A Surgical Method to treat Obesity

Treating obesity can often be difficult. For people who have struggled with losing weight and are tired of failed diets, surgical weight loss can be a viable alternative. 

 

What is Bariatric Surgery?

Also known as weight loss or metabolic surgery, bariatric surgery is a procedure that causes weight loss by mechanically restricting the amount of food the stomach can hold. Patients who choose to undergo this procedure get fuller faster, eating less food (and calories) in a day thus leading to weight loss. There are several methods by which the surgeon can utilize to achieve this result. The most common operative procedures are the gastric bypass, a sleeve gastrectomy, adjustable gastric branding, gastric plication and using and an intragastric balloon. Your surgeon will decide together with you which method is the most suitable for your condition. 

 

Who is it for?

You may benefit from bariatric surgery if you have been diagnosed with obesity (BMI>30)** and are suffering from weight related health problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea amongst others. 

 

What are the risk associated with Bariatric Surgery?

While these surgeries are major, life-changing procedures, it isn’t for everyone. Like any surgery, it has significant risks and side effects. Specific risks related to the weight loss surgery include:

1. Leak/bleeding from staple line
2. Anastomotic stricture
3. Vitamin and/or mineral deficiencies
4. Altered bowel habits (ie. Constipation of Diarrhea)
5. Dehydration
6. Nausea and vomiting
7. Repeated surgical procedure

• repeated surgical procedures may be necessary
• to understand in greater detail the risks and benefits involved in these surgical procedures, do make an appointment with our surgeons. 

All of the bariatric treatments are performed at Oriental Melaka Straits Medical Centre. You will receive full guidance and support from our team of medical specialists. 

• Surgeons
• Physicians
• Dietitian
• Physiotherapist 
• Psychologist/Counsellors

If you are evaluated and found to be suitable for bariatric surgery, our medical team will design a comprehensive tailor made treatment plan and will support you closely during your hospitalization and continue to support you until your goals are achieved. 

 

**Source: Kasama K, Mui W, Lee WJ, Lakdawala M, Naitoh T, Seki Y, et al. IFSO-APC consensus statements 2011. Obes Surg. 2012;22:677-684. 

 

Our Surgeons