Introduction
Obesity means excess body weight. Obesity is a global epidemic, affecting millions of people and contributing to a host of serious health problems. The number of deaths due to obesity is 28 lakhs worldwide.1 In India around 13.5 crore people suffer from obesity.2 Excess body fat is a major cause of Diabetes-2, Fatty liver, Cirrhosis, Sleep Apnea, Heart Diseases, Cancer, Disease Related to hormonal changes such as PCOS and Infertility.
However, diet, exercise, and a healthy lifestyle are the basics for maintaining body weight. If you are not able to lose bodyweight, then Bariatric surgery is the complete scientific treatment. Bariatric surgery reduces body weight and provides complete control of all the diseases associated with obesity.
Obesity: A Root Cause of Multiple Diseases
Diabesity (Obesity and Diabetes)
India is home to 6.91 crore diabetics, the second highest after China.3 More than 90% of diabetic patients are overweight.4 Diabetes is responsible for heart disease, kidney failure, brain stroke, and retinal detachment. Bariatric surgery reduces body weight as well as diabetics and fights the associated diseases.
Testimonial 1: Type 2 Diabetes Remission
Suresh Patel (Surat)
I was suffering from diabetes for 20 years along with obesity. After all the conservative management failed, I was suggested bariatric surgery. I was hesitant in the beginning however, Dr. Sanjay Patolia gave me confidence that the surgery will lead to a healthier life. I am, glad that I opt for surgery, now I feel healthy and don’t need insulin treatment.
Non-alcoholic liver cirrhosis
It’s a modern disease due to obesity. Increasing the amount of fat in the liver leads to reduced function of liver. Bariatric surgery reduces body weight as well as fat in the liver and makes the liver healthy.
Testimonial 2: Fatty liver disease relief
Hetal Dave (Bhavnagar)
I was suffering from fatty liver, diabetes & obesity. I tried conservative management and diet modification; however, for no gain. Finally, I went for bariatric surgery, which gave me the healthy life I always hoped for.
Sleep Apnea
Shortness of breath during sleep is called sleep apnea. Treatment for sleep apnea is to lose weight or weight or use a Ventilator while sleeping. With the help of Bariatric surgery, body weight is reduced, and 85 % success is achieved in complete control of sleep apnea5 .
Testimonial 3: Resolution of sleep apnea
Jiva Khuti (Junagadh)
My weight was 190 kg. Excessive weight gain leads to sleep apnea and there was the problem of panic. After bariatric surgery, I have complete relief from the problem of sleep apnea, and I can sleep well now.
Conclusion
Bariatric surgery has given hope to many obese patients who had lost all hopes after trying conservative treatments and diet modifications. Many patients have got remission from multiple illnesses like diabetes, sleep apnea, and fatty liver after going for surgery.
Surgery can be a frightening treatment option for many patients, however, there is enough scientific evidence to show that it is one of the safest surgical procedures. Though bariatric surgery is not a vet costly procedure, recently IRDA has decided to cover Bariatric surgeries by Mediclaim, which has come as a relief for patients who were seeking financial assistance to go for the procedure.
Obesity is not merely a cosmetic concern; it is a complex medical condition that increases the risk of various diseases. Similarly bariatric surgery is not merely a cosmetic surgery, it is a scientific treatment for obesity.
Sources:
- https://www.who.int/news-room/facts-in-pictures/detail/6-facts-on-obesity
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1871402118303655
- https://www.ncbi.nim.nih.gov/pmc/article/PMC5259959
- https://spectrum.diabetesjournal.org/content/30/4/237#:~:test=IN%20BRIEF%20More%20than%2090,the%20progression%20of%diabetes%20complication
- https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/sleep-apnea/obstructive-sleep-apnea-causes
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