Saturday, June 29, 2013

Bariatric surgery is a measure of last resort


Bariatric surgery

Obesity is considered one of the major health issues due to associated co-morbidities such as diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, joint pain, back pain, infertility and many psychological and emotional disturbances.


The first step in overcoming obesity, should be diet under professional guidance accompanied by exercise. But when these measures fail, bariatric or obesity surgery is the answer.

“Obesity epidemic is becoming more and more evident and the health costs associated with it are growing enormously sending alarming flags to health authorities world wide. According to the UAE ministry of health, 44 per cent of UAE nationals will be obese eby 2015.”

Obesity surgery evolved dramatically during the last decade and is safe in experienced hands. In Saudi Arabia, 7,000 bariatric surgery procedures were done in 2012 while 4,000 were done in 2012 in Kuwait.

There are many surgical options — adjustable gastric banding, sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass and gastric placation. All of these surgeries are laparoscopic or keyhole surgeries.

Adjustable gastric banding is a simple procedure but has a high failure rate after 5 years. The inflatable band is placed around the upper part of the stomach to create a smaller stomach pouch. This slows and limits the amount of food that can be consumed at one time,

In sleeve gastrectomy, the surgeon reduces 75 per cent of the stomach and removes it leaving a small stomach that gives the patient early satiety feeling.

Gastric placation is technically difficult but has the best long term results. The surgeon cuts through upper part of stomach to create a small pouch which takes only minimum amount of food and connects it the small bowel.

Obesity surgery requires a dedicated team of an experienced surgeon, endocrinologist, dietitian and psychologist to evaluate the patient and to decide if he is going to benefit from surgery.

Most co-morbidities like diabetes, hypertension, joint pain and sleep apnea can be cured by obesity surgery. Patients can return to social life and be more active in professional and personal environments.

Bariatric surgery is not a magic solution to a very complicated problem like obesity but it is one of the best solutions available when conservative measures fail.



source kt by Dr Hussam Al Trabulsi- Specialist Surgeon



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