Our Guide to Obesity & Weight Loss Surgery

What is Obesity?

Obesity is a chronic complex condition which results in the body’s inability to maintain a ‘healthy’ weight. From a medical perspective, obesity is used to describe someone who has a ‘Body Mass Index’ (BMI) of greater than 30. BMI takes into account a person’s weight in relation to their height with a normal BMI being between 18.5 and 25.

Obesity can have a number of effects on your physical and mental health. It is strongly associated with the development of conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, arthritis, cancer and infertility to name but a few.

Calculate your BMI using our app, and carry on reading to understand more about obesity and what you can do today to take control of the situation.

What Causes Obesity?

The causes of obesity are multi-factorial and will not be the same for everyone. Obesity does not develop because of ‘eating too much’ and ‘not exercising enough’.

Play the video on the right for a better understanding of how the problem of obesity develops and continue reading below to see what can be done to treat it.

Am I Suitable For Weight Loss Surgery?

In the UK, guidance regarding suitability for weight-loss surgery is set by NICE – the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.  The guidelines are as follows:

– If your BMI is 40 or above, you can be considered for weight-loss surgery whether or not you also suffer from obesity related conditions such as type-2 diabetes or high blood pressure.

– If you suffer from medical conditions linked to obesity such as type-2 diabetes or high blood pressure, the BMI threshold for weight-loss surgery is lowered to 35 or above.

– If you have recently been diagnosed with or suffer from poorly controlled type-2 diabetes, surgery can be considered at a BMI of 30 and above.

What Are the Different Types of Weight Loss Surgery?

There are many different types of weight-loss procedures.  Some of these are in the experimental phase with limited data and information about their long term success.  At My Surgical Specialist, we offer only well-established procedures from the field of weight-loss surgery. These include:

– Gastric balloon

– Adjustable gastric band

– Sleeve gastrectomy

Roux-en-y gastric bypass

Single anastomosis or ‘mini’ gastric bypass

Each procedure has its own merits.  Our experts will take you through the different options available during your FREE no obligation consultation and answer any questions you may have about these or any other weight-loss surgeries.

Is Weight-Loss Surgery Safe?

Bariatric surgery is very safe. It is performed using keyhole (laparoscopic) surgery techniques which means that you can be discharged home with minimal pain and in most cases after just one night in hospital. The risk of serious complications such as death is extremely low (less than 0.2%) and much lower than many elective operations performed today. Play the video for a better understanding of the benefits of bariatric surgery.

During your preparation for surgery, Mr Alkhaffaf will explain all the associated risks and arrange further tests if necessary. All patients undergo a thorough pre-operative assessment by our trained experts. Following surgery, you will be looked after by our experienced team of bariatric nurses and dietitians. Certain medical conditions such as sleep apnoea will require you to be admitted to a high-dependency unit for added safety.

What is the Right Type of Weight Loss Surgery for Me?

No two people are the same when it comes to deciding about weight-loss surgery.  Choosing the right option for you depends on many factors including your BMI, age, medical conditions and personal circumstances. Our team of weight-loss experts will guide you through the decision-making process and give you the reassurance and peace of mind you need before you begin your journey.

Contact us now for your FREE no-obligation consultation.

Obesity & Weight Loss Surgery Guide

What is Obesity?

Obesity is a chronic complex condition which results in the body’s inability to maintain a ‘healthy’ weight. From a medical perspective, obesity is used to describe someone who has a ‘Body Mass Index’ (BMI) of greater than 30. BMI takes into account a person’s weight in relation to their height with a normal BMI being between 18.5 and 25.

Obesity can have a number of effects on your physical and mental health. It is strongly associated with the development of conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, arthritis, cancer and infertility to name but a few.

What Causes Obesity?

Play the video below for a better understanding of how the problem of obesity develops and continue reading below to see what can be done to treat it.

Am I Suitable For Weight Loss Surgery?

You may be suitable for weight-loss surgery if:

– Your BMI is 40 or above.

– Your BMI is 35 or above and you suffer from medical conditions linked to obesity such as type-2 diabetes or high blood pressure.

– Your BMI is 30 or above and have recently been diagnosed with or suffer from poorly controlled type-2 diabetes.

What Are the Different Types of Weight Loss Surgery?

At My Surgical Specialist, we offer only well-established procedures from the field of weight-loss surgery. These include:

– Gastric balloon

– Gastric band

– Sleeve gastrectomy

– Gastric bypass

Is bariatric surgery safe?

Bariatric surgery is very safe. It is performed using keyhole (laparoscopic) surgery techniques which means that you can be discharged home with minimal pain and in most cases after just one night in hospital. The risk of serious complications such as death is extremely low (less than 0.2%) and much lower than many elective operations performed today. Play the video for a better understanding of the benefits of bariatric surgery.

What is the Right Option for Me?

Choosing the right option for you depends on many factors including your BMI, age, medical conditions and personal circumstances. Our team of weight-loss experts will guide you through the decision-making process and give you the peace of mind you need before you begin your journey.

Contact us now for your FREE no-obligation consultation.