Do you know what the greatest curse of modern day lifestyle is?

It’s Obesity and its related consequences.

Fast food, stress, sedentary lifestyle, and errant sleep timings… over time, all of these starts to take its toll on us. All this results in excessive weight gain and ultimately, obesity, which itself becomes the driving factor behind many other health conditions such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, etc.

It is often said that there is always a solution to every problem. Well, in this case, there are many possible solutions – appetite suppressants (medications), liposuction, extreme diet plans and extreme physical activities. All of these methods work but unfortunately the weight loss achieved by these methods is often very modest and difficult to maintain. Bariatric surgery, on the other hand offers a far more effective way to ACHIEVE and MAINTAIN weight loss. BARIATRIC surgery, where appropriate, remains the most effective treatment strategy for sustainable weight loss.

Now, those who have already surfed internet a million times searching for the perfect treatment of obesity will be aware of the term bariatric surgery but if you are here for the first time, let us explain the term. The word bariatric has Greek origins – bari meaning weight or pressure in ancient/modern Greek. Bariatric means ‘of or relating to the treatment of obesity’. Bariatric surgery is the surgical specialty that deals with the management and treatment of obesity. Bariatric surgery encompasses many different types of surgery such as gastric banding, sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass.

There must be countless questions hovering within your mind right now, so, let’s find some answers to your queries regarding bariatric surgery in Melbourne.

Who would be a candidate for bariatric surgery?

Selection for surgery is based on a multidisciplinary assessment programme which includes a consultation with a surgeon, a physician, a dietitian and a clinical psychologist if appropriate.

Criteria that need to be fulfilled include: –

• BMI > 40 or BMI > 35 with obesity related medical conditions
• Age >18 and previous failed attempt (>6 months) to lose weight via medical means
• A full and complete understanding of the nature, mechanism and risks of the surgery
• Absence of uncontrolled psychological problems
• Absence of active drug and /or alcohol problems
• A commitment to a healthy and appropriate diet, exercise and long-term follow-up

If you fulfil any of the criteria above, you may be considered for bariatric surgery.

NB    BMI (Body Mass Index) is calculated by dividing your weight (in kg) by your height (in m²)

BMI = Wt (kg) / Ht (m² )

What are the various types of bariatric surgery?

There is no perfect surgical solution to obesity. The 3main proven weight loss operations are gastric banding, sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass.

Each technique has its risks, strengths and weaknesses and is only a tool that enables one to lose weight with healthy food choices and exercise.

Gastric Banding

Using laparoscopic (key-hole) surgery, a silicone band is placed around the top of the stomach, just below the junction between the food pipe (esophagus) and the stomach. The inner lining of the band is a balloon which is connected by tubing to a reservoir which is secured under the skin on the abdominal wall. A special non-coring needle is used to inject fluid (saline) to tighten or loosen the band around the stomach. This limits the portion size one can eat.  Hi calorie fluids however will still pass through the band without any restriction and can therefore jeopardize weight loss if one does not make the appropriate food choices.

Sleeve Gastrectomy

Sleeve gastrectomy is usually performed by laparoscopic (key-hole) surgery and involves removing about 80% of the stomach leaving a small volume “sleeve” of stomach. It reduces the amount one can eat and importantly the portion of stomach removed produces a hormone called Ghrelin that regulates appetite. Hence most patients do not feel as hungry and this helps with achieve weight loss.

Gastric Bypass

Roux en Y gastric bypass or gastric bypass is an established surgical treatment for morbid obesity. This is usually performed by laparoscopic or “key-hole” surgery. It involves partitioning the stomach into a small pouch and re-arranging part of the small bowel. The small stomach pouch, about the size of one’s thumb, is fashioned with a surgical stapler and separated from the remainder of stomach. The upper half of small bowel is sectioned and re-arranged into 2 limbs – Roux or the ‘food’ limb and biliopancreatic or “digestive enzyme” limb. The “food” limb is then connected to the small stomach pouch to restore the continuity of gut and the “digestive enzyme” limb connected to the “food” limb downstream to allow digestion of food and absorption of nutrients in the “common” limb. With gastric bypass, patients feel full and satisfied with a small portion of food. In addition, the re-arrangement of the small bowel triggers hormonal changes that suppresses hunger and improves diabetes

What are the benefits of bariatric surgery?

