| What is obesity? | | | | neither opened nor stapled. The band creates an |
| Obesity is characterized by an increase in the size and | | | | hourglass shaped stomach having a small upper pouch |
| number of fat cells in the body, which leads to an | | | | with a narrow outlet. The new small upper gastric |
| excessive accumulation of body fat. On average, | | | | pouch restricts the amount of food stomach can hold |
| overweight and obese individuals have higher blood | | | | and that can be consumed at one time. So one feels |
| glucose and cholesterol values - they are also prone | | | | full and satisfied after a small meal. The narrowed |
| to developing heart diseases (including cancer), and | | | | outlet increases the time it takes for the stomach to |
| diseases of the joints as well. | | | | empty. One therefore feels full for a longer time with |
| Weight to height ratio is a simple and widely | | | | no desire to eat. |
| acceptable method, which estimates the total body | | | | Gastric Bypass (Roux-en-Y surgery) reduces the |
| mass rather than fat mass and correlates with the | | | | capacity of the stomach by creating a small stomach |
| amount of body fat. BMI of 25-30 is considered as an | | | | pouch. The procedure also constructs a tiny stomach |
| indication of overweight. Overweight is excessive | | | | outlet, which slows the speed by which food leaves |
| storage of fat in the body. Each gram of this store | | | | your stomach. So one feels full after eating a small |
| generates about 9 calories when burnt. If your food | | | | amount and will stay satisfied for a long time. |
| supplies 9 calories less than the bodies requirement | | | | On average, patients lose 65-85% percent of excess |
| you will reduce 1 gram of weight as body will burn that | | | | body weight within one year after surgery. |
| one gram fat to generate the calories for energy. | | | | Because surgery is such an effective method of |
| What is the solution for obese patients? | | | | long-term weight loss, most patients experience |
| Individuals having a Body Mass Index of 25-30 are | | | | profound improvements in their health. Many of the |
| considered obese, while individuals having a Body | | | | health problems associated with obesity (overweight) |
| Mass Index of 35 are considered morbidly obese - | | | | are resolved after weight loss surgery. |
| such individuals might suffer from various other | | | | Helping the patient reduce weight, cures him of various |
| diseases like blood pressure, diabetes, hypertension, | | | | other ailments like: |
| joint aches etc., which are all concomitants of obesity. | | | | · Type 2 Diabetes |
| Bariatric (Weight Loss) Surgery offers a new ray of | | | | · Obstructive sleep apnea |
| hope for the morbidly obese patients to enjoy a | | | | · High blood pressure |
| normal and healthy life. | | | | Other conditions that may be greatly improved after |
| The following are the candidates for weight loss | | | | surgery is GI disorders like acid reflux, joint pains, |
| surgery: | | | | swollen legs/skin ulcers, depression, menstrual |
| · Individuals who have repeatedly tried and failed | | | | irregularities and infertility. Countries like India, Singapore, |
| with dieting. | | | | Malaysia offer medical tourism service that offers |
| · Individuals with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 35 i.e. | | | | obesity/ weight-loss related surgeries at a far more |
| approximately 50kg than the ideal weight or more and | | | | affordable price than that available in the United States. |
| health-related conditions including high blood pressure, | | | | The popularity of medical tourism is on the rise since it |
| diabetes, joint disease, depression, or others. | | | | has become the preferred mode of seeking treatment |
| Bariatric (weight loss) Surgery promotes weight loss | | | | for all those patients who belong to countries where |
| through two different methods: | | | | medical procedures are both expensive and difficult to |
| Gastric Banding is a procedure in which the stomach is | | | | access. |