| Frequently Asked Questions |
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| What is morbid
obesity? |
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- Morbid Obesity is a disease, which
is chronic and lifelong
- The disease is of excessive fat
storage
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- BMI or Body Mass Index is a
measure of calculating a person's excess weight.
- It is calculated by the following
formula:
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| The BMI of a
person who is: |
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| How does obesity differ from being
overweight? |
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- A person may appear fat, but may
not be clinically obese. An overweight person has a
BMI of 25-30. An obese person is one whose BMI exceeds
30.
- The body mechanisms of obese
persons controlling their weight are biologically set
in such a manner that the patients gain weight easily
- Even small amounts of weight loss
are difficult to achieve and very difficult to sustain
in patients of clinical obesity
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| What are the risks associated with
morbid obesity? |
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- Morbid Obesity is an extreme
health hazard with medical, psychological, social,
physical and economic comorbidities
- There is increased risk of
developing high blood pressure, diabetes (type 2),
heart disease, stroke, gallstone disease and cancer of
breast, prostate and colon. In fact there are 30
medical conditions which are directly related to
obesity
- Morbidly Obese persons are victims
of prejudice and public ridicule due to their size.
This repeated mental trauma results in psychological
illness such as depression
- Discrimination at work and
employment results in poor socioeconomic conditions
- Morbid Obesity is a significant
cause of preventable early deaths
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| Why should morbid obesity be
treated? |
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- Morbid Obesity is a disease like
any other disease
- It has become necessary to
recognize this entity as a cause of severe mental and
physical morbidities which show significant
improvement following weight loss
- It is even more important for the
patients themselves to understand this disease, its
morbid implications and their inability to control it
on their own
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| What is bariatric
surgery? |
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- Bariatric surgery is a treatment
option for some patients with morbid obesity
- This surgery helps you loose
weight by altering your body's food digestion and
absorption
- There are several surgical
options, each having their benefits and risks (Fig.)
- The choice of procedure should be
decided after a thorough discussion with your surgeon
- Bariatric surgery is now being
performed laparoscopically which is highly beneficial
for these patients as it minimizes trauma of surgical
access
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| Is morbid obesity surgery for
you? |
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- You will qualify for morbid obesity surgery if:
- You have morbid obesity BMI more than 35 kg/m2
- Your BMI is = or > 32 with severe obesity related medical conditions e.g. diabetics, arthritis, heart disease, high blood pressure.
- Other methods of weight loss (dietary / drugs) have been unsuccessful
- You are unable to perform routine activities of daily living due to severe obesity
- You have understood the surgical procedure for weight loss and the risks and after effects involved and are committed to making lifelong behavioral changes related to dietary and physical activitie
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- Care for the morbidly obese requires a
- Comprehensive set-up. The
management team comprises the surgeon, dietician,
endocrinologist, physician, physiotherapist,
psychiatrist.
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| How does obesity surgery change your
life? |
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- Lifestyle adjustments
- Patient must learn to eat food
in small amounts and to chew it well and slowly.
- Follow-up is necessary every month
for three months and then as advised by surgeon for
dietary / nutritional counseling
- Weight loss starts soon after
surgery and continues for 2 years.
- Improvements occurs in obesity
related medical condition, with almost 60% patients
not requiring medication
- There is enhanced quality of life,
with improved stamina, mood, self esteem and body
image
- Obesity surgery is not a cosmetic
surgery, in fact plastic surgery may be required
following weight loss after obesity surgery
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