LAPAROSCOPIC APPROACH TO WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY (BARIATRIC SURGERY)
Obesity today is recognized as a health problem of epidemic proportions. Obesity refers to a spectrum of problems of excess weight ranging from mild overweight to the morbidly obese. Patients with morbid obesity do not respond to medical means of weight loss. Efforts to treat morbid obesity through controlled diets, behavior modification and exercise programs are only temporarily successful with the patient invariably regaining even more weight than the amount lost. Obesity surgery is the only method by which long-term weight loss can be achieved in these patients. Seven to nine percent (20-25%) people in India are overweight, of which 7-9% are morbidly obese which amounts to a staggering 2 - 2.5 million people. Incidence of child hood obesity is on the rise due to changing lifestyles. These people are more likely to develop obesity related complications at an earlier age. If not addressed today this problem is likely to compound imposing heavily on medical resources.
Obesity leads to Hypertension, Diabetes, Heart Ailments, joint problems and Obstructive Sleep Apnea. They are all responsible for reduced life expectancy and impaired quality of life. Obesity is estimated to be the number two killer disease of the 21st century. Interaction between biological, behavioral and environmental factors leads to Obesity. Weight management for an obese individual is a complex issue that requires various levels of education, behavioral modification and surgical intervention.
Surgical procedures for obesity can now be safely performed by laparoscopic approach. Patients suffering from morbid obesity stand to benefit tremendously by laparoscopic surgery thus decreasing the hospital stay, minimizing pain and an early return to activity. Laparoscopic Sleeve has emerged as a highly popular and successful surgery for morbid obesity. The patient feels full after just few bites of food thus decreasing the intake and resulting in the weight loss. The procedure is safe and simple. It can be done as a short stay procedure (hospitalization for 24 to 48 hours). It is a very patient friendly procedure with tiny cuts on the abdominal wall hence an excellent cosmetic result (only few tiny puncture marks), very little pain and patient can resume his or her work within few days after surgery.
The primary benefit of weight loss surgery is easy to understand: Weight Loss!
AFTER WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY
Weight loss surgery should be the beginning of a new and healthy lifestyle. To make the most of the surgery and to maximize results, people need to:
BREAK THE BINGE HABIT
Nearly all severely obese people have unhealthy eating habits. A common problem is "binge eating." After weight loss surgery, eating large amounts of food at one sitting can make you sick. For many people, learning to eat small, frequent meals is a challenge.
EAT HEALTHY AND TAKE VITAMINS
Eating junk food or neglecting to take vitamin supplements can cause serious malnutrition after weight loss surgery. This can cause bone disease, loss of muscle tone, and low blood counts (anemia).
EXERCISE
Keeping weight off is far easier when a person is active and exercises. In addition, exercise reduces rates of many diseases, including cancer and heart disease. To maintain weight loss in the long term, exercise is essential. Such profound changes in lifestyle don't happen automatically or easily for most. Many weight loss surgery centers offer behavioral counseling programs to help people make the transition into their new and healthy lifestyle after surgery.