Marijuana, E-cigarette, and Tobacco Product Use in Young Adults Who Underwent Pediatric Bariatric Surgery

Background: The postoperative course after pediatric metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) cuts across a developmental phase when substance-use behaviors emerge as significant public health concerns.

Objective: We examined use of marijuana, conventional cigarettes, and alternate tobacco products/devices (e.g., e-cigarettes, hookah, smokeless, dissolvable) in young adults (YA) to 6 years postsurgery.

Setting: Five academic medical centers.

Methods: In a prospective observational cohort series, 139 surgical (M = 16.9, M = 51.5, 80% female, 66% white) and 83 nonsurgical comparisons (M = 16.1, M = 44.9, 82% female, 54% white) completed assessments at presurgery/baseline and postsurgery years 2, 4, and 6 (year 6 [2014-2018]: surgical n = 123 [89%], M = 23.0, M = 39.8; nonsurgical n = 63 [76%], M = 22.4, M = 53.6). Lifetime and current (past 30 days) use were reported.

Results: Consistent with national YA trends (2014-2018), the most commonly used were (1) conventional cigarettes (30% surgical, 41% nonsurgical, nonsignificant [ns]); (2) marijuana (25% surgical, 27% nonsurgical, ns); and (3) e-cigarettes (12% surgical, 10% nonsurgical). A sizable minority (26% surgical, 18% nonsurgical) used one or more alternate tobacco product/device. Many YA reported persistent and/or heavy use (e.g., >50% marijuana at year 6 and year 2 or 4; ≈50% ≥.5 pack/d of cigarettes), suggesting more established (versus intermittent) health risk behaviors. For the surgical group at year 6, current tobacco product/device use was associated with lower BMI (P < .001) and greater percent weight loss (P = .002).

Conclusions: Pediatric MBS demonstrates promise in lowering risks for adult chronic disease, which may be diminished by age-typical health risk behaviors. Developmentally salient and holistic pediatric postoperative care guidelines are needed.