Get Expert Advice from Top Surgeons! Schedule Your Consultation.
GEM Hospital offers expert Obesity services, ensuring safety and comfort for all surgical procedures and treatments.
Trusted Expertise
Precise Diagnostics
Advanced Treatments
Quality Care
24/7 Assistance
Obesity surgery, also known as bariatric surgery, refers to various surgical procedures designed to help individuals with severe obesity lose weight when traditional methods like diet, exercise, and medication have not been effective. The primary purpose of these surgeries is to restrict food intake and decrease the absorption of food in the stomach and intestines.
There are several types of obesity surgeries, each with its own method and benefits:
Gastric Bypass: One of the most common forms of bariatric surgery, gastric bypass involves creating a small pouch at the top of the stomach. The small intestine is then cut a short distance below the main stomach and connected to the new pouch. Food bypasses most of your stomach and the first section of your small intestine, and instead enters directly into the middle part of your small intestine.
Sleeve Gastrectomy: This procedure involves removing approximately 80% of the stomach, leaving a tubular pouch that resembles a banana. This smaller stomach cannot hold as much food. It also produces less of the appetite-regulating hormone ghrelin, which may lessen your desire to eat.
Adjustable Gastric Band: This involves placing a band around the upper part of the stomach to create a small pouch to hold food. The band’s size can be adjusted by inflating or deflating it through a small port placed under the skin. This surgery is less invasive and can be reversed if necessary.
Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch: This procedure starts with a sleeve gastrectomy but also involves bypassing the majority of the intestine by connecting the end portion of the intestine to the duodenum near the stomach. This surgery both restricts food intake and significantly reduces nutrient absorption.
Obesity is a complex health condition influenced by a variety of factors that can vary significantly from one individual to another. Understanding these causes is crucial for both prevention and treatment. Here are the primary factors that contribute to obesity:
Genetic Factors: Obesity has a strong genetic component. Children of obese parents are much more likely to become obese than children of lean parents. Genetics may affect the amount of body fat you store and where that fat is distributed. Genes can also influence your ability to convert food into energy, regulate appetite, and burn calories during exercise.
Poor Diet: A diet high in calories, lacking in fruits and vegetables, full of fast food, and laden with high-calorie beverages and oversized portions contributes significantly to weight gain. Foods that are rich in sugar and fats can be addictive for some people, which makes it difficult to reduce calorie intake.
Physical Inactivity: Sedentary lifestyles are increasingly common in modern societies. Physical inactivity is a significant risk factor for obesity, as it results in fewer calories being burned and can lead to weight gain over time. This is particularly problematic when combined with high caloric intake.
Environmental Factors: The environment you live in influences your behavior and lifestyle choices. Limited access to healthy foods, a lack of safe places to walk or exercise, and a reliance on driving as a mode of transport can all contribute to weight gain.
Psychological Factors: Many emotional and psychological factors can contribute to obesity. Some people eat excessively in response to emotions such as stress, boredom, or anger, known as emotional eating. Others may struggle with binge eating disorder, which typically involves frequent, excessive eating without subsequent purging behaviors, often resulting in obesity.
Social and Economic Issues: Social and economic factors are linked to obesity as well. For example, avoiding obesity may be difficult if you don't have resources such as safe areas to exercise, money to join a gym, or access to health education. Additionally, lower-income individuals may not have access to cost-effective, nutritious foods.
Medical Conditions: Certain medical conditions can contribute to weight gain. These include hormonal disorders like hypothyroidism, Cushing's syndrome, and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Medications for conditions such as diabetes, depression, and schizophrenia can also cause weight gain.
Age: As people age, hormonal changes and a naturally slower metabolism can increase the risk of obesity. In addition, muscle mass tends to decrease with age, lowering the rate at which the body uses calories and potentially leading to weight gain unless caloric intake is reduced.
Obesity is not just about carrying extra weight; it manifests through various symptoms and signs that can affect daily life and overall health. Recognizing these symptoms is crucial for early intervention and management. Here are the most common symptoms associated with obesity:
Excessive Body Fat: The most obvious symptom of obesity is an excessive amount of body fat, particularly around the waist. A large waist circumference is a clear indicator of obesity and can also be a risk factor for other serious health issues, such as cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes.
Difficulty Performing Physical Activities: People who are obese may find it challenging to perform basic physical activities, such as walking, climbing stairs, or carrying groceries. This difficulty is due to the extra weight that the body is not typically structured to handle, which can lead to quick exhaustion and breathlessness.
Shortness of Breath: Shortness of breath with exertion, or sometimes even at rest, is a common symptom. This occurs because the respiratory system must work harder to supply oxygen throughout the body, which is more challenging with excess body weight.
