It is well known that obesity, along with an increase in life expectancy and an increase in the proportion of elderly people in the population, is a serious social problem in the developed countries. The cause of obesity is always excessive energy consumption compared to the energy expenditures. Daily excess of calories can be small and not noticeable. Nevertheless, 10 extra kcal per day contributes to a weight gain of 0.5 kg per year.
How can I lose weight?
To the date, there are no medications that would allow us to constantly and significantly control body mass. Given the incidence of diabetes mellitus and other obesity-related diseases, there is a high risk of premature death.
Obesity treatment is a complex process, the most important components of which are:
- Lifestyle changes – eat less and move more.
- Psychological support.
- Adherence to the chosen lifestyle.
- Surgical treatment is the only proven method of continuous weight loss for patients whose BMI is more than 40 kg/m2.
In which cases is the surgical treatment indicated?
Endless attempts to get rid of extra pounds using various methods of weight loss, lead only to the loss of precious time. A person who has spent many years fighting overweight can radically solve this problem only with the help of surgical methods. The operation for obesity in Germany makes it possible not only to become more beautiful and attractive, but also to live longer and better.
Weight loss is accompanied by stabilization or normalization of blood pressure, cholesterol lowering, better control or complete cure of type 2 diabetes mellitus. There are many publications on the beneficial effects of surgical treatments for obesity on non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (fatty liver hepatosis, fatty liver).
Steps to the bariatric operations:
- Calculate your body mass index. If it exceeds 40, then consider bariatric surgery.
- Try to find the cause of overweight and an explanation of why you are not able to handle it.
- Consult with your general practitioner or a specialist who gives you a referral.
- Think what hopes you are associating with surgical treatment, what goals you are pursuing.
- Visit a bariatric surgeon to discuss the pros and cons of surgical treatment.
Algorithm of diagnostics
All patients should be examined to identify causes and complications of obesity. Based on the results of the diagnostic and when revealing any disease, a discussion of specialists in several areas should be carried out. This allows determining optimal tactics for treating the patient.
The standard algorithm for examining an obese patient includes:
- Blood lipid spectrum (HDL, LDL, TG).
- Fasting blood glucose, OGTT.
- HbA1c.
- ALT, AST, GGT.
- Uric acid, creatinine.
- Ultrasound of the abdominal organs.
- Measurement of blood pressure.
All patients should be examined to identify disorders of carbohydrate metabolism, e.g. impaired fasting glycemia, glucose intolerance and diabetes mellitus.
Surgical treatment
The operation is usually performed laparoscopically. Laparoscopy is an endoscopic surgical method in which there is no opening of the abdominal cavity by cutting it. Small incisions are made on the front surface of the abdominal wall. With laparoscopic surgery, tissue trauma is less than with the open surgery. The postoperative recovery period is faster and more painless, the postoperative scar is smaller, the hospital stay is shorter, and recovery is faster.
In rare cases, surgery is performed by opening the abdominal cavity. The reason for this may be previous operations or individual anatomical features of a person.
The main types of surgical treatment on the stomach:
- Laparoscopic or open biliopancreatic bypass surgery for weight loss.
- Endoluminal bariatric surgery with POSE.
If you want to start improving your health and undergo treatment in Germany, entrust this matter to professionals. Years of experience in working with foreign patients, individual selection of treatment programs, many satisfied patients are indisputable advantages of treatment with Booking Health. Booking Health will become your indispensable assistant not only during the treatment, but also after returning home.
What you need to know after an operation
Thanks to the extensive experience of doctors, the operation is tolerated quite easily and a patient can quickly return to his usual regimen. You will be allowed to go home in 2-3 days after a surgery.
Some recommendations for the postoperative period are:
- Keep a balanced and healthy diet.
- Take your prescribed medications, vitamins and recommended nutritional supplements.
- Attend all recommended counseling and undergo lab tests.
- When visiting other doctors, inform them about your surgery.
- Gradually increase your physical activity and exercise for at least 40 minutes a day.
- If you have any health-related problems, immediately contact the doctor.
It should also be noted that a bariatric surgery is not a contraindication for the subsequent pregnancies and childbirth.
