Cosmetic Surgery: Going Under the Knife

In India, people have got into the habit of eating outside food frequently due to the large number of avenues available to them. A comfortable sitting, food filled with lots of fat and zero exercise has only accumulated layers of fat on people. In such a situation obese people prefer to go for procedures like bariatric surgery, tummy tuck, liposuction, rhinoplasty, etc.

Post surgery people do get slim and see themselves in shape but it is only a temporary solution. Director, laparoscopic and obesity surgeon Dr Pradeep Chowbey from Max Hospital said, “Individuals going under the knife may again gain weight and this is often because of the natural changes that occur in stomach and small intestine over time. The most common causes of weight gain after gastric bypass surgery are going back to old eating habits and failing to exercise to maintain weight loss.”

Successful weight loss happens slowly that include making lifestyle changes like consuming fewer calories and being physically agile. One must try to lose 5-10 percent of their current weight over six months of time.

Obesity: A matter of concern

Obesity is the root cause of almost all the health problems. Director, department of minimal access, bariatric and surgical gastroenterology, Dr Deep Goel from BLK Hospital said, “Obesity minimizes roughly every feature of health, from reproductive and respiratory function to memory and mood. It increases the risk of multiple diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, cancer, sleep apnoea, depression, infertility and joint pain.”

Procedures to reduce fat

According to the doctors, bariatric surgery is the best procedure to cut fat. Senior laparoscope and bariatric surgeon, Dr Ashok Gupta from Max Hospital said, “Bariatric surgery is a feasible choice and in some people this procedure can be done laparoscopically that is without cutting the abdomen and then they can be discharged in 2-3 days. It is a type of surgery which eventually leads to dieting and the person does not keep feeling hungry.”

·   Bariatric Surgery: In this procedure the surgeon creates a small stomach pouch to restrict food intake. “A Y-shaped section of small intestine is attached to the pouch to allow food to bypass the lower stomach, the duodenum (the first segment of the small intestine), and the first portion of the jejunum (the second segment of the small intestine). This diminishes the amount of calories the body absorbs,” informs Dr Pradeep Chowbey.

This procedure leads to rapid weight loss and control the urge to take sweet foods. But there is a risk of leak of staple line, haemorrhage, ulcers, blockage or narrowing of the stomach, vomiting in case food is not properly chewed or is eaten too quickly, in this procedure.

·       Sleeve Gastrectomy: “In this procedure the surgeon removes approximately 60 percent of the stomach laparoscopically so that the stomach takes the shape of a tube or sleeve. It helps in eliminating the portion of the stomach that produces the hormone that kindles hunger,” said Dr Deep Goel.

·      Lap Banding: A band is placed in the abdomen, around the upper part of the stomach, through a tiny incision. This newly created stomach can only accept a tiny amount of food.

After the surgery

It is important to do morning and evening walks, eat healthy, and shun junk food after undergoing the surgeries. Only maintaining healthy lifestyle can help you keeping all the health issues at bay. It’s better to lose weight by exercising rather than going for a surgery.