Obesity-related illnesses: How & when weight-loss surgery can help

Obesity is a complex disease involving abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents a risk to health. An individual is considered overweight if their Body Mass Index (BMI) is 25, and obese if it’s over 30.

According to the WHO, in 2016, almost 2 billion people were overweight globally. This figure underlines how the issue has grown dramatically in the last few decades, with rates still growing both in children and adults.

Obesity can severely affect the quality of life of an individual, resulting in illnesses that can potentially pose a serious health risk or lifelong treatment.

What are obesity-related illnesses?

Obesity can cause a series of illnesses, including:

• High blood pressure (Hypertension)
• Type 2 diabetes
• High LDL cholesterol, low HDL cholesterol, or high levels of triglycerides (Dyslipidemia)
• Coronary heart disease
• Stroke
• Gallbladder disease
• Osteoarthritis (joint damage caused by bone cartilage wearing down)
• Sleep apnea, bronchial asthma and breathing problems
• Increased risk of cancer

Obesity during pregnancy can cause:

• Embryo stasis (the embryo does not attach to the uterus and does not develop further)
• Miscarriage
• Foetal malformations (spinal hernia, craniosynostosis, heart defects)
• Foetal hypotrophy (organ or tissue degeneration) or foetal macrosomia (newborn with an excessive birth weight)
• Intrauterine foetal death

In general, obesity can also affect quality of life, resulting in low self-esteem, periods of depression, sometimes a sense of social isolation, or anxiety.

Are there treatments for obesity?

Treatment for obesity and overweight include lifestyle changes such as a balanced diet and exercise in order to lose weight. A healthy eating plan and regular exercise are usually the first treatments recommended to people affected by obesity. When this line of treatment is not enough, your doctor may recommend additional treatments, including weight-loss medicine, weight-loss machines, or weight-loss surgery, also known as bariatric surgery.

At KCM Obesity Treatment Centre we perform the latest bariatric procedures, both surgical and non-surgical. Weight-loss surgery has proved to be extremely helpful for patients, however, positive outcomes are only possible if the patient commits to changing their habits and following a thorough post-op plan that includes guidelines for their diet and physical activity.

Losing weight and keeping it off is a long process and we believe that it is necessary to use a multidisciplinary approach for higher chances of success. This is why at KCM Obesity Treatment Centre you will be followed by a team of experienced bariatricians, dieticians, psychologists, and more. We will follow up with you on your weight-loss journey also when you leave the clinic to ensure you’re doing well.

Below is an overview of the weight-loss procedures offered.

Non-surgical bariatric procedures

Intragastric balloon

An intragastric balloon is a medical device made of soft silicone that is placed into the stomach to promote the feeling of fullness. The procedure lasts around 20 minutes and is performed endoscopically, which means no incisions are made. The doctor inserts the deflated balloon with an endoscope through your mouth until the stomach and inflates it with a saline solution. Gastric balloons are designed to remain in your stomach for 6 months, or up to 12 months. After this time has passed, the balloon will be removed.

Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty

Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty is one of the latest bariatric procedures and KCM Clinic is one of the few centres in Europe that offers it. The procedure is performed endoscopically, which means that the doctor will not make any incisions or add stitches. You will receive general anaesthesia, so you will be asleep throughout the procedure. The doctor inserts the endoscope in your mouth and reaches the stomach. Then, the stomach will be made smaller by stitching parts of the stomach together with a special suturing device. The stomach is reduced by around 80%, helping you feel full sooner. As a non-surgical procedure, recovery from an endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty is typically quicker than other surgical treatments, but just as effective.

Surgical bariatric procedures

Sleeve gastrectomy (gastric sleeve)

Sleeve gastrectomy, also known as gastric sleeve, is, to this day, the most frequently performed bariatric procedure. Many patients have successfully gained back control over their life thanks to this treatment, which in many cases can be lifesaving.

The procedure involves removing around 80% of the stomach to limit food intake. It is performed under general anaesthesia and is non-reversible.

Gastric bypass

Gastric bypass, also known as Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, is a bariatric procedure that alters your stomach by dividing it into a small pouch that is then directly attached to your small intestine to speed up absorption and digestion. The procedure is highly effective and could cause as much as an 85% drop in excess weight within the 6 to 18 months of surgery.

SADI-S

Single Anastomosis Duodeno-ileal Bypass with Sleeve Gastrectomy, or SADI-S, involves two steps: firstly, a sleeve gastrectomy is performed, which reduces the size of the stomach by removing a large part of it. Secondly, the doctor performs a gastric bypass, which involves detaching the intestine and connecting it back 2 metres down, bypassing the part of the bowel that absorbs most nutrients and calories. This way, you will absorb less from the food you ingest, aiding weight loss. Consider that you might need to be on a lifelong treatment of vitamins and supplements.

Each patient is different and to understand what procedure might be the most effective in your case, we need to have a first consultation with you. We will ask you questions about your overall health, your medical record, and your expectations.

Bariatric surgery has helped thousands of patients feel better, with results that have dramatically improved their life.

If you want to learn more about the different weight-loss procedures or start your weight-loss journey at KCM Clinic, feel free to get in touch with us anytime.