Overweight to over 100! Bariatric surgery: a two-pronged approach

Obesity is the root of all diseases; obesity is the first of all illnesses! A 21-year-old man surnamed He who lives in New Taipei City weighed more than 143 kilograms six months ago. With the support of his family, he went to Shuanghe Hospital for weight loss surgery. Now his weight has dropped to 104.4 kilograms, his BMI has dropped from 48.7 to 34.9, and his high blood pressure has dropped from a dangerous 179 to 124. He is very happy. Not only has he solved the problem of diabetes that has plagued him for many years, but his sleep apnea disorder has also been effectively improved. (Video/Photographer Zhang Shijie)

Obesity is a disease, especially morbid obesity, which needs to be improved through weight loss surgery.

Su Yanhao, chief physician of general surgery at the Shuanghe Hospital, pointed out that most obese patients are prone to metabolic syndromes such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia. Other complications include snoring, sleep apnea syndrome, and compression symptoms caused by mobility problems. If the patient's BMI is greater than 40 or BMI is greater than 35 and has other complications, they are eligible for gastric reduction surgery under health insurance regulations.

Gastric reduction surgery requires evaluation by a physician

Clinically, gastric reduction surgery involves removing part of the stomach, which reduces the stomach capacity, limits the amount of food eaten, and affects the absorption of nutrients in order to achieve the purpose of weight loss. However, patients must not think that weight loss can be easily achieved through surgery alone. Before the operation, they still need to consult and assist with a doctor, choose the appropriate surgical method, and understand how to take in adequate nutrition and control calories after the operation in order to effectively get rid of excess weight.

Mr. He used to weigh 143 kg, but after losing weight for half a year he only weighed 104 kg. The fat guy has turned into a handsome guy. (Photo by Zhang Shijie)

Weight loss improves apnea

Obesity can also cause sleep problems. Mr. Wang, 39 years old, weighed 105.5 kg and had a BMI of 37.8 three months ago. He had diabetes and hypertension. His job requires him to drive for long periods of time, but because of his poor sleep quality, he often feels sleepy while driving. Because he was worried that a traffic accident would ruin his own and other people's families, he went to Shuanghe Hospital for treatment. Now my weight has dropped to 80.3 kg, my body fat has dropped to 30.2, and my mental problems have disappeared.

Doctor Su Yanhao (left) pointed out that weight loss surgery helped 62-year-old Mr. Guo effectively improve his sleep apnea. (Photo by Zhang Shijie)

There is also a 62-year-old Mr. Guo who has severe sleep apnea. He has to wear a positive pressure breathing machine when he sleeps, and he often feels chest tightness and heart discomfort. One month after the surgery at Shuanghe Hospital, my weight dropped from 125 kg to 98 kg, and my waist circumference dropped from 52 inches to 46 inches. I no longer need to wear a respirator when sleeping, and my chest tightness has improved. Mr. Guo said that losing weight not only helps him regain his health, but also improves his sleep apnea, which makes him feel like he has earned something.

Surgery has few side effects and is safe

Gastric reduction surgery is a laparoscopic procedure that removes the stomach fundus that secretes appetite-stimulating hormones. It also reduces the stomach's capacity, making it easier to feel full and improving the condition of type 2 diabetes. Because the operation is simple, safe, has few postoperative complications, and does not cause problems such as malnutrition and trace element deficiency, it has become the most commonly used and significantly effective weight loss surgery in recent years.

Clinical observations have also found that many people think they can lose weight by eating less and exercising more. However, for people with a BMI of over 32 and comorbid obesity-related metabolic diseases such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia, or sleep apnea, or whose BMI is over 37, eating less is not very effective, and exercise can be painful or even dangerous. Therefore, it is best to see a doctor and listen to professional advice to avoid hesitation and delay that causes persistent obesity, or improper weight loss that harms your health.

Proper diet is required after surgery

Last year, the "Weight Loss and Beauty Body Sculpting Center" of Shuanghe Hospital completed a total of 139 cases of weight loss using gastric reduction surgery for patients with morbid obesity, successfully reducing 3 tonnes of fat, equivalent to 15.2 200kg heavy motorcycles: not only did it significantly improve symptoms such as high blood pressure, high blood lipids, high blood sugar, and sleep apnea, but it also allowed patients to regain their health and confidence.

However, it should be reminded that gastric reduction weight loss surgery cannot be reversed after the surgery, and proper diet and exercise must still be followed after the surgery for the weight loss effect to be obvious. It does not mean that everything will be fine after the surgery. Patients under 14 years old or over 65 years old who suffer from endocrine, mental illness, malignant tumors, or a history of drug abuse are not suitable for gastric reduction weight loss surgery and must find other ways to lose weight and improve the nightmare of obesity.