Specialized surgical expertise to better treat severe obesity in adolescents

The Montreal Children’s Hospital (MCH) now offers bariatric surgery for adolescents living with severe obesity, a new area of expertise that complements the care provided through its Centre of Excellence in Adolescent Severe Obesity.

This advancement is made possible by the expertise of Dr. Étienne St-Louis, a pediatric surgeon at the MCH whose specialized training in pediatric bariatric surgery is unique in Canada.

Since May 2026, eligible adolescents have been able to undergo bariatric surgery directly at the MCH, with care provided by a team experienced in addressing the specific needs of young people, from their initial assessment through surgery and follow-up.

One option within a broader approach to care

For Dr. St-Louis and his colleagues, surgery is not a stand-alone solution. It is one component of a much broader care pathway for adolescents living with severe obesity.

Before surgery is considered, each young person undergoes a comprehensive assessment over several months. The team considers the adolescent’s overall health, individual needs and personal and family circumstances to determine the most appropriate approach. A range of healthcare professionals are involved in supporting patients and their families before and after a potential procedure.

This comprehensive approach is particularly important because severe obesity during adolescence can have significant effects on health and may be associated with a number of chronic conditions.

Specialized care designed for adolescents

Until recently, young people who could benefit from this type of intervention had few surgical options specifically designed for adolescents in Quebec. Bringing this expertise to the MCH means that the pediatric, medical and surgical expertise required to care for these patients can now be brought together in one setting.

For some adolescents, surgery can be considered as part of their treatment plan when other approaches have not produced the desired results.

By adding this surgical expertise to its Centre of Excellence, the MCH is expanding the range of care available to adolescents living with severe obesity and providing more options tailored to each young person’s health, circumstances and needs.