Obesity is one of the chronic conditions and is a risk factor for many other chronic conditions.
Obesity is expanding at an alarming rate as a major health concern throughout the world.
Obesity, one of the chronic conditions is caused by various factors. One or more of the below mentioned factors may cause obesity.
If you are obese, severely obese, or morbidly obese, you may have the following health consequences:
Premature death (shorter life expectancy): Obese people have a 50% to 100% increased risk of premature death
Obese people have more risk for heart diseases, type 2 diabetes, certain cancers (breast, uterine, colon), breathing difficulties (e.g., sleep apnea, asthma), arthritis, pregnancy complications, gall bladder problems, urinary incontinence, depression and digestive disorders (gastroesophageal reflux disease)
It is important to modify your diet and be involved in physical activities to lose excess weight and maintain the weight loss over the long term.
Regular physical activity combined with healthy eating habits is the most efficient and healthful way to control your weight. Physical activity helps to control your weight by using excess calories that otherwise would be stored as fat.
Most available weight-loss medications are “appetite-suppressant” medications. Appetite-suppressant medications promote weight loss by decreasing appetite or increasing the feeling of being full. These medications decrease appetite by increasing serotonin or catecholamine – two brain chemicals that affect mood and appetite. Prescription weight-loss medications should be used only when there is increased medical risk because of your weight and not for cosmetic reasons.
Gastrointestinal surgery for obesity, also called bariatric surgery, changes the normal digestive process. The operations promote weight loss by decreasing absorption of nutrients and thereby reducing the calorie intake. Some of the common bariatric surgeries include:
In this procedure, a hollow band made of special material is placed around the stomach near its upper end, creating a small pouch and a narrow passage into the larger remainder of the stomach. The band is then inflated with a salt solution. It can be tightened or loosened over time to change the size of the passage by increasing or decreasing the amount of salt solution.
Sleeve gastrectomy, also referred to as tube gastrectomy, involves removing the lateral 2/3rds of the stomach with a stapling device. It can be done laparoscopically (keyhole surgery) but is not reversible. It basically leaves a stomach tube instead of a stomach sack
Here a small stomach pouch is created to restrict food intake. Next, a Y-shaped section of the 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 bypass reduces the absorption of nutrients and thereby reduces the calorie intake.
Weight loss after surgery will be gradual, about 1-2 pounds per week. The success of the surgery depends on the way you adopt lifestyle changes. Your post-operative diet should include clear liquids in the first week followed by pureed or soft foods in the next week. Regular food can be started after 6 weeks. Here are some of the dietary modifications necessary to maintain weight loss:
Exercising regularly helps for your long-term success. You must exercise for at least 30 minutes in a day and also perform activities such as walking, running, swimming, aerobics and hiking.
We believe in the power of weight loss surgery, and we believe that it can help you. Take action today, and call us to schedule an informative consultation. We will sit down together and provide the information you need to make good decisions about your health and future.
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