Why do we need to treat obesity?

Why do we need to treat obesity?

Indeed, obesity does nothing to help you fit into fashionable outfits and affects your appearance and confidence. However, more importantly, it may cause many chronic illnesses that affect your health and may even be fatal.

Obesity is associated with diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, ankle degeneration, sleep apnea, hyperlipidemia, as well as menstrual irregularity and hormonal disturbances in women.

Central obesity also plays a major role in causing metabolic syndrome, which significantly increases the risk of stroke, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. Compared with Caucasians, there are more cases of central obesity among Asians.

Diabetes is another prevalent disease among Asians and should not be ignored. It is associated with numerous complications, including glaucoma and heart diseases. However, most diabetic patients often ignore the problem of obesity, and do not consider obesity as a disease.

The problem is often left aside until they realize that medication and insulin injections are still unable to control their blood glucose levels. Many patients will then seek help from their GPs who refer them to specialists for laparoscopic weight loss surgeries.

Having a BMI of 25-29.9 means that patients are overweight, while those with a BMI over 30 are considered as obese. According to APMBSS’s recommendations, laparoscopic bariatric surgery is indicated for Asians with a BMI over 32 who are suffering from diabetes or obesity-related conditions such as hypertension, or those with a BMI over 37.

Various weight loss methods:

Exercise and dietary control are the basic fundamentals of weight loss. Under suitable conditions, certain patients could also take prescribed medication to reach a healthy weight. However, for those between ages 18 and 65 who cannot consistently lose weight even by taking medication, following nutritionists’ advice and doing exercise, as well as those with a BMI over 37, or those with a BMI over 32 who are suffering from diabetes or obesity-related conditions, laparoscopic bariatric surgery may be the way to go.

This includes laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding, laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, laparoscopic gastric plication and laparoscopic gastric bypass, as well as a procedure known as intragastric balloon. Patients under the age of 18 may also undergo the above surgeries with doctor’s approval.

Reference information: http://www.obesitysurgery.com.hk/english.html

The information aims to provide educational purpose only. Anyone reading it should consult Surgery Specialist before considering treatment and should not rely on the information above.