Make sure your child's anesthesiologist has experience treating obese youth and learn about the specific risks involved.Help your child lose weight before the surgery. Even a small amount of weight loss can have a good impact on your child's surgical outcome. Set reasonable short-term and long-term weight-loss goals. Consult with your pediatrician to establish a safe weight-loss program for your child, and discuss this program with your child's anesthesiologist and surgeon to ensure it won't interfere with the surgery. Encourage healthy eating both in and out of the house - before and after surgery. Encourage daily exercise before and after surgery, once approved by the surgeon, by signing your child up for team sports or after-school physical activities. Follow these steps recommended by the ASA to prepare your child for surgery.

Please visit www.LifelinetoModernMedicine for more information about pediatric obesity and how to improve your child's surgical outcomes and overall health.

SOURCE American Society of Anesthesiologists