to better understand the benefits and risks of bariatric surgery in teens.
Who Qualifies for Weight Loss Surgery?
We understand that weight loss surgery is not for all overweight people. It offers an option for people who have not been able to maintain weight loss and control their health through dieting alone. To qualify for weight loss surgery, patients must:
- Be at least 100 pounds over their ideal body weight (BMI greater than 40 kg/M2 or BMI greater than 35 kg/M2 with medical problems)
- Complete the work up for bariatric surgery, including our online information session.
- Be recommended for bariatric surgery by our bariatric team
Transition of Care
We work closely with our patients and their family to smoothly transition to a bariatric center focused on adult patients when and if it becomes necessary. Nationwide Children's Hospital is a major pediatric affiliate of The Wexner Medical Center at The Ohio State University, College of Medicine.
Meet Our Leadership
Marc P. Michalsky
Marc P. Michalsky, MD, is Professor of Clinical Surgery and Pediatrics at The Ohio State University College of Medicine and serves as Surgical Director for the Center for Healthy Weight and Nutrition at Nationwide Children's Hospital.
What Options are Available?
At Nationwide Children’s, we offer two types of bariatric surgery: Gastric Bypass Surgery and Gastric Sleeve Surgery. Both of these surgeries cause restriction in the amount of food that can be eaten at one time, so patients feel full faster. The weight loss for any surgery depends on how well patients follow the recommended nutrition and exercise program.
Gastric Sleeve Surgery (Sleeve Gastrectomy)
After gastric sleeve surgery, food will travel down your throat and enter the tube-like sleeve created by removing 80% of your stomach and stapling closed the rest of the stomach.
Gastric Bypass Surgery
With gastric bypass surgery, a small pouch is created by stapling closed the top portion of the stomach, separating it from the lower portion.
Chloe's Bariatric Surgery Journey
Chloe's Story: Before Surgery
The bariatric surgery journey is a long one. In chapter 1 of this three-part series, learn a little about Chloe - who she is, what motivated her to make this decision that will ultimately change her life, and how she and her care team prepared for months leading up to surgery day.
Chloe's Story: Surgery Day
It's surgery day for Chloe in chapter 2 of this three-part series. After months of preparation involving both lifestyle changes and self-reflection, Chloe is ready for surgery. Dr. Michalsky will perform a robot-assisted gastric sleeve procedure. Watch at Chloe heads into the OR and hear what she has to say about her recovery.
Chloe's Story: After Surgery
Surgery is over and now Chloe begins the road to recovery in the last chapter of our three-part series. Aside from healing physically, it is important that she stick to the lifestyle changes and habits that her and her care team worked so hard to develop before surgery.
Chloe's Story: One Year Later
Catch up with Chloe as she returns to Nationwide Children's for her one-year checkup after surgery. Maintaining the healthy eating habits she learned before her gastric sleeve surgery hasn't always been easy, but it has helped her lose more than 100 pounds and live a happier, healthier life.
