A new study by researchers at LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center, FMOL Health | Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center and Metamol Institute, demonstrates that metabolic and bariatric surgery can be safely and effectively delivered to adolescents and young adults with severe obesity, showing promise for weight loss and improvements in obesity-related health outcomes.
Published in bariatric surgery“Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Outcomes in South Louisiana Adolescents and Young Adults” examined the outcomes of 76 patients ages 10 to 25 who underwent bariatric surgery between January 2020 and March 2025 through the Louisiana-based Metamor Institute Bariatric Surgery Program. Researchers are evaluating both safety outcomes and long-term health improvements, helping to expand our understanding of how surgical bariatric treatment can benefit young people.
Obesity among adolescents and young adults continues to increase nationwide, increasing the risk of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, fatty liver disease, sleep apnea, and cardiovascular disease. Bariatric surgery is becoming increasingly recognized as a treatment option, but longer-term data in younger and more socio-economically diverse populations remain of great importance.
Our findings suggest that metabolic and bariatric surgery can be performed safely and effectively in young patients when performed through a comprehensive, multidisciplinary care model. This study reflects the importance of carefully selecting patients, applying the most appropriate treatment, and surrounding patients with tailored clinical support to achieve the best possible outcome. ”
Dr. Philip Schauer, United Companies Life Insurance Company/Mary Kay, Pennington Biomedical Chairman and Director of the Metamol Institute Terrell Brown
Key findings of the study include:
- Patients achieved an average total weight loss of 29-32%, which was maintained for 1-5 years.
- Among patients available for follow-up, 94% experienced remission of type 2 diabetes, 67% showed improvement in hypertension and dyslipidemia, and 64% experienced improvement in gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
- Surgical complications remained low, with only 5% experiencing complications within 30 days.
Importantly, the study population represents a wide range of patients in Louisiana, nearly 75 percent of whom are covered by Medicaid insurance, highlighting the need to ensure access to advanced obesity treatment options regardless of socioeconomic background.
“The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that adolescents age 13 and older who are severely obese (BMI greater than 35 and have at least one major comorbidity) undergo metabolic and bariatric surgery evaluation to move from ‘watchful waiting’ to earlier, more intensive treatment,” said Katie Queen, M.D., of Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital. “The AAP also recommends that these procedures be performed by experienced bariatric surgeons and be combined with comprehensive nutritional support and behavioral therapy.”
The researchers note that successful results were likely driven by a collaborative care model that brings together cutting-edge expertise in obesity research, clinical medicine, and bariatric surgery, established through a collaboration between Pennington Biomedical, Our Lady of the Lake, and the Metamor Institute.
“Severe obesity is a complex chronic disease that often begins early in life and can quickly lead to serious long-term health complications,” said Dr. Vance Albaugh, assistant professor of metabolic surgery at Pennington Biomedical. “These findings provide encouraging evidence that, with the appropriate multidisciplinary approach, surgery can play an important role in improving health outcomes for young patients, while also reinforcing the need for continued research to better guide care decisions for this population.”
The results of this study support the importance of interdisciplinary, evidence-based obesity care. To help healthcare professionals stay current on evolving clinical guidance, Pennington Biomedical’s Greaux Healthy Provider Hub offers a comprehensive library of continuing education opportunities, practical clinical toolkits, and resources focused on obesity prevention and treatment for patients across the lifespan, including adolescents and young adults.
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Pennington Biomedical Research Center
Reference magazines:
Haniper, Z. others. (2026). Metabolic and bariatric surgery outcomes in adolescents and young adults in south Louisiana. bariatric surgery. DOI: 10.1007/s11695-026-08709-y. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11695-026-08709-y
