Obesity Surgery in the Treatment of Chronic Diseases

Incorrect eating habits, sedentary lifestyle and lack of knowledge make obesity one of the most important health problems worldwide. In our country too, the prevalence of obesity is increasing day by day for these reasons. Obesity upsets the body's balance and leads to many serious diseases such as cancer and, most importantly, loss of life. Research shows that the prevalence of obesity in women is over 40% and twice that of men. Op. Dr. Mesut Çaynak from the General Surgery Department of Memorial Sağlık Grubu Medstar Antalya Hastanesi shared important information about obesity and its treatment.

Shortening Life Span with Incorrect Nutrition

Obesity occurs as a result of energy taken in through food exceeding energy expended and excess energy being stored as fat in the body. It can also be defined as excessive and abnormal fat accumulation in the body. It negatively affects life span and quality. The presence and degree of obesity is determined by Body Mass Index, which establishes a connection between weight and height. BMI (Body Mass Index) is calculated using the formula: Weight(kg) / Height(m)². A person's Body Mass Index between 30-34.9 kg/m² indicates Grade I obesity, between 35-39.9 kg/m² indicates Grade II obesity, and above 40 kg/m² indicates Grade III morbid obesity. These diseases are seen together with obesity;

• Type 2 Diabetes
• Depression
• Degenerative joint disorders
• Lower back and back pain
• Obstructive sleep apnea
• Reflux disease
• Gallstones
• Hyperlipidemia and hypercholesterolemia
• Asthma
• Heart failure
• Migraine
• Hypertension
• Deep vein thrombosis and other vascular diseases
• Venous stasis ulcers
• Urinary incontinence
• Infertility
• Dysmenorrhea
• Sexual dysfunction
• Increased incidence of many cancers
• Skin sagging and skin infections

Surgery is the Most Effective Treatment Method

Lifestyle modifications such as changes in eating habits, exercise and behavioral changes form the first step in obesity treatment. In the treatment of patients with severe obesity, surgery is the most effective proven and reliable treatment method. Obesity surgery is recommended for those with Body Mass Index above 40, and for those with BMI between 35-40 who have concomitant obesity-related disease. Metabolic surgery is beneficial even if BMI is as low as 30, in individuals where glycemic control cannot be achieved despite optimal treatment. For surgery, failure with medical supervision and diet is required, as is the condition of being psychologically stable.

Metabolic Surgery Against Diabetes

Bariatric surgery has, over time, focused beyond merely causing weight loss to the metabolic effects and benefits of surgery. Although many comorbid diseases improve depending on weight loss following bariatric surgery, the metabolic diseases most affected are type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is associated with central obesity, glucose intolerance, dyslipidemia and hypertension. All medical problems seen due to metabolic syndrome respond to surgery performed with the aim of achieving weight loss. Following metabolic surgery, improvement rates reaching 90% are observed in patients with diabetes lasting less than 5 years.