As the number of obese people continues to rise globally, especially among young adults and adolescents, more and more people are opting to undergo the knife for bariatric surgery as a safe and reliable method for weight loss. It may be a notable option for a patient who can't lose weight through regular diet and exercise or has serious health problems caused by obesity.

Procedure types

Bariatric surgery is achieved by reducing the size of the stomach with a gastric band, through removing a portion of the stomach, or by re-routing the food to the small stomach and small intestine. Some procedures include Sleeve Gastrectomy, Gastric Banding and Gastric Bypass.

Potential candidates

This type of surgery is advised for patients who are at least 25 to 30 kg overweight with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 32.5 or above. People with severe diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnoea, or women who can't conceive due to obesity, are likely candidates.

Tests involved

The patient may need to undergo tests such as a psychology evaluation, GI X-ray, blood tests for bacteria in the stomach, blood counts, blood urea and liver function tests to further determine if they are eligible for the surgery.

Reduced risks

Bariatric surgery plays a key role in the treatment of Type 2 diabetes by changing the hormonal levels in the blood, as insulin resistance is increased and blood sugar is controlled.

According to reports, over 80 per cent of the patients after the surgery have normal blood sugar without taking any medication. Studies have also shown that weight loss surgery is also associated with fewer cardiovascular events, such as heart attack and stroke.

India: An ideal destination

India is one of the top medical tourism destinations for patients seeking world-class bariatric treatments at low costs, and surgeries cost almost 70 per cent less when compared to the U.S. or U.K. The high rates of obesity in the Gulf have led to a number of people from the region heading to India for the surgery. There are minimum waiting lists and bariatric surgery in India for foreign patients can cost around Rs7.5 lakh (around Dh50,000), which often includes a stay of two to three days, transport and translation services, making it an attractive medical tourism destination.

Before you choose to undergo a surgery, make sure you do your research and choose a surgeon who has performed over 100 bariatric surgeries a year. The surgeon's experience is most likely to reduce the rate of complications. Also ensure there is a trained support staff including a dietician, a physician, a psychologist and counsellors available.

Try to also get in touch with any previous patients who are willing to share their experiences, as this can go a long way in easing your worries.

Indian hospitals and surgeons have adopted a number of advanced technologies such as modern laparoscopic equipment and the latest instruments, to ensure the highest quality of services. Metropolitan cities such as Mumbai, New Delhi, Bengaluru and Chennai have become hubs for offering excellent weight loss surgery centres.

Do you qualify for a weight loss surgery?

The Obesity Surgery Society of India (OSSI) recommends that bariatric surgery for:

- Patients with BMI of 32.5 with co-existing medical conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnoea, PCOD, osteo-arthritis and a seriously impaired lifestyle.

- Patients with Body Mass Index (BMI) of over 37.5, without any other disease.

Benefits

- Enhanced quality of life

- Most patients have more energy and can be more active

- Patients can lose up to 50 per cent of excess body weight

- Reduces the need to take medications

- Improves fertility

- Improves self-esteem

Source: Khaleej Times