Doctor’s Advice Bariatric Surgery

Doctor’s Advice: Bariatric Surgery

Categories : Clinics

Dr. Dindo Samonte of Aesthetic Concepts talks about stomach surgery as a long-term solution to weight problems

In the Philippines, obesity and being overweight are one of the leading cause of sudden unexpected death. The numbers are on the rise. We expected this to happen even more than 10 years ago, and undoubtedly, obesity is more than ever a global epidemic.

The root of the problem

bariatric article imageThe causes of this problem are not only some people’s genetic predispositions, but more than that, an imbalance of food intake and energy expenditure. Simply put, we consume more calories than we burn. There may be a lack of awareness or urgency that being obese and overweight eventually leads to serious medical problems such as Diabetes, Hypertension, Heart disease, just to mention a few and eventually early death.

A few years back, just when all these weight loss program started and eventually the concept of “wellness” was adapted and being organized, the numbers of obese and the overweight in our present population ironically increased. Again the reasons for that is the lack of awareness.

A possible solution: bariatric surgery

The concept of Obesity Surgery (Bariatric Surgery) likewise started more a decade ago to somehow address this health menace. Other medical approaches were also done, and are still being done, but these often fail – to the adverse financial impact and disappointment of an obese patient hoping to get sustained, long-term weightloss.

Obesity or Bariatric Surgery remains to be the most effective approach towards sustained weight loss, resulting in at least 85% success and about only 10—15% failure.

Different surgical procedures – which is the best?

With regard to Obesity or Bariatric Surgery procedures, I was among those who also started using the Lapband Surgery a little more than a decade ago. The success rates and failure rates among my patients were the same as what I previously mentioned. There are also recent developments in weight loss surgery such as the stomach stapling (Sleeve Gastrectomy) where in 80% of the stomach is cut and patient loses weight due to the decreased stomach volume.

Going back to the Lapband Surgery, a medical grade implant is placed around the upper stomach, which causes early fullness and restricted food intake. The Gastric Bypass, which was believed to be the “Gold Standards” in weight loss surgery involves cutting the stomach, reducing its capacity and also involves the re-routing of the intestine, and stapling. All are done Laparascopically (a minimally invasive surgery) which results to faster recovery for all the patients undergoing the 3 most common procedures being done nowadays in the Philippines. All of them have almost the same success and failure rates.

Personally, I would still go for the least invasive procedure among them – Lapband surgery –which can be equally effective and have much less risk. The Lapband is an adjustable implant that is placed at the upper stomach. Recovery is fast, and weight loss probably is a bit slower but is sustained.

There is also a fairly new procedure now that can be complimentary to the Lapband Surgery with is the Gastric Plication. The stomach is folded upon itself resulting in decreased capacity and the adjustment for a Iapband. There were studies done abroad doing a lapband procedure together with gastric plication rather than just it as a stage procedure or a separate procedure. Researchers found that weight loss was better achieved when the two procedures were done together.

For more information, contact Dr. Samonte at 9510969. Visit Aesthetic Concepts at Unit 216, Royale Place, Don Antonio Dr, Quezon City.