We believe that many individuals who are overweight or obese genuinely want to lose weight. However, achieving this goal can be quite challenging, leading many to feel discouraged and seek assistance. One option that might not be widely known is weight loss surgery, which can provide significant and sustainable results. It is considered a safe and standard medical treatment for obesity today.
The Importance of Addressing Obesity
Obesity not only affects one’s appearance but can also lead to numerous health issues. Excess fat can accumulate in various organs, increasing the risk of severe conditions that may even be life-threatening, such as: Heart disease, Sleep apnea and Increased risk of other serious illnesses. Addressing obesity can eliminate the root of these health problems, prevent disease, and restore good health.
How to Lose Weight When You’re Significantly Overweight
If you’re significantly overweight and looking to shed those extra pounds, there are 3 medically recommended methods that are effective and safe today:
- Diet Control: This involves consuming between 800-1200 calories per day or following a recognized weight-loss plan such as Atkins, Low-Carbohydrate, Intermittent Fasting, or the Mediterranean Diet. These methods can help you lose about 6-9% of your body weight.
- Exercise: Engaging in moderate exercise, reaching at least Zone 2 or 60-80% of your maximum heart rate for at least 30 minutes a day, five days a week, can also lead to a weight loss of about 6-9%.
- Weight Loss Surgery: This can result in a weight loss of approximately 18-40%. This significant reduction can help alleviate 60-93% of obesity-related conditions and prevent various diseases associated with excess body fat, including certain types of cancer.
What About Weight Loss Medications?
Some may wonder about using medications for weight loss. However, these are not typically suitable for general use. Weight loss medications often stimulate metabolism beyond normal levels and require a thorough understanding of individual health conditions. Only a few effective medications exist, and they should be managed by healthcare professionals. There are no over-the-counter.
weight loss drugs that are medically safe, so it’s crucial to avoid self-medicating.
Considering Weight Loss Surgery
Not everyone is a candidate for weight loss surgery. Specific criteria must be met, including
- Age: Between 18 and 65 years old
- BMI: Greater than 37.5 kg/m²
- BMI of 32.5-37.49 kg/m²: Must be accompanied by diabetes or at least two – obesity-related conditions
- Previous Efforts: Must have tried diet and exercise without success
No Contraindications: Must not have conditions such as cancer, substance abuse disorders, severe psychiatric conditions, or an inability to care for oneself post-surgery
Common obesity-related conditions include: Diabetes, High blood pressure, High cholesterol, Heart disease, Sleep apnea, Joint pain and osteoarthritis, Fatty liver disease and Infertility
How Does Weight Loss Surgery Work?
Weight loss surgery operates on three main principles:
- Reducing Food Intake: The size of the stomach is reduced, leading to quicker feelings of fullness.
- Decreasing Nutrient Absorption: The surgical alteration of the digestive tract reduces the time food spends in contact with digestive enzymes and absorption sites.
- Hormonal Adjustment: Surgery can help regulate hormones that control hunger and satiety, improving overall metabolic function.
These mechanisms collectively lower the caloric intake significantly more than traditional methods of dieting alone. As a result, the body begins to burn stored fat, leading to weight loss and improvement in various health functions. Many patients even find that they no longer suffer from obesity-related conditions.
In today’s world, two standard and globally recognized methods of weight loss surgery are gaining popularity:
- Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy: This procedure involves reducing the size of the stomach significantly while keeping enough stomach tissue to meet the body’s needs. By removing the part of the stomach that produces hunger hormones, this surgery effectively decreases both food intake and hormonal signals related to appetite.
- Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass: This method combines stomach size reduction with rerouting the digestive tract. It skips most of the stomach and parts of the small intestine responsible for high nutrient absorption. While it requires more steps and takes longer to perform, it can lead to more significant weight loss and better resolution of obesity-related diseases, especially diabetes.
Some may worry about long-term nutritional deficiencies post-surgery. However, as long as patients take prescribed vitamins and minerals, they should not experience any deficiencies.
In the initial weeks after surgery, patients can lose nearly ten kilograms, with a total weight loss of 50-80% of excess weight or 18-40% of their current weight within the first 6 to 12 months. After this peak, weight may stabilize or fluctuate slightly based on individual lifestyle choices and behaviors. Thus, surgery serves as a powerful tool to jumpstart the weight loss journey.
Both surgical methods are less intimidating than they may seem. They are performed laparoscopically under general anesthesia, resulting in small incisions, minimal pain, and quick recovery. The sleeve surgery typically lasts 1-2 hours, while the bypass takes about 3-5 hours. Most patients spend only 2-3 days in the hospital before returning home.
The risk of complications is low, ranging from 0-7%. The choice of surgical method is tailored to each individual, taking into account their unique circumstances. Post-surgery, patients should rest at home for about 2-4 weeks to adapt to their new digestive system. Rapid weight loss can lead to improvements in various health conditions, often allowing patients to reduce their medication for chronic illnesses.
Ongoing Support and Care
Weight loss surgery is just the beginning of a transformative journey. It simplifies dietary control, particularly for individuals with significant obesity or related health conditions that make weight loss challenging. Long-term success in maintaining weight loss relies on ongoing commitment to self-care.
Each person’s health status, lifestyle, and preferences vary, which is why a multidisciplinary healthcare team—including specialists, dietitians, and physical therapists—provides continuous support and guidance throughout the surgical process and recovery.
Dr. Benjaporn Nantasanti
Specialist in Laparoscopic Surgery
Advanced Technology Surgery Center
Phayathai 3 Hospital
