Obesity surgery
Obesity is now well recognized as an increasing medical problem in most developed countries. It is generally caused by an excessive intake of calories in the form of an unhealthy and high fat diet together with an increasingly sedentary lifestyle with little or no physical exercise.
Along with this increased weight there has also been an increasing trend to try different diets which either do not work or are started only half heartedly. Failure is therefore common. However, the mainstay of treatment for being overweight is usually decreased intake of calories, an increase in physical activity followed by maintenance of a healthier lifestyle. For those who have tried and failed to lose weight in this way and for those who are either grossly overweight or who have specific health risks associated with their weight, surgery for obesity can be an option.
Obesity surgery can also be known as Bariatric Surgery, Lap Banding, Gastric Banding or Gastric Bypass Surgery. The exact type of procedure patients have depends on the general health of the patient, the extent of their obesity and on the surgical expertise available. Of course, for a surgical option to be considered, patients must be fit enough for anesthesia.
DESCRIPTION OF OBESITY SURGERY
Obesity can be gauged in several ways. However, commonly it is defined in terms of a patent`s Body Mass Index ("BMI"). An individual`s BMI can be obtained by measuring their weight in kilograms nad dividing this by their height in meters squared (i.e. BMI = Kg/m2).In this way obesity can be gauged as follows:
BMI < 18.5 - undeweight
BMI 18.5 - 25 normal
BMI 25 - 30 - overweight
BMI 30 - 40 - obese
BMI 40 - 50 morbidly obese
BMI >50 - super obese
Although morbid obesity is defined by the above table as BMI greater than 40, individuals with a BMI of 35 and over and who have a known medical condition which increases their risks are considered and treated as morbidly obese.
Conditions associated with obesity and which are known to cause increasing morbidity and mortality include the following:
- cardiovascular disease such as angina, heart attacks and strokes;
- high blood pressure;
- type 2 diabetes;
- cancer e.g. colon, breast, kidney;
- musculo-skeletal conditions e.g. arthritis;
- breathing problems;
- reduced fertility e.g. polycistic ovarian syndrome;
- urinary stress incontinence;
- gastro-oesophageal reflux disease ("GORD");
- gall bladder disease eg gallstones;
- sleep apneoa;
- complications of pregnancy and delivery;
- psychological conditions such as low self esteem and depression.
Obesity is therefore linked with premature death for both men and women. It is also associated with a decreased quality of life and a social stigma which may manifest itself with prejudice and discrimination and which has a negative influence on mobility, productiveness and employment.
Surgery is therefore a realistic and viable treatment for individuals who are deemed to be suitable. These individuals should fulfill most or all of the following criteria:
- Age range from 18-60 years (although most will be considered on a case by case basis),
- BMI>40 or BMI>35 with co-morbidity (an extra medical risk factor)
- Motivated to lose weight
- Previous, serious attempts to lose weight
- Low operative risk
- Accepts the risks of surgery
- Understands the role of surgery and its limitations
- Understands the need for follow up by their doctors on returning home.
Although diet and exercise are effective in achieving weight loss in those that are highly motivated, research has shown that the majority of patients who are morbidly obese are unable to maintain long term weight reduction without other measures. There are two main surgical options:
1. Laparoscopic Gastric Banding ("Lap Band").
This relatively straightforward operation, done using a keyhole technique is designed to reduce the capacity of the stomach thereby reducing the amount that can be eaten at any one time. This is done by inserting an adjustable band around the stomach which limits the quantity of food that can pass into the main body of the stomach. The more inflated the band the more readily a feeling of fullness and satisfaction is felt. Gastric bands are usually inserted on a permanent basis and are most suitable for patients who are at the lighter end of the obesity scale. Most patients need only spend 1 or 2 days in hospital as there are no actual incisions made either in the stomach or the intestines.
2. Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass
This procedure which is also done by keyhole surgery is designed to reduce the amount of food that can be digested in addition to limiting the quantity of food that can be eaten. Generally, weight loss achieved using gastric bypass surgery is superior to banding alone and the effects are thought to last longer. This procedure is therefore used in heavier patients, those who crave for sweets and for those who desire to achieve a weight as near to normal as possible. However, the procedure is more complex than banding.
MEDICAL FACTS
As with all types of surgical procedures there is a small risk of 6-7% of major complications. There is also a very small risk of mortality ranging from less than 0.5% for gastric banding to less than 1% for gastric bypass.What to do next:
We specialize in providing medical care and surgery. We only work with medical institutions that we have inspected and checked. We offer Obesity surgery as well as facilitation on all the other elements in your journey such as flights, accommodation and activities. Our team in is your personal agent while you are in country and is tasked with supporting you in any way you need. We have teams who manage your stay and provide you with support whenever you need it. Please contact us to find out how we can help you. Contact us even if you are at the early stages of considering the possibility of treatment abroad.
WHY TRAVEL FOR OBESITY SURGERY
Traveling abroad for Obesity surgery can give you access to top quality health care quickly and cheaply. Our mission is to make your journey absolutely successful - in terms of treatment, in terms of outcomes and in terms of experience.MAKE AN ENQUIRY FOR OBESITY SURGERY
Please feel free to post an enquiry to us if you are interested in having more details of how this all works and how we might be able to help you. Your information is treated as strictly confidential by us. We ask that you fill in the fields with the red stripes if possible. You can also contact us directly with details from our contact us page. If you want to speed up the process or have a complex history that is specifically relevant to any further steps: please use our detailed medical history form which includes a range of questions to capture details of your medical history and present condition. Please note that we share these details anonymously with clinical specialists for the purposes of considering your case and advising on a treatment plan. This means that we do not pass on your name or address details until you choose to proceed further with us.