MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital has successfully performed its 100th bariatric surgery, a sleeve gastrectomy. The procedure was led by Dr. Ying Weatherall, with Dr. Tim Jancelewicz serving as co-surgeon. Le Bonheur began offering this procedure in 2017 and expects to perform more than 20 sleeve gastrectomies in 2026.
“Reaching our 100th sleeve gastrectomy is an exciting milestone for our team and the patients we serve. We have seen firsthand how this procedure can improve the health trajectory of children with severe obesity. We remain committed to expanding access and delivering the highest standard of care to our patients who need us,” said Dr. Ying Weatherall, Surgical Director of the Healthy Lifestyle Clinic and Adolescent Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Program at Le Bonheur.
The sleeve gastrectomy, commonly known as the gastric sleeve, is the most extensively studied pediatric bariatric procedure for long-term outcomes. It is offered through Le Bonheur’s Healthy Lifestyle Clinic, established in 2014 as part of the hospital’s Pediatric Obesity Program. In collaboration with the University of Tennessee Health Sciences, the clinic uses an interdisciplinary approach to care for children with obesity. After a comprehensive first visit, each child receives a personalized health plan designed to reduce metabolic complications and improve body composition and fitness. Patients follow up regularly to monitor progress and receive individualized support in medicine, nutrition, fitness and surgery.
