Table 1.

Patient selection criteria.

Inclusion Criteria	Exclusion Criteria
– 14–18 yrs old at time of enrollment	– History of prior bariatric surgery or intent to have additional bariatric surgery in the next year
– BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2  or ≥ 35 kg/m2 and at least 1 comorbidity	– History of GI tract anomalies, severe cardiopulmonary disease, coagulopathy, hepatic insufficiency or cirrhosis
– Obesity for at least 5 yrs with documented attempts at diet and medical management	– History of gastric or esophageal surgery
– Bone age at least 13.5 (F) and 14.5 (M)	– History of chronic aspirin and/or NSAID use
– Emotional maturity	– Pregnancy or intent to become pregnant in the next year
– Use of appropriate contraception (F)	– Eating disorders with self-induced vomiting
– Understanding and willingness to comply with protocol	– Inability to understand the intervention and followup

(F): female; (M): male; NSAID: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug.