Is It Right for you

Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery (Obesity 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. 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. 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.

Weight Loss Surgery

  • Obesity and Morbid Obesity.
  • OBESE Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or greater.
  • (BMI = kg/m 2 ).
  • MORBIDLY OBESE Body Mass Index (BMI) of 35 or greater (Rough equivalent to 30 kg. over your ideal body weight).

Obesity related health conditions that may be improved or resolved with weight loss surgery

  • Type II Diabetes (Total remission if duration less than 5 years).
  • High Blood pressure / heart disease.
  • Osteoarthritis of weight bearing joints.
  • Sleep apnea / respiratory problems.
  • Gastro esophageal reflux / Heartburn.
  • Depression.
  • Skin breakdown.
  • Swollen legs / skin ulcers.
  • Urinary stress incontinence.
  • Extremity Venous stasis.
  • Dyslipidemia (lipid metabolism abnormalities).
  • Pulmonary embolus.

Understanding the Gastrointestinal Tract

  • The Esophagus.
  • The Stomach.
  • The Pylorus.
  • The Duodenum.
  • The Jejunum.
  • The Ileum.
  • The Large Intestine.