Snoring and Sleep Apnea: Obesity greatly increases the likelihood of developing sleep apnea, a serious condition characterized by pauses in breathing during sleep. Excessive fat around the neck can obstruct the airway, leading to loud snoring and repeated waking from sleep, which disrupts normal sleep patterns.
Pain in Joints and Back: Increased body weight puts additional pressure on the joints and spine, leading to pain and discomfort, particularly in weight-bearing joints like the knees and hips. Over time, this can lead to joint damage and chronic pain conditions such as osteoarthritis.
Increased Sweating: Another symptom commonly associated with obesity is increased sweating. This happens because the body's increased size and insulation cause it to heat up more quickly, prompting more sweat production in an attempt to cool down.
Fatigue: Chronic fatigue or feeling tired all the time can also be a symptom of obesity. Excess weight can stress the body's metabolic system and significantly reduce energy levels, making individuals feel unusually tired or lethargic.
Skin Problems: Obesity can lead to various skin issues, including stretch marks, acanthosis nigricans (dark, velvety skin in body folds and creases), skin tags, and an increased risk of infections in folds of the skin due to sweating and friction.
Psychological Impact: Mood disorders, depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem are frequent psychological symptoms experienced by those struggling with obesity. The social stigma and physical limitations associated with obesity can impact mental health, leading to emotional distress.
Unmasking the root cause of your weight challenges with advanced diagnostic tools at GEM Hospital:
Detailed Medical History: We meticulously analyze your medical background, including family history, past surgeries, and medications, to identify potential contributing factors.
Physical Examination: Our experienced doctors perform a thorough physical examination, assessing vital signs, body composition, and any potential physical complications related to obesity.
Blood Tests: A panel of blood tests helps evaluate hormones, insulin sensitivity, and other metabolic markers that influence weight management.
Imaging Techniques: Ultrasound scans or CT scans may be used to assess visceral fat (fat around organs), a significant risk factor for health complications.
Nutritional Assessment: We analyze your dietary habits and identify areas for improvement to support a healthy weight-loss journey.
At GEM Hospital, we understand that obesity is a complex condition requiring a personalized approach to treatment. Our multidisciplinary team is dedicated to providing comprehensive, effective solutions tailored to each patient's unique needs. Here’s an overview of the treatment options available for obesity at GEM Hospital:
Lifestyle Modification: The foundation of obesity treatment is lifestyle modification, which includes changes in diet, physical activity, and behavior:
Dietary Changes: Our nutritionists work with patients to create personalized eating plans that reduce calories but are still nutritious and satisfying. These plans aim to promote gradual, sustainable weight loss.
Exercise Programs: Physical activity is essential in the treatment of obesity. Our exercise physiologists design customized exercise plans that suit each patient’s capabilities and interests, helping to increase their activity levels safely.
Behavioral Counseling: To support changes in diet and exercise, our psychologists provide behavioral counseling to help patients develop new skills, address emotional eating, and change habits related to food and physical activity.
Medical Treatment: When lifestyle modifications alone are not sufficient, medical treatment may be necessary:
Medications: Several prescription drugs can be used to treat obesity by suppressing appetite or reducing the absorption of fat. Our medical team closely monitors patients for any side effects and effectiveness of the medication.
Weight Management Programs: GEM Hospital offers structured programs that combine medication, dietary changes, and physical activity to help patients achieve and maintain a healthier weight.
Bariatric Surgery: For individuals who have severe obesity and have not achieved significant weight loss with lifestyle changes or medications, bariatric surgery may be an option:
Gastric Bypass: Reduces the stomach size and reroutes the intestines.
Sleeve Gastrectomy: Removes a portion of the stomach, reducing its size to limit food intake.
Adjustable Gastric Banding: Involves placing a band around the upper portion of the stomach to create a small pouch that holds less food.
Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch: A more complex procedure that reduces the stomach size and changes the small intestine to drastically reduce calorie absorption.
Support Groups and Psychological Support: Recognizing that obesity can also be linked to emotional and psychological factors, GEM Hospital offers support groups and psychological counseling to help patients address these aspects of their health. These resources provide a supportive community and professional guidance to help patients navigate the emotional challenges associated with obesity.
Ongoing Monitoring and Support: Long-term success in managing obesity requires ongoing care. Our team provides continuous monitoring and support, adjusting treatment plans as necessary to help patients maintain their weight loss over time.
At GEM Hospital, we are committed to providing personalized and effective treatment options for obesity. Our goal is to help patients achieve sustainable weight loss, improve their health, and enhance their quality of life. Whether you are just starting your weight loss journey or looking for more intensive interventions like bariatric surgery, our team is here to support you every step of the way.