What Is Morbid Obesity?

• Morbid obesity is a disease, which is chronic and lifelong
• Causative factor of the disease is due to excessive fat storage

What is BMI?

• BMI or Body Mass Index is a measure of calculating a person’s excess weight
• It is calculated by the following formula:
  BMI = Weight [in kg]/(Height [in m.] x Height [in m.])
• The BMI of a person is classified as follows:

Average built	21-25
Over weight	25-30
Obsese	30-40
Morbidity Obese	>40

How does morbid obesity differ from being overweight/obese?

• Being overweight an obese are reversible conditions that can be treated by medical management whereas morbid obesity requires surgical intervention
• The body mechanisms that control a person’s weight are set in such a manner in morbidly obese patients that they gain weight easily
• These patients find it difficult to lose weight and even more difficult to sustain it.

What are the risks associated with morbid obesity?

Morbid obesity is an extreme health hazard with medical, psychological, social, physical and economic co-morbidities.

• There is increased risk of developing high blood pressure, diabetes (type 2), heart disease, stroke, gallstone disease, cancer of breast, prostate and colon
• Morbidly obese persons are victims of prejudice and public ridicule due to their size. This repeated mental trauma leads to psychological illnesses such as depression
• Discrimination at work results in poor socio-economic conditions
• Morbid obesity is a treatable cause of early preventable deaths

Why should morbid obesity be treated?

• Morbid obesity is a disease like any other disease
• It has become necessary to recognize this entity as a cause of severe mental and physical morbidity which shows significant improvement following weight loss. It is more important for the patients themselves to understand this disease, its morbid implications and their inability to control it on their own.

What is bariatric surgery?

Bariatric surgery is a treatment option for patients with morbid obesity

• This surgery helps you lose weight by altering your body’s food digestion and absorption.
• There are several surgical options, each having their benefits and risks.

Is morbid obesity surgery for you?

You will qualify for morbid obesity if:

• You are classified as morbidly obese (BMI more than 40)
• Your BMI is 35 – 40 with severe obesity related medical conditions e.g. diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, Arthritis etc.
• Other methods of weight loss (dietary/medicines) have been unsuccessful
• You are unable to perform routine activities/daily chores due to the weight problem
• You have understood the surgical procedure for weight loss; the risks and after effects involved and are committed to making lifelong behavioural changes pertaining to dietary and physical activities

How does morbid obesity surgery change your life?

Lifestyle adjustments:

What complications can these stones cause?

• Patient must learn to eat food in small amounts and to chew it well and slowly
• Follow-up is necessary in the first year after surgery and then as advised by your surgeon for dietary/nutritional counseling
• Weight loss starts soon after surgery and continues for 2 years
• Improvements occur in obesity related medical conditions, with almost 60% patients not requiring medication
• There is enhanced quality of life with improved stamina, mood, self esteem and body image
• Obesity surgery is not a cosmetic surgery, in fact plastic surgery may be required following weight loss after obesity surgery.

Care for the morbidly obese requires a comprehensive set-up. The management team comprises of the Surgeon, Dietician, Endocrinologist, Physician, Cardiologist, Physiotherapist and Psychologist.

Post operative instructions and information

• After the surgery, you will be kept in the Intensive Care Unit overnight.
• You will be sleepy immediately after the operation due to sedation given during anaesthesia and during recovery period.
• You may have some discomfort when coming out of the effect of sedation. It gradually reduces to a tolerable level within a few minutes without any painkiller injections. You should try to avoid these drugs because they produce drowsiness and you may sleep for a longer period which is not desirable.
• You may feel nauseated in the immediate post-operative period. In this case you must inform the nurse so that appropriate medication may be given to prevent vomiting, as it is not desirable.
• You must try to move your limbs immediately after the surgery. You will then be gradually mobilized during the day following surgery. Your catheter shall be removed and you will be free to use the washroom on your own.
• There is no restriction on your physical activity. You are allowed to walk as soon as you are moved to your room. You are free to climb stairs. However you must avoid lifting heavy weight for 4-6 weeks following surgery.
• You shall be discharged once your oral intake of fluids reaches 1.5-2liters per day.
• There will be a pipe attached to your abdomen which will be removed during your follow-up appointment
• Your follow-up appointment is usually 1 week after discharge from the hospital

We wish you the best…

This is not a substitute for medical advice. In case of query, please contact your Doctor.