Obesity Surgery in Turkey

Obesity surgery has become one of the most common surgical operations as obesity has become a global health problem.  Also known as “overweight” or “fatty degeneration”, obesity is excessive increase of body fat. World Health Organisation defined obesity is “fat accumulation to harm health” and it is known that this problem causes various health problems. Statistics reported by World Health Organisation stated that obesity causes to diabetes, ischemic heart disease and hypertension and this diseases caused death of  more than 1 million people in Europe.

Reasons for Obesity

1. Neurologic factors
2. Physiologic factors
3. Psychologic problems
4. Excessive, incorrect and unhealthy eating habits
5. Genetic factors
6. Environmental factors

In addition to being a problem on its own, obesity can also trigger other health problems and this problem can be ended with surgical intervention. options include Sleeve Gastrectomy, Silicon Gastric Band and Gastric By-Pass.

Sleeve Gastrectomy: Sleeve gastrectomy is a surgical operation. In this operation, size of stomach tube is shrunk.

Silicon Gastric Band: This is also known as stomach staple. By placing a band around the stomach, stomach size is shrunk with surgical operation.

Gastric By-Pass: In this obesity surgery technique, certain part of small intestine is by-passed. This way, stomach volume is shrunk.

Things to Know Before Obesity Surgery

• This process starts with height-weight measurement of the patient.
• Suitable operation technique is selected for the patient.
• If the patient is using certain medications regularly, doctors must be informed before the operation.
• All necessary tests must be completed before the operation.
• Since operation will be conducted under general anaesthesia, patients should stop solid food intake before 12 hours and liquid before 8 hours.

Things to Know After Obesity Surgery

• 4 hours after the operation, the patient stands on his/her feet with the help of hospital personnel.
• Patient should stay in the hospital for two nights.
• After discharging from hospital, all medication prescribed by the doctors should be used in recommended way.
• In line with the operation, appropriate diet given by the doctor must be followed.
• Pain level can change for different patients. It is normal for the sutures to hurt for a week.
• Short-term loose bowel, constipation or reflux can occur due to change in eating habits.
• It is normal for the weight loss to slow down one month after the surgery.