Private Facility to Fund Gastric Bypass

Thu Oct 14, 3:20 PM ET

HOUSTON - Two doctors and a hospital offered a free gastric bypass to a 420-pound teenager after another medical center canceled the procedure because his insurance would not pay for it.

Doctors at Obesity Surgery Specialists said 16-year-old Brandon Bennett needs the operation for a chance at a healthy life.

Brandon is often sent home from school because of high blood pressure and an elevated heart rate, and he is too big to be allowed on rides at Six Flags Astroworld.

He had been set to have the bypass at Texas Children's Hospital in Houston this month, until the insurance issue surfaced. After the Houston Chronicle reported on his health problems, the obesity center contacted his family this week.

Pending a final review of Brandon's medical records, the procedure will be performed at Houston Community Hospital, which is also donating its services, said Laurie Cantrell, bariatric program director at Obesity Surgery Specialists.

The so-called stomach-stapling surgery, which usually costs about $25,000, is considered a last resort for morbidly obese people.

Doctors create an egg-sized pouch in the upper stomach and attach it to a section of intestine, reducing how much food patients can eat. Risks of surgery include malnutrition, stomach problems, infections and, rarely, death.

Demand for gastric bypasses has soared following successful procedures by celebrities such as broadcaster Al Roker and singer Carnie Wilson.

Obesity Surgery Specialists has performed about 230 gastric bypasses in the last two years, though none were on adolescents.

Brandon's father, Michael Bennett, said he has confidence in a surgical team experienced in adult surgery because his son, who is 6-foot-2, has the physiology of a grown man.

"I can't believe this is finally going to happen," Michael Bennett said. "I didn't know people like this existed in the world."

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