Obesity Surgery
What is overweight and obesity?
Obesity or overweight is an excessive increase in body fat percentage. Obesity can cause diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, asthma, etc., and even cancer. Obesity has long been recognized as a health and social problem. With Obesity, individual productivity is reduced and quality of life is compromised. Shockingly, body weight rates are increasing worldwide every day due to unfavourable dietary habits, lack of physical activity, sedentary lifestyles, genetic and hormonal factors, and natural and psychosocial influences. According to the Health Organization (WHO), global obesity rates have nearly tripled since 1975, and today more than 13% of the world’s adult population is obese. The good news is that obesity or overweight is a treatable and preventable problem.
What causes overweight and obesity?
There are several contributing factors to overfeeding and maintenance of weight, but root causes include an unhealthy diet with excess calories and lack of exercise.
Others may be indexed as follows:
- Health problems (such as hypothyroidism)
- Stress and emotional factors
- frequency of pregnancies and number of live births;
- Smoking and drinking
How is obesity diagnosed?
It is diagnosed by using Body Mass Index (BMI) results.
A Body Mass Index of over 25 is called overweight, and over 30 is called obese. Over 40 is called morbidly obese and over 50 is called super morbidly obese.
However, this classification should be considered a rough guide because it may not correspond to the same degree of fatness in different individuals.
How is obesity treated?
Although overlooked by most people, obesity is prevalent and contributes to many other health problems, including cancer. Employing specific strategies to address the root of the problem has been medically proven to be far more effective than trying to adapt to the disease caused by obesity. This is important. First, an individual is considered a patient after being analysed as obese. For patients who are unable to lose weight despite healthy eating habits, weight loss programs, and exercise; surgical intervention (bariatric surgery) is considered to eliminate obesity. To undergo bariatric surgery, you must be at least 18 years old and have a body mass index (BMI) of 35 or higher. Additionally, bariatric surgery is generally recommended for patients with chronic diseases other than obesity. However, like all surgeries, bariatric surgery has certain risks.
Who Can Get Bariatric Surgery?
Bariatric surgery includes major surgeries and should not be considered as an aesthetic procedure. It may not be suitable for everyone who is overweight, as there are surgeries in which serious changes are made in the stomach and upper part of the small intestine.
If individuals fail after trying to lose weight by diet and exercise, they are evaluated for bariatric surgery.
In order for patients to be suitable for surgery, they must also fulfil certain criteria. Some of these criteria are:
Be between the ages of 18-65,
Having a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 and above,
Having a BMI between 35-40 and an obesity-related health problem such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure or sleep apnea,
Failure to lose weight despite medication, diet and exercise for at least 1 year,
Not to be addicted to alcohol or drugs,
Having agreed to continue obesity treatment for a long time and to make it permanent,
Not having a chronic psychiatric illness
Which bariatric surgical operation?
Each bariatric surgical operation has unique benefits and disadvantages. The procedure to be used can be modified depending on the knowledge of the team and the patient’s condition. Depending on the patient’s precise circumstance, weight problems, and some factors (which include BMI, ingesting habits, and health issues beyond surgical procedures and all risks included in other methods), the doctor determines the most suitable approach for the patient. No matter which method is utilized, the primary aim is permanent weight reduction with the cooperation of dieticians, physicians, psychologists, and physiotherapists.
How is bariatric surgery performed?
Bariatric surgery operations are performed under general anesthesia (the patient is in full narcosis during the procedure. These operations are mostly performed using laparoscopic surgical technique. In laparoscopic surgeries, 4-6 small incisions with a length of 5-15 mm are made and the operation is performed using special tools placed from these. Since there is no incision, it is possible to return to work and social life in a relatively short time, usually one week after the operation.Compared to traditional surgical methods, less pain is felt after the operation and a better aesthetic appearance is obtained.
What happens after bariatric surgery?
After a bariatric surgery, which usually takes a few hours, the patient needs to stay in the hospital for several days, depending on the method used and the risk of complications.
To facilitate the healing process of the stomach and digestive system, the patient should not eat anything for 1-2 days.
After this period, a special diet should be applied for a few weeks. Only liquids are allowed at first, then particularly soft, pureed foods, and finally regular foods.
After the surgery, it is necessary to follow a program that includes permanent lifestyle change and regular exercise to prevent weight gain.
What are the benefits of losing weight?
Apart from improved cardiovascular health, losing weight positively affects almost all aspects of life. Even though everyone may have a different motivation for losing weight, some other surprising benefits, which are often not known, listed below can be observed;
Less stress | Balanced hormones |
More energy | Fewer headaches |
Positive attitude | Better immune system |
Higher sleep quality | Reduced joint pain |
Improved memory | Lower alcohol tolerance |
Reduced need for medications | Less sweating |
More clothing options | Clearer skin |
Easier daily tasks | Healthier hair |
Better social life | Mental clarity |
Better sex life | Fewer doctor appointments |