Saudi Gazette report

 

AMID the alarming rise in obesity and chronic diseases that accompany it, losing weight using conventional methods is no longer an effective solution. Instead, many Saudis who suffer from diseases caused by poor lifestyle choices such as diet are opting to have risky surgeries that promise fast results, Al-Riyadh daily reported.



Vertical sleeve gastrectomy, a surgery in which a large portion of the patient’s stomach is removed, is the most common weight loss operation in the world as it achieves fast results with fewer complications compared to other surgeries.



However, any weight loss surgery can be potentially life-threatening if the patient does not meet the conditions for the surgery or if complications occur during the operation.



According to Professor Ayidh Al-Qahtani, consultant obesity and laparoscopy surgeon, the global increase in obesity rates has reached epidemic levels.



According to estimates for 2010/2011, weight increase and obesity caused the deaths of 3.4 million people. The deaths were attributed to complications resulting from weight increase.



“A field survey was carried out in 2013 covering all regions of the Kingdom. Over 20,000 citizens participated in the survey. It showed that the rate of obesity has reached advanced stages.



 As far as children and young adults are concerned, international studies have shown that there is a noticeable increase in obesity among children and adolescents at the world level. It has increased by 50 percent during the past 35 years.



Weight loss surgeries are the only solution for patients suffering from excessive obesity as they can lose 70 percent of excess fat in two years.



The majority of people who undergo such surgeries are women,” said Al-Qahtani. “People suffering from obesity resort to weight loss surgery only after trying different diet regimens without any success.



Surgical operations including bypass surgery and vertical sleeve gastrectomy, both of which do not only lead to weight loss but treat many chronic diseases accompanying obesity like diabetes, hypertension, shortness of breath during sleep and irregular menstruation,” he added.



Al-Qahtani said after analyzing the percentage of patients who recover from obesity-related diseases following weight loss surgery, it became apparent that the surgical option was the best choice for the majority of patients.



“The percentage of recovery from these diseases exceeds 95 percent. There has been increasing interest in weight loss operations in recent years and this is partly due to the high levels of obesity at both the national and international levels and increasing awareness in society on the harms of obesity and its effect on public health.



The development of laparoscopy is another reason for the rise in weight loss surgeries.

Laparoscopy has contributed to decreasing surgical complications and the recuperation period,” he said.



Dr. Abdulrahman Salim, consultant in general surgery and laparoscopy at Specialist Medical Center Hospital in Riyadh, said obesity has spread in the Kingdom at an alarming rate. He attributed passive lifestyles, high-calorie diets and a lack of exercise as the leading causes of obesity in Saudi Arabia.



“Among other causes of obesity are genetic disorders including slow burning of energy in the body in what is known as slow metabolism. There might be a defect in the patient’s hormones like a lack of secretions from the thyroid gland or the adrenal gland,” he said.



Every cell and organ is affected negatively by obesity. Obese patients’ chances of getting an education, married and a job are much less than people who are healthy.



“Surgical intervention and weight-loss operations can be life-saving if obesity and its problems and complications have reached a level where the patient’s life is in danger. Examples include obese patients suffering from shortness of breath during sleep, diabetes, high blood pressure, infertility and severe arthritis that prevents movement,” he added.



The increase in obesity in the Kingdom requires adopting a national project to recognize obesity as a health problem of the utmost priority.



Also, children should drastically reduce their intake of high-calorie foods and exercise regularly.

Sports clubs and gyms should be established in all districts with the support of local municipalities, he said.