Obesity is associated with many chronic conditions – some potentially fatal. Bariatric surgery has been shown to be an effective and safe method to deliver sustained weight loss when non-surgical methods have failed.

It is important to remember that obesity surgery is NOT cosmetic surgery.

It does not cure obesity and will only be successful if accompanied by a lifelong commitment to healthy eating habits and exercise.

What are the complications involved in the bariatric surgery in Melbourne?

Every surgical procedure carries some risks and bariatric surgery is no different. In general, risks are low but each type of surgery has its own specific risks and potential complications and your surgeon should be able to discuss these thoroughly with you so you can make an informed decision about the type of surgery to embark on.

What are the precautions that should be taken after the surgery?

Surgical follow up after bariatric surgery should be lifelong. Your surgeon or practice dietitian will provide you with expert advice regarding food choices and dietary supplements tailored to the type of surgery that you have. There should also be regular monitoring of essential nutrients by your surgeon/dietitian to ensure you do not develop any nutritional deficiencies in the long term

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Surgical intervention becomes necessary when you are facing the problem of severe obesity. In fact, it is one of the most serious stages of obesity since you will find yourself battling with a weight gain cycle that will make you feel somewhat trapped. Having an excess weight will drive you to participate in numerous weight loss programs and going over several diets, but in the end you all your weight loss efforts will go in vain and as a result, you will keep gaining more weight. In order to stop this continuous increase in weight, opting for a bariatric surgery in Melbourne based clinic seems to be the most effective option.

According to a research, it was stated that severe obesity can be restrained highly through the conventional bariatric treatments such as the gastric bypass therapy. Bariatric surgeries are also known as obesity surgeries and are the only effective measure that you can take for guaranteed weight loss results in the long term. All you need is to follow the essential guidelines your bariatric surgeon will notify you with.

How Can the Treatment Help You?

Bariatric surgery is a mechanism that consists of several do’s and don’ts. When you choose to have a bariatric surgery in Melbourne, you will be provided with a comprehensive treatment plan for making the surgery more effective. This consolidation of post and pre-treatment plan along with the surgery will ensure long-term weight reduction and will encourage a healthier quality of life. On top of that, with a bariatric surgery supervised by a weight loss surgeon, you can experience the betterment of different obesity-related issues such as high blood pressure, type-2 diabetes, heart disorders, and many more. The need for further medication for these problems will decrease to a greater extent and you will find yourself with exciting opportunities in terms of health.

How Does the Treatment Work?

Bariatric surgery comprises of different varieties such as gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, and gastric banding. All of these are weight loss surgeries that are mainly concentrated on modifying your gastrointestinal tract. The surgeon will change the anatomy of this tract along with helping you in making some physiological changes in your body that will directly have a positive effect on the fat metabolism and energy balance. No matter what kind of bariatric surgery you choose for yourself, always remember that the surgeon can only help you crossing the first stage and will provide you a guide for the other stages that involve behaviour modification, proper nutrition, and exercise, and so on.

What Is the Success Rate of This Treatment?

Bariatric surgeries have been reported to provide successful long-term weight loss after following the guidelines after the operation. Compared to the traditional and conventional weight loss programs, more than 50 percent of individuals who have opted for the bariatric surgery in Melbourne have experienced excess weight loss and are now leading a healthier lifestyle. Furthermore, bariatric surgeries encourage longevity by reducing the risk of death due to obesity-related problems.

Bariatric surgery is a step ahead to leading a positive and healthy life. Choose the right treatment for you and experience the numerous benefits that come with the treatment.

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It is a well-known fact that obesity has nearly doubled all over the world in recent years. The most common factors which lead to obesity are genetics, unhealthy lifestyle, lack of physical exercise, psychological issues, etc. However, these days most of the people are at the risk of obesity because of their lifestyle. With a sedentary lifestyle, most of us lack physical activity which leads to weight gain. Obesity in turn also increases the risk of heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, asthma, etc.

