Obesity is excessive accumulation of fat in our body. Approximately 2 billion people in the world struggle with obesity according to the data of the World Health Organization, as of 2017. 400 million people between 5 and 19 years of age are obese. 

Obesity has serious negative effects on all systems in our body. These are;

• Hypertension
• Higher cholesterol levels (Total cholesterol and LDL)
• Lower HDL levels
• Higher blood lipid rates
• Type 2 Diabetes
• Metabolic Syndrome
• Coronary heart disease
• Stroke
• Gall bladder diseases
• Joint disorders
• Sleep apnea and sleep disorders
• Lower quality of life
• Mental diseases (Depression and anxiety)
• Body pain, decreased activity
• Increase in the incidence of cancer, especially breast and colon

Body Mass Index (BMI) ratio are used to classify obesity. This ratio is obtained by dividing the person's weight by the square of her/his height. According to the classification of the World Health Organization, those with a BMI of 30 and above are classified as obese and are at high risk for many diseases. 

• Those with BMI > 40 kg/m2
• Those with BMI >35 kg/m2 and Type 2 Diabetes
• Those with metabolic disorders such as hypertension and sleep apnea

The methods used in the surgical treatment of obesity may be grouped under 3 titles.

• Restrictive (Volume reduction) surgeries
• Malabsorptive (absorption reducing) surgeries
• Combined surgeries

Sleeve Gastrectomy

Approximately 75% to 80% of the stomach is surgically removed and the gastric volume is significantly reduced.  Since the stomach will take much less food, the patient's calorie intake is reduced and weight loss is achieved. However, the main weight loss effect is due to the change in hormones that control hunger and blood glucose in the gastrointestinal tract. On the other hand, this surgical technique provides metabolic recovery as effectively as gastric bypass and improvements in blood glucose levels and a significant decrease in the need for insulin injection or complete discontinuation before the weight loss effect appears. The disadvantages of this method are that it is irreversible and it is necessary to use vitamin supplements for a long time.

Gastric by-pass

This is the oldest method for obesity surgery. The procedure has 2 stages. In the first stage, a very small gastric pouch is created just from the continuation of the esophagus, and in the second stage, the small intestine is connected with this stomach pocket from a certain distance. Like sleeve gastrectomy, the patient may take limited food, and the hormonal change on the gastrointestinal tract is more evident. The sense of hunger thereby decreases and the sense of fulness increases. The blood glucose has a normal progress. Gastric band (stomach clamp) which was used frequently in the surgical treatment of obesity for a period is almost too rare to be applied today.

Gastric Balloon

It is another interventional method used in the treatment of obesity. The balloon is endoscopically inserted into the stomach and inflated in the gastric fundus to benefit from volume-restricting effect. It can stay in the stomach for a maximum of 6 months so that it does not cause any complications. It may be inserted to the same patient 2 or 3 more times after removal. Although it may cause weight loss in the short and medium term, long term results are debatable.  It is commonly used in extremely obese patients to lose some weight before a surgical technique.

As with all other surgeries, obesity surgeries have some risks. The most important issue here is that obesity surgeries are performed by an experienced and reliable team.

With RumiPulse, you have the chance to have surgery in the best centers by best bariatric surgeons of Turkey, and you will lose weight in a healthy way and get rid of all your burdens.

Contact us for the opportunity to be treated by the best doctors and for detailed information.