According to the 2015 annual report from the Non-Communicable Diseases Division, Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health, it was stated that the Thai population aged 15-79 years with obesity accounted for 9.8% in females and 5.0% in males. When obesity reaches this level, there is a risk of diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, as well as cancer. Research published in the New England Journal of Medicine indicates that obesity causes premature death worldwide due to these complications, as high as 4 million people per year!!
To address the severe health threat of obesity, we have spoken with Lieutenant General Dr. Sutthachit Leenanont, Director of the Surgery Center and a specialist surgeon in weight loss surgery at Phyathai 2 Hospital about approaches to solving obesity… through gastric surgery.
Gastric Surgery… for Better Health Again
Dr. Sutthachit explained that if an obese patient has a body mass index (BMI) of 37 or higher, mostly weighing over 100 kilograms, or has a BMI of 32 along with complications, doctors will use gastric surgery to help patients adjust their lifestyle. This method is internationally recognized by the World Health Organization.
“I must clarify that this method is not aimed at enhancing beauty. The principle is to reduce the size of the stomach, so the patient eats less but feels full longer. This helps obese patients lose weight quickly, have the chance to return to normal life, and regain good health. In Thailand, surgeons have been using this method for over 10 years, gaining expertise and continuously improving tools and safe techniques with increasingly satisfactory results.”
4 Golden Rules Patients Must Follow After Surgery
“Before surgery, I discuss and ensure the patient understands and can strictly follow the post-surgery health care rules, which are: Do not eat when not hungry, avoid high-energy drinks, exercise continuously for 30 minutes daily, and finally, do not drink water with meals. Allow food to stay in the stomach as long as possible, at least 30 minutes to 1 hour before drinking water, to maintain a feeling of fullness. If patients seriously follow these 4 rules, the surgery will be most successful.”
Differences Between Types of Gastric Weight Loss Surgery
- Gastric Bypass Surgery involves making the upper stomach smaller and shortening the length of the intestine where food passes, reducing food intake and absorption. This method can be done laparoscopically, reducing hospital stay time. The surgery takes about 1 hour with a 3-day recovery period. It helps maintain stable weight long-term and reduces the risk of complications, especially type 2 diabetes. This method is an interesting new approach to treating type 2 diabetes.
- Sleeve Gastrectomy involves removing the lower part of the stomach that produces the hunger hormone. Patients feel full faster, lose weight quickly, and maintain stable weight. This method is also done laparoscopically with a 3-day recovery period. After surgery, patients can resume normal daily activities.
If patients strictly follow the 4 rules, Dr. Sutthachit confirms that on average, patients can lose nearly half their weight within 1-2 years. This is truly a life-changing weight loss. For example, one patient weighed 147 kilograms before surgery, reduced to 98 kilograms after 6 months, and 89 kilograms after 8 months.
The doctor concluded that… once the surgeon has performed the operation with full precision, cooperation from the patient is required to maintain discipline, create new habits, and build a new life with the same determination. Only then will weight loss surgery be effective and sustainable.
Lieutenant General Dr. Sutthachit Leenanont
Director of the Surgery Center
and Specialist Surgeon in Weight Loss Surgery
