The Clalit Research Institute indicates that the mortality rate of obese patients who underwent surgery was lower than that of the group that only followed dietary guidelines. The Health 10 Nutrition Unit adds that the correct selection of the patient, together with nutritional and psychological support before, during and after surgery by a multidisciplinary team, is probably the key to success.
The WHO calls obesity an “epidemic” and has pointed out the alarming increase in the number of obese and overweight people around the world, with the consequent increase in associated diseases.
Obesity surgery has been the subject of an observational study by the Clalit Reasearch Institute in Israel, confirming that people who underwent surgery had a longer life expectancy than those who simply followed nutritional advice. The study ran from 2005 to 2014 and included more than 33500 people, of whom 8385 underwent bariatric surgery.
The data do not imply that all obese people should undergo surgery but they open a door of optimism about the quality of life of the patient with obesity while reinforcing the efficacy of bariatric surgery.
Consequences of obesity on the human organism
On many occasions, patients with obesity suffer from diseases associated with it, called comorbidities, as well as serious health problems, such as cardiovascular pathologies, diabetes, hypertension, joint degeneration (for example, osteoarthritis), hypercholesterolemia; urinary incontinence, decreased fertility and the appearance of sexual dysfunctions such as lack of erection and absence of sexual desire are frequent in this group of the population which, unfortunately, is on the rise.
From Salud 10 we want to emphasize that, although obesity surgery opens a path of hope for obese people who did not achieve their proper weight through other methods, it cannot be considered a solution on its own. The correct selection of the patient, together with nutritional and psychological support before, during and after surgery by a multidisciplinary team, is probably the key to success.
During the diagnosis it is important to include a psychiatric evaluation of all those who wish to opt for this approach. The psychological approach to influence behavioral patterns as well as the belief system and degree of self-esteem of the obese person, have a clear effect on their subsequent ability to adhere to treatment.
Eating reeducation, in short, is essential to change the relationship with food permanently and the support of a multidisciplinary team is important to accompany and guide the patient throughout the process.