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Do you get breathless on walking small distances or have joint pains & wondered how will you exercise? |
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In such situations, unsupervised exercise may prove more dangerous than give you any benefit. Significant weight loss with obesity surgery may reduce your breathlessness or joint pains before you start exercise regimen to make them more enjoyable & safe. |
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Do you need help to perform you daily chores because of your weight related problems – backache, knee joint pain, breathlessness? |
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If you have similar isues/questions for yourself or your family, then probably you need Weight Loss Surgery for Significant & Sustained Weight Loss. Please start your journey through this website by clicking on Enquiry |
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Do you eat less & still gain weight? |
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Yes, it is true - With age, increasing weight & reduced physical activity the energy expenditure goes down & also calories consumed from food are used only for fat storage & not for body building unlike slimmer persons. Obesity surgery helps break this cycle & one is able to lose 50-90% of extra weight. |
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Have you stopped dieting & exercising because weight keeps coming back? |
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Yes, it is true - almost 98% persons regain their lost weight & each failed attempt results in heavier but physically weaker person. |
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Have you ever considered obesity (bariatric) surgery as an option? |
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It provides significant (upto 90% of excess weight) & sustained weight(almost 80% patients maintain their weight even after 5 years) loss in most of the patients. |
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Why should I undergo surgery for a problem which can be controlled with change in eating habits & exercise?
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Overweight & obesity is an end result of inherited genes, eating environment & lifestyle changes. It is true that conventional measures like controlled eating, regular exercises etc can help in weight loss. However, long term follow up studies have shown that morbidly obese individuals regain their lost weight within 1-3 years. Obesity is the cause of many associated diseases & thus with the weight regain, associated illnesses also come back. |
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Who can undergo this surgery? |
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Guidelines are laid by International Federation for Surgery of Obesity for patient selection. The criteria for patients from Asia Pacific Region is as follows |
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| Height |
Candidates for Surgery(Kgs)* |
| 5’2” |
74 |
| 5’4” |
79 |
| 5’6” |
83 |
| 5’8” |
88 |
| 5’10” |
95 |
| 6’ |
100 |
*Especially associated with abdominal obesity & either 2 of raised blood pressure/raised fasting blood sugar/raised triglycerides/low HDL |
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Surgery usually performed between 18-65 years age group in mentally stable, non alcoholic persons. |
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I need no surgery as I do not have many associated illnesses? |
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Morbidly obese individuals (BMI>36) are suitable candidates for surgery irrespective of associated illnesses. If you have tried various conventional measures & failed to maintain the weight loss, then bariatric surgery is the only available option for significant, sustained weight loss. |
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What is weight loss surgery? |
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Bariatric surgery is the surgical intervention, mostly laparoscopic, to help patient lose weight. This term includes various kinds of abdominal procedures which helps person eat small quantity of food & feel satiated. Additionally, some procedures prevent absorption of calorie dense food from intestines. |
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How much weight is lost on the day of surgery? |
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No spot weight loss happens. The person loses 8-20kgs in the 1st month and 4-10 kgs thereafter depending on initial weight. Weight loss continues for 1 1/2 to 2 years but slows down gradually |
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How much weight loss is achievable? |
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Usually patients lose 50%-90% of excess weight after bariatric surgery. The excess weight is calculated by
(Actual weight – Ideal weight = Excess weight).
So if you are 100 kgs today & your ideal weight should be 65 kgs then your excess weight is 35 Kgs. After bariatric surgery, it is possible to lose 20-30 kgs, subject to regular follow up & compliance. |
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I am diabetic & have blood pressure problem as well – Can I undergo this surgery? |
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If you are obese & diabetic & hypertensive, bariatric surgery is all the more indicated as it resolves type II diabetes in 80%-90% patients. Similarly, blood pressure is also controlled or resolved in majority of patients.
It is necessary that before surgery patient’s blood pressure & blood sugar levels are brought to optimal level through adequate pre-operative assessment & treatment. |
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Is it a cosmetic surgery? |
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Definitely not. Obesity is a life threatening disease & its treatment helps in improving Quality of Life(QOL) & increasing life span. It is also not performed by plastic/cosmetic surgeons. |
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What happens when I dine out? |
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You will be required to eat the starters/entree only – as your stomach capacity is limited. It is advisable to eat slowly & let others eat 2-3 courses of meal. It is also advisable to inform your hosts your specific requirement to save embarrassment, when you refuse to eat their well crafted meal. |
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What about alcohol consumption? |
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Alcohol is liquid rich in calories. It is not held back by the new stomach & also does not help in giving feeling of satiety. It should be avoided esp after a gastric bypass procedure, where it can give rise to abdominal cramps etc. |
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Will I have skin hangings over my arm, abdomen etc after weight loss? |
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Usually not. Skin has enough elasticity to regain shape after weight loss. However, in some patients if the skin is unable to regain its tone, cosmetic surgery may be desirable. It is advisable to wait for 2 years after bariatric surgery before making up your mind about cosmetic procedure. |
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Can I become pregnant after bariatric surgery? |
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Usually, possibility of becoming pregnant increases after weight loss. It is advisable to avoid pregnancy during the first 2 years after weight loss surgery, but thereafter pregnancy is more safe as blood pressure, blood sugar levels become normal & the baby’s weight also is normal. |
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What about other medication – tablets etc? |
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Usually, it is possible to consume any size tablet/capsule. If you feel the tablet is extra large, then you can break them in 2-3 pieces before consumption. |
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Are these surgeries reversible? |
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Yes, technically most of these procedures except sleeve gastrectomy are reversible, however, it is not advisable to contemplate reversal as person can regain the lost weight, in addition, of morbidity of 2 surgeries. |
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Is it possible that I do not lose weight after surgery? |
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Surgery is an efficient tool to help you lose weight. If you follow medical & dietary advice, then weight loss is imperative. Failures do happen if the person defaults on supplement intake & inability of long term follow up. |
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Will I be losing appetite or I will not be able to eat even if I am hungry?
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Bariatric surgery works on the principal of satiety. Though your hunger will be normal, you will feel satisfied/satiated with small amount of food. Even today you eat till you are full. After surgery you will be able to eat till you are full( with a small amount of food). |
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A foreign body like band can be rejected by the body?
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The band is made of pure silicon( atleast the companies claim so!) & this does not react with the body. The possibility of rejection is unheard of, & no medication is prescribed.(to reduce rejection). |
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What is the possibility of band slippage/erosion?
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Band slippage incidence has reduced with the modified band placement technique, improved band design & standardization of band adjustment protocol. Band slippage, if it happens, can be corrected laparoscopically & may not require removal of band/open surgeries.
Band erosion possibility is also substantially reduced with placement of band away from gastric wall & gradual & deferred band adjustment. Even if it happens then the corrective action can be taken endoscopically/laparoscopically. |
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Which is the best procedure for me?
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The choice of a procedure is taken after taking into consideration various factors – dietary habits, associated diseases, desired weight loss, initial weight, ability for follow on, age etc. It is recommended that the decision be made in joint consultation with the operating surgeon. The final decision will be of the patient & family. |
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How do I choose a surgeon?
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Various factors should be considered prior to selecting a surgeon, including –
Experience of surgeon
Hospital set up
Safety profile of surgeon |
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It is important to assess whether surgeon has performed similar surgeries in past & how many of them had any major complication/s. The best approach is to ask for few of the patient’s contact details. Then you can contact them to find the required details. |
