Bariatric Surgery Is The Treatment Of Choice FOr Morbid Or Severe Obesity, Providing The Best Quality Of Live While Producing Sustainable, Long Term Result.
Morbid or severe obesity often leads to other medical problems like diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterol, joint disease and even cancers. It also causes social and emotional problems, together with reduced life expectancy. At G&L Surgical, obesity issues are managed withe treatments for weight loss and metabolic conditions, such as diabetes and hypertension
Patients who are deemed to be obese will go on a targeted weight management programme that combines dieting, exercise, behaviour modification and medication. This is usually effective in combating the weight problem, although most will have difficulty maintaining their weight loss over a long period.
The only treatment proven to achieve sustainable long term weight loss of up to 80% of the excess weight is surgery, says Dr Ganesh Ramalingam of G&L Surgical. Weight loss surgery is suggested for those whose obesity is a serious health threat, and whose desired weight loss cannot be achieved by other means. This is commonly done laparoscopically ( some even endoscopically ) as it is less invasive and promotes better and faster recovery.
Types Of Weight Loss Surgery
- Intragastric balloon
A new, non-surgical procedure that is totally reversible, it only takes about 15 minutes to complete. With aid from a gastroscope, a silicone balloon is inserted into the stomach while the patient is asleep. It i then inflated to induce satiety or a feeling of constant fullness. It is removed within six months, once the targeted weight loss has been achieved. - Laparoscopic adjustable gastric band
An inflatable silicone band is placed around the upper stomach to create a small pouch, making the patient feel full with a small meal. The narrow passage into the rest of the stomach slows the flow of food to let the fullness lasts for hours, achieving about 60% of excess weight loss over the long term. - Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy
Gastric stapling converts the stomach into a narrow tube to limit food intake and to decrease hunger pangs, with the area producing hunger hormones removed. This procedure can achieve p to 70% loss in excess weight in the long term. - Laparoscopic gastric bypass
A small stomach pouch is created for food to bypass the upper small intestine, inducing food restriction and malabsorption, and decreasing hormonal response. It produces the best result for those with metabolic syndrome and diabetes.
Pre And Post Surgery
Dr Ganesh explains that before any procedure is done; all patients go through a comprehensive weight loss programme and assessment by a dietician, who also investigates the stomach via gastroscopy.
After the surgery, patient will be on liquid diet for about a week before being re-introduced to puree and solid foods slowly. “We target weight loss of about 0.5 – 2kg a week – translating into a loss of around 60% of excess weight in a year.”
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