Weight-Loss Surgery (Bariatric Surgery) Program

At Children’s National Hospital, our Bariatric Surgery Program performs weight-loss procedures for children and adolescents and provides a range of support services to help your family achieve a healthier lifestyle.

Childhood obesity is a complex condition that dramatically increases the risk of other serious health problems, such as diabetes, disability, heart disease and mental health issues. If your child has tried different weight-loss methods without success, bariatric (weight-loss) surgery is a procedure that can help adolescents achieve better health when combined with lifestyle changes.

Choosing Children's National for Bariatric Surgery

We know that weight-loss surgery is not a decision you and your child are making lightly. Together with your family, Children's National helps to create a strong support system to help patients adjust to their new bodies and lifestyle changes. Highlights of our program include:

• Dedicated multidisciplinary team. Children’s National is one of the few centers in the country dedicated to pediatric bariatric surgery. Our surgeons are board-certified in both general surgery and pediatric surgery. Additionally, our team includes a wide range of pediatric specialists who understand that children are not simply “mini-adults.” We work with each other and with your family to provide the best outcome possible. Meet our team.
• Quality care. We are accredited by the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP®). This designation makes Children’s National one of the first children’s hospitals to receive such accreditation, and the only hospital in the area to be accredited to perform safe, high quality bariatric surgery on adolescents. Learn more.
• Level 1 Surgery Verification. We have attained Level 1 Surgery Verification from the American College of Surgeons, a distinction that recognizes surgery centers that have improved surgical quality, prevented complications, reduced costs and saved lives.
• Personalized care. Your child may have their own questions about the procedure and their post-surgery bodies. Our team includes child psychologists who can talk to your child and address any questions or concerns he or she may have. In addition, we will develop a personalized lifestyle and follow-up plan for your child to adhere to after the surgery.
• Family focused. We strongly emphasize family education, and we encourage family members to be active participants in the health care team.

Understanding Bariatric Surgery

At Children’s National, we are dedicated to providing children and adolescents with a safe, effective surgery and successful outcome. After a year, our patients lose an average of 70-100 pounds (sometimes more). In addition to maintaining a healthy weight, bariatric surgery reduces the risk of developing other diseases.

If you are considering weight-loss surgery for your child or teenager, we recommend that you talk to one of our pediatric surgical specialists. We also recommend you do the procedure earlier rather than later since children will continue to gain weight as they grow, lessening the benefits of the surgery. 

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Contact Information

For more information about the Bariatric Surgery Program, please call 202-476-2151.