Bariatric surgery: How it benefits you

In recent years, there is an alarming rise in the incidence of obesity and diabetes in Bangladesh, especially in the urban area. If it remains unnoticed, it may eventually take a very large shape like many developed countries in the world.

Dr Sarfaraz Baig, an obesity expert based in Bellevue Clinic, Kolkata, India paid a short visit to Bangladesh. During this visit, he shared some views on his expertise with Star Health which is briefly revealed here.

Bariatric surgery is basically a laparoscopic procedure which means the surgery is done by making small holes through the skin and not by large incisions in the abdomen and therefore it is essentially involving very little pain, one or two days of hospital stay and patients can return to their daily activities in about 5-7 days. Bariatric surgery typically reduces 60-80% body weight dramatically.

Dr Sarfaraz Baig

In response to a question about treating obesity, Dr Baig said, "We assess obese and diabetic people and chalk out the best strategy for them. This does not necessarily mean only giving medicine; more importantly it is about changing their lifestyle, giving them an appropriate tailor made diet and sometimes surgery." He also explained, "We have a team comprising bariatric surgeons, basically weight loss surgeons and nutritionists, endocrinologists and psychologists."

There is very strong association between the rise of non-communicable diseases and obesity in this country. Obesity leads to so many diseases like diabetes, hypertension, cardiac diseases, infertility, heart burns, gastric reflux, liver diseases, hernias, arthiritis, sleep apnoea, gallstones, certain cancers like cancer of the colon, breast and uterus etc. Therefore, obesity can be called the mother of all diseases.

If we all become more aware about the root cause of this problem obesity, we can prevent most of the other diseases. So although it will be costly to begin with but it will be cost effective to end with.

Apart from the weight loss which is dramatic and apart from that it has so much of impact on a person's social and personal life.

Dr Baig finally underscored on the prevention of obesity. He opined that childhood obesity should be the focus of attention by social awareness programmes in the schools; children should be aware of what to eat and what not to eat; parents should be aware of what to keep in the refrigerator; outdoor physical activities should be highly encouraged.

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