Obesity stands out as a serious disease that can bring not only excess weight but also many health problems. Obesity and Metabolic Surgery Specialist Dr. from Medipol University Esenler Hospital Obesity Unit. Lecturer Member Uygar Düzci explained which patients can undergo obesity surgery and what should be taken into consideration after the surgery.
Düzci stated that obesity can be linked to many health problems, from cardiovascular diseases to diabetes, from musculoskeletal problems to risks associated with some types of cancer.
Düzci said, "Obesity is a chronic disease that should not be considered only as overweight and can be linked to many health problems, from cardiovascular diseases to diabetes, from musculoskeletal system problems to risks associated with some types of cancer. Obesity surgery may be on the agenda for people who cannot achieve permanent weight loss with methods such as diet and exercise, reach certain body mass index values and have comorbid diseases."
THOSE WHO FAIL IN DIET AND EXERCISE ARE EVALUATED
Stating that obesity surgery is primarily evaluated in suitable patients who cannot achieve permanent weight loss with methods such as diet and exercise, Düzci said, "First of all, we ask the patient whether they have dieted or exercised. If the patient has not done these, we first direct them to a diet and exercise program. However, obesity surgery comes to the agenda in patients who have failed in these."
Stating that body mass index and accompanying diseases are important in the decision for surgery, Düzci said that the surgical option can be considered if the body mass index is over 40 or over 35 and there are additional diseases such as diabetes, heart disease or hypertension.
SURGERY DECISIONS ARE MADE WITH MORE THAN ONE SPECIALIST
Stating that patients undergo detailed evaluation before obesity surgery, Düzci pointed out that the decision for surgery is not made by a single physician. Stating that the patients were evaluated by physicians from different branches, Düzci stated that surgical treatment was planned for suitable patients.
Stating that obesity surgery is not as long and scary as it seems, Düzci said, "Our surgery takes an average of 1 hour. He stays in the hospital for 1 or 2 nights, then he is discharged. Of course, it is very important that the surgery is performed in competent hands and under appropriate conditions."
Düzci stated that obesity surgery can provide significant health benefits in suitable patients, and that the risk of obesity-related death is reduced after surgery.
TREATMENT DOES NOT END WHEN THE SURGERY IS OVER
Pointing out that the treatment process does not end after the surgery, Düzci stated that the patients switched to a new diet under the control of a dietitian.
Stating that patients can go through liquid and puree-based nutrition programs in the first period and return to normal nutrition over time, Düzci said, "We never abandon the patient after the surgery. He enters a nutrition process under the control of a dietitian. He can switch to a liquid diet for a while, a puree diet for a while, and then a normal diet."
Düzci emphasized that it is important to make a healthy diet permanent in the long term in order to prevent weight gain again.
“WHEN WE ARE DROPPED BY THE TASTE OF OUR CUISINE, WE CAN GAIN WEIGHT AGAIN”
Stating that the eating habits of the society may pose a risk for obesity, Düzci said that having a large number of high-calorie foods on the tables at the same time can facilitate excessive consumption.
Düzci said, "We have a very rich cuisine, this is something to be proud of. But at the same time, it can be risky in terms of obesity. We do not leave the patients we perform surgery on alone. Because the moment we get carried away by the taste of our cuisine, we may start to gain weight again."
MAINTAINING THE LOST WEIGHT IS ALSO PART OF THE TREATMENT
Drawing attention to the importance of people who lose a significant amount of weight after obesity treatment to change their behavior in order to maintain the results they have achieved, Düzci said that being aware of the effort a person makes for his health can provide motivation in the long term.
Düzci said, "After losing weight, a person can start to act more carefully, saying 'I need to maintain my form'. This approach helps us maintain our form in the future. We always need to pay attention to our eating habits in order not to lose the health we lost or gained back."
