Dubai Health Authority discusses morbid obesity and bariatric surgery during twitter clinic.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 1 August 2015: Specialists from the Dubai Health Authority discussed morbid obesity and treatment options during the DHA’s twitter clinic.

Information was disseminated to more than 78,000 followers of the DHA’s twitter page known as DHA_Dubai.

Dr Zaid Abdulaziz Al Maazami, consultant in general and bariatric surgery at Dubai Hospital, said:  “Bariatric surgery is not the only cure for obesity. Not all obese patients should opt for surgery. Patients who are morbidly obese — those with body mass indexes of 40 or higher- can opt for bariatric surgery, after they have exhausted all other weight-loss options. In this category, few people succeed in losing a significant amount of weight and maintaining the weight loss with non-surgical programs. Patients with a BMI of 30 and above, who have various co-morbidities such as diabetes etc. may also opt for bariatric surgery.”

He said the bariatric surgery clinic in Dubai hospital, first puts every patient that visits the hospital on a six month weight loss program with the clinical nutrition department. They also ensure patients visit a psychologist and specialists such as endocrinologists to tackle their diabetes.  “After six months, we evaluate the case. Not every patient is selected for bariatric surgery. Those who have shown improvement through non-surgical methods during the six month period are asked to continue the same plan. We highly recommend that patients should first consider weight loss through regular exercise and diet programs and they should take the assistance of health professionals to ensure the right way of weight loss, so that it can be sustained,” said Al Maazami.

He added that bariatric surgery is the most effective and successful long-term weight loss tool for the morbidly obese. However, patients should exhaust all other options before deciding to undergo surgery.

Al Maazami said: “In cases of morbid obesity, bariatric surgery helps patients tackle co-morbidities as well. Severely obese people suffer from various chronic conditions due to the obesity. The common ailments associated with obesity include sleep apnea, joint paints, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, acid reflux, urine incontinence etc.

“Post bariatric surgery, patients see a reduction or even elimination in 70 per cent of their co-morbidities. Many patients can reduce or even eliminate diabetes medication. High cholesterol and high blood pressure issues often diminish and patients commonly report improvements in joint pain and sleep apnea.”

However, he warned that bariatric surgery is not a one-stop solution and post-surgery patients need to follow a proper healthy diet that can be maintained life-long along with regular exercise.

Dr Farah Ibrahim Bakhit Juma, senior house officer in general surgery department at Dubai Hospital, said: “Patients are regularly followed up for one-year post-surgery and thereafter we recommend they continue to stay on track with their nutritional and exercise plan. Primarily patients need to accept responsibility for their health and wellbeing.”