Take a look at these lifestyle habits which might lead to obesity-

• Irregular sleep pattern

Lack of sleep is the most common factor which can lead you to obesity. When an individual is sleep deprived the body has high levels of the stress hormone cortisol which also increases the appetite. Additionally, the irregular sleep pattern also causes weight gain. In order to prevent obesity, it is necessary to have a balanced sleep cycle.

• Overeating junk food

With the fast-paced lives, junk food intake has increased rapidly. Because the food is low on the nutritional value it just adds to the body fats. Junk foods are known for their high calories i.e. extreme levels of sugar and fat. It is necessary to cut-down on fatty foods and processed foods to keep away from obesity.

• Lack of physical exercise

Along with maintaining the diet, it is also necessary to flex your muscles. Exercising on a regular basis not only keeps your weight in check but also burns unwanted calories. Exercising also helps in controlling blood pressure and preventing diabetes.

• Too much consumption of aerated drinks

Aerated drinks contain large amounts of sugar and sugar substitutes. With the addition of preservatives and colours, aerated drinks are always better to avoid. The high quantities of sugar affect the weight and its continuous long-term consumption can lead to obesity.

• Depression

Though depression is not directly linked to obesity, its various factors can cause weight gain. Weight management in itself can cause depression which in turn can become obesity. Mood swings can sometimes lead to food cravings and that in turn can have adverse after-effects.

Nevertheless, if you or someone you know is suffering from obesity you can treat the same with the help of a bariatric surgeon in Melbourne.

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Weight loss surgery is the new and the most effective surgical method to get rid of excess weight and live a healthier life. When people fail losing weight with traditional weight loss procedure, they opt for bariatric surgeries such as gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, etc. After you have made up your mind to go for a bariatric surgery procedure, the first thing to make sure is that you choose an expert professional for the job. The choice of weight loss surgeon makes a big difference in the type and quality of treatment you receive.

Owing to the modern development in medical science, there have been new forms of weight loss surgeries introduced, making it more than important to choose the right bariatric surgeon in Melbourne. To make things a bit easier for you, here are some of the tips you should consider whilst looking for a bariatric surgeon:

Check Out the Referrals

When looking for a reliable surgeon who can guide you through every step of the surgery, start asking for referrals from friends and family or someone who has already been through a bariatric surgery, you can also take help of your local doctor and other healthcare professionals. Although, the best option is to leverage the resources available on the Internet and research a few names in the field of bariatric surgery.

Evaluate the Credentials

After you have compiled a list of professional weight loss surgeons, it is time to compare and check their credentials in order to opt for the services of the right bariatric surgeon in Melbourne. When you are seeking a bariatric surgeon, examining their board certification is an absolute must. This is an important step to carry out because certification displays crucial information about the surgeon’s skills, training, and expertise required to monitor a successful weight loss surgery. Moreover, the accreditations will ensure that the surgeon has no case of malpractice or disciplinary actions associated to his name.

Examine the Hospital’s Reputation and Quality

As you have done checking the credentials of the bariatric surgeon, the next process is to consider the reputation and quality of the centre where you will undergo the treatment. The quality of the hospital or clinic matters because it directly deals with the post-operative complications. Apart from that, check whether the hospital is ideally located or not. Make sure that the hospital’s location sits well with your convenience so that you can easily come for follow-up appointments with your bariatric surgeon in Melbourne.

Get an Appointment and Analyse the Communication Style

As mentioned earlier, the selection of the right bariatric surgeon is necessary in order to achieve the right guidance throughout the surgery. This is only possible when the surgeon is able to communicate well with you and address your specific needs effectively. Choose a surgeon who has great listening skills along with a feeling of empathy and respects your decision to undergo a weight loss surgery.

The success rate of a weight loss surgery completely depends on the selection of the right bariatric surgeon. Make certain that you follow the above-mentioned tips while looking for a bariatric surgeon in Melbourne.

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