Endoscopic Surgery for Morbid Obesity
 |
What is morbid obesity?
- Morbid obesity is a disease, which is chronic and lifelong
- Causative factor of the disease is due to excessive fat storage
What is BMI?
- BMI or Body Mass Index is a measure of calculating a person’s excess weight
- It is calculated by the following formula:
|
- The BMI of a person who is:
| |
Western |
Asian |
| Average built |
21 - 25 |
18 - 22.5 |
| Over weight |
25 - 30 |
22.5 - 27.5 |
| Obese |
30 - 40 |
27.5 - 37.5 |
| Morbidly obese |
> 40 |
> 37.5 |
| |
How does morbid obesity differ from being overweight/obese?
- Being overweight and obese are reversible conditions that can be treated by medical management whereas morbid obesity requires surgical intervention.
- The body mechanisms that control a person's weight are set in such a manner in morbidly obese patients that they gain weight easily
- These patients find it difficult to lose weight and even more difficult to sustain it
|
 |
What are the risks associated with morbid obesity?
Morbid obesity is an extreme health hazard with medical, psychological, social, physical and economic co-morbidities.
- There is increased risk of developing high blood pressure, diabetes (type2), heart disease, stroke, gallstone disease, cancer of breast, prostate and colon
- Morbidly obese persons are victims of prejudice and public ridicule due to their size. This repeated mental trauma leads to psychological illnesses such as depression
- Discrimination at work results in poor socio-economic conditions
- Morbid obesity is a treatable cause of early preventable deaths
Why should morbid obesity be treated?
- Morbid obesity is a disease like any other disease
- It has become necessary to recognize this entity as a cause of severe mental and physical morbidity which shows significant improvement following weight loss. It is more important for the patients themselves to understand this disease, its morbid implications and their inability to control it on their own.
What is bariatric surgery?
Bariatric surgery is a treatment option for patients with morbid obesity.
- Bariatric surgery for obesity helps you lose weight by altering your body’s food digestion and absorption
- There are several surgical options other than Bariatric surgery, each having their benefits and risks.
Some Bariatric Surgery For Obesity Procedures:
- Gastric Bypass
- Sleeve Gastrectomy
- Gastric Banding
The choice of procedure should be made after a thorough discussion with the best Bariatric Surgeons.
Is morbid obesity surgery for you?
You will qualify for morbid obesity surgery if:
- You are classified as 'Morbidly Obese' (BMI more than 37.5)
- Your BMI is 32.5-37.5 with severe obesity related medical conditions e.g. Diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, Arthritis etc.
- Other methods of weight loss (dietary/medicines) have been unsuccessful
- You are unable to perform routine activities/ daily chores due to the weight problem
- You have understood the surgical procedure for weight loss; the risks and after effects involved and are committed to making lifelong behavioral changes pertaining to dietary and physical activities
How does morbid obesity surgery in India change your life?
Lifestyle adjustments:
- Patient must learn to eat food in small amounts and to chew it well and slowly
- Follow-up is necessary in the first year after surgery and then as advised by your surgeon for dietary / nutritional counseling
- Weight loss starts soon after surgery and continues for 2 years
- Improvements occur in obesity related medical conditions, with almost 60% patients not requiring medication
- There is enhanced quality of life with improved stamina, mood, self-esteem and body image
- Obesity surgery is not a cosmetic surgery; in fact plastic surgery may be required following weight loss after obesity surgery.
- Obesity Surgery in India is now picking up its importance and popularity among people. More and more people are now becoming interested.
Care for the morbidly obese requires a comprehensive set-up. The management team comprises of the Bariatric Surgeon, Dietician, Endocrinologist, Physician, Cardiologist, Physiotherapist and Psychologist.
Post-operative instructions and information
- After the Bariatric Surgery/Obesity Surgery/Gastric Sleeve Bariatric Surgery, patient will be kept in the Surgical ICU overnight.
- You will be sleepy immediately after the operation due to sedation given by the bariatric surgeons during anesthesia and during the recovery period.
- You may have some discomfort when coming out of the effect of sedation. It gradually reduces to a tolerable level within a few minutes without any painkiller injections. You should try to avoid these drugs because they produce drowsiness and you may sleep for a longer period which is not desirable.
- You may feel nauseated in the immediate post-operative period. In this case you must inform the nurse so that appropriate medication may be given to prevent vomiting, as it is not desirable.
- You must try to move your limbs immediately after Bariatric Surgery/Obesity Surgery/Gastric Sleeve Bariatric Surgery. You will then be gradually mobilized during the day following surgery. Your catheter shall be removed and you will be free to use the washroom on your own.
- There is no restriction on your physical activity. You are allowed to walk as soon as you are shifted to your room. You are free to climb stairs. However you must avoid lifting heavy weight for 4-6 weeks following surgery.
- You shall be discharged once your oral intake of fluids reaches 1.5 - 2 liters per day.
- There will be a pipe attached to your abdomen which will be removed during your follow-up appointment
- Your follow-up appointment is usually 1 week after discharge from the hospital
We wish you a speedy recovery...
This is not a substitute for medical advice. In case of a query, please contact your Doctor or the Best Bariatric Surgeons.
