BARIATRIC SURGERY
Unfortunately, the number of obese people in our country is increasingly alarming and the percentage of obese people continues to grow. Close to 40% of adults areis overweight and 15% of children are obese. In other countries of the world, this percentage is higher.
However, obesity is not just an aesthetic problem: it is associated with a number of illnesses, such as diabetes and sleep apnea, as well as cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, heart attack, cerebral hemorrhages and deep vein thrombosis. According to a recent publication in the United States, obese individuals have a higher chance of developing cancer.
For these reasons, there is an urgent need to open centres that specialise in the treatment of these patients.
At Instituto Pérez de la Romana we have created the Obesity Unit, where we address the problem of obesity in an integrated manner, which is the most modern and correct approach. To do this, we work with a number of different types of specialists (endocrinologists, gastroenterologists, psychologists, physiotherapists, bariatric surgeons and plastic surgeons). Using this approach, irrespective of the extent of their obesity (whether minimal, intermediate or morbid), patients will be able to receive suitable, controlled treatment at all times from specialists highly qualified in the treatment of these patients to obtain optimal results.
TYPES OF BARIATRIC SURGERY:
MILD OBESITY
Aimed at individuals who wish to lose 5-10 kilos. This approach consists of studying eating habits and providing advice on the most suitable low-calorie diets in each case and recommending physical exercise specifically for each person. It also consists of helping them more easily adopt various diets and to change certain lifestyle habits so that they can achieve their weight loss in a comfortable and stable manner. This type of treatment is developed by the endocrinologist, the psychologist and the physiotherapist.
INTERMEDIATE OBESITY
Aimed at people who want to lose up to 10-15 kilos (about 10% of their body weight) . A type of limited bariatric surgery, called the sleeve technique, is required. This technique consists of inserting a tube in the stomach and is a short operation that produces a good and stable result.
TREATMENT OF MILD OBESITY
Aimed at individuals who need to lose more than 30-40 kilos (more than 30% of their body weight). This group of patients is the group in which the greatest changes due to weight loss and change in appearance were observed. To achieve this outcome,a stomach reduction and an intestinal bypass are required.
These procedures are known as bariatric surgery and are directed by Dr. Aniceto Baltasar, a pioneer of bariatric surgery in Spain.
The physical changes seen in these patients are spectacular, as are the changes in their mood. The only thing left for these patients is to eliminate excess skin on the body: when a person loses a large amount of weight, skin accumulates on the chest, back, arms, abdomen and thighs. Eliminating this tissue leads to excellent results for the patient, whether they are dressed or not.
WHO SHOULD BE TREATED WITH OBESITY SURGERY?
Only individuals who suffer from morbid obesity and who need to lose more than 30 to 40 kilos.
There are three types of procedure: