There are many ways you can do to overcome obesity, from doing regular exercise, paying attention to your diet, to performing surgery. In medical science, there are surgical steps to overcome the problem of obesity and lose weight until it is ideal, namely through Bariatric Surgery. Through bariatric surgery, patients can lose weight until they are ideal and avoid the risk of disease complications due to obesity.
Understanding the dangers of obesity
The problem of obesity or overweight should not be taken lightly. Because obesity can increase the risk of health problems from head to toe. Among them are migraine headaches, asthma, risk of heart attack, hypertension, stomach acid and increased cholesterol, fatty liver, diabetes, impaired fertility, arthritis, and gout.
A number of studies have stated that in those who are obese, their quality of life decreases because they tire easily and cannot move like normal people in general. In addition, the problem of obesity also causes shorter life expectancy due to the risk of diseases that arise from obesity.
Rather than having to take drugs to treat each disease that arises due to obesity, it is better to address the root of the problem, namely eliminating obesity and losing weight to an ideal state by undergoing bariatric surgery.
The solution to overcome obesity with Bariatric Surgery
Dr. Handy Wing explained that bariatric surgery or Bariatric Surgery is a medical procedure to overcome the problem of obesity which has caused complications and health problems.
"The goal of this bariatric surgery is to treat obesity by reducing food intake through techniques to change the anatomy of the stomach. Batriatric surgery methods include sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass," said dr. Handy Wing when talking with liputan6.com on Thursday (15/4).
In the sleeve gastrectomy method, dr. Handy explained that about 75 percent of the stomach would be removed, leaving only 25 percent.
"So that previously it could accommodate 1-2 plates of food, after undergoing surgery it can only accommodate approximately 5 tablespoons. With reduced food intake, it is hoped that the weight can go down," he explained.
Meanwhile, in the gastric bypass method, only 10 percent of the stomach is left and separated from the large stomach. From the stomach, which is 10 percent, it will bypass directly into the small intestine, which was previously cut shorter.
"So that the absorption of food no longer passes through the large stomach and long small intestine. So it's like a toll road is made," said dr. Handy.
Who is advised to undergo Bariatric Surgery?
Bariatric surgery is aimed at people who are severely obese, who are over 30-40 kg overweight from their ideal body weight. To find out whether or not your ideal body weight can use the Body Mass Index (BMI) formula.
BMI compares your weight to your height, calculated by dividing your weight in kilograms by your height in meters squared. It's easier to find out your BMI with the BMI Calculator app. Enter your height and weight, after that the BMI number will appear automatically. If the BMI is below 25, it is considered normal, if it is above 30, a person is said to be suffering from obesity.
In addition to a high BMI, those who are advised for bariatric surgery are patients who experience a number of diseases impacted by obesity. As mentioned earlier, ranging from impaired heart and lung function, shortness of breath to metabolic syndromes such as diabetes.
Furthermore, for those who always fail to implement a diet program and continue to exercise but do not lose weight, bariatric surgery is the best solution before experiencing a number of health problems and dangerous diseases.
"Patients who experience the problem of being overweight, experience complications, are not successful with diet and exercise methods that are not effective for losing weight, bariatric surgery is the last solution," said dr. Handy.
In terms of the age of someone suffering from obesity should undergo bariatric surgery, dr. Handy Wing said that usually obese patients who have gone through a period of growth.
"There is almost no age limit, usually patients who have passed their growth period. The age is between 18-65 years. As long as the patient is fit and can undergo anesthesia and surgery," said dr. Handy Wing who added that before surgery, the doctor will first assess the patient's lung and heart function.
Bariatric Surgery Using Laparoscopic Technique
Bariatric surgery is classified as a safe procedure because it uses a minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery technique. Not surgery with an open incision, but using small wounds of 4 points. Using a small special tool with the help of a camera and monitor.
The cut parts of the stomach are then glued together by means of a stapler with a safe titanium material so that the stomach remains tight and free from bleeding or leaks.
"The possibility of complications is smaller, there is also less bleeding, recovery can be faster and the scar is only 1-1.5 cm in size as many as 4 points. However, surgery is not without risks, but with advances in technology in the medical field, complications and risks can be minimized. ," said dr. Handy.
Post Bariatric Surgery
Dr. Handy Wing said that the stomach that was cut took about 1-2 weeks to heal and was perfectly sealed. So that after surgery within this period, the patient is not allowed to eat solid food. Consumption of food needs to be gradual starting from the liquid first.
"With the stomach which is then small in size and the capacity to eat is only about 5 spoons of vitamins, less minerals will enter the body. In order not to be at risk of vitamin and mineral deficiencies, after surgery with the sleeve gastrectomy method, in particular, multivitamin intake is needed for 6-12 months. Because a lack of vitamins can cause various diseases, said Dr. Handy.
In general, the impact of the sleeve gastrectomy method is better than the gastric bypass method, because obese patients accompanied by diabetes, for example after undergoing gastric bypass, must take multivitamins for the rest of their lives so they are not at risk of vitamin and mineral deficiencies. This is the effect of the absorption of vitamins and minerals from food that is consumed very little.
"If previously the patient regularly injected insulin or took diabetes medication, then in patients who underwent gastric bypass surgery, about half could be free from diabetes medication. Then for the other half, the dose was reduced. For example, before having to inject insulin, now it can only be just take the medicine. If previously you needed a lot of medicine, it could be just one drug," he explained.
Gradual Weight Loss
This bariatric surgery is not something like magic or magic that makes obese patients the next day immediately thin or lose weight. After surgery, the patient's commitment and seriousness is needed to adopt a healthy lifestyle. Even though the stomach is already small in size, the patient must also be diligent in maintaining food consumption.
Avoid foods that are high in calories and contain lots of sugar. Even though the stomach is small, if someone likes high-calorie soft drinks and modern drinks it will make the goal of limiting the calories that enter the body not optimal and can interfere with efforts to lose the expected weight.
In addition to reducing high-calorie food intake, also maintain an active lifestyle. It is recommended to exercise, for example 3-5 a week, for 30 minutes -1 hour. It is expected that within 6 months - 1 year, patients can return to their ideal body weight.
Bariatric surgery is indeed able to overcome the problem of obesity, but the importance of maintaining an ideal body weight must also be understood so that the body is free from other health problems.
Article written by dr. Handy Wing, Sp.B-KBD, FBMS, FINACS, FICS (Digestive Surgeon Specialist - Minimally Invasive Surgery at EMC Alam Sutera Hospital).
For further information and registration, contact: 0 811 1225 277 (Andy EMC Alam Sutera).