WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY: INVESTMENT FOR FUTURE

Over the three decades, India has seen a significant rise in obesity from – being on 19th position to ranking 3rd in 2017. The survey highlights that urban population is more prone to obesity as compared to their rural counterparts. Rapid urbanization along with rising income and sedentary lifestyles have all been associated with rising levels of obesity and childhood obesity.

Morbid Obesity is a Disease:

Obesity is defined as a condition in which excessive accumulation of body fat to the extent that it may have a negative effect on the health which leads to reduced life expectancy or increase health problems.  Morbid obesity is an extension of obesity and is a label if the person is having BMI of 32.5 and 35, with co-morbidities and without co-morbidities.  The morbid obesity is now considered as a disease and hence needs treatment.

Obesity has been linked to a host of illnesses including:

• Type II diabetes mellitus
• Heart disease
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Sleep apnea
• Nash (a liver problem)
• Weight-related arthritis or joint pain
• Respiratory problem
• Reflux diseases
• Cancer
• Sex and personal life
• Infertility
• Depression and social stigma

How can Morbid Obesity be managed?

Normally a person spends a lot of money in treating the co-morbidities.

Management of Obesity includes lifestyle modification and Bariatric surgery. Lifestyle modifications include the physical activities and dietary changes. Increase physical activities and improve food habits helps in weight loss. Bariatric surgery is the most effective treatment for the morbidly obese person. It helps in reducing the weight as well as the comorbidities.

It is a surgical intervention done by laparoscopy\keyhole in which weight loss is achieved either by restrictive procedures (Gastric Sleeve or Gastric banding) or by mal-absorption procedures (Roux-en-y gastric bypass or Mini gastric bypass. The results of bariatric surgery are very impressive as the weight loss is gradual and either reduce or eliminate comorbidities, thereby reducing the expenses in the treatment of its comorbidities and improving the quality of life.