Treatment for obesity

Obesity can be considered a universal epidemic and constitutes a major public health problem, especially in developed countries. It is a chronic disease characterized by an excessive accumulation of body fat, which predisposes to diseases as important as diabetes , cardiovascular diseases or even some tumors. The most important thing is to become aware of the disease and seek help in specialized units to find the most effective therapeutic alternative. The obese patient needs an integral approach carried out by a multidisciplinary team in order to guarantee the best results, not only in weight loss but also in the analysis and treatment of those disorders that may contribute to obesity and obesity. the complications derived from it.

The basic treatment of obesity is to modify the lifestyle, which includes changes in eating habits and increased physical activity. In addition, the psychological support constitutes a support to the medical treatment facilitating the acquisition of correct alimentary habits and improving the adherence to the treatment. Approaching a balance between physical health and mental health benefits our quality of life.

In those obese patients in whom the repeated failure of conventional treatments has been proven, and the absence of contraindications, the surgical treatment should be evaluated.. Laparoscopic surgery (non-open surgery) simplifies the postoperative course and reduces hospitalization. Although, the techniques that offer better long-term results, with the minimum post-operative and metabolic complications for the patient, are the implantation of an adjustable gastric band around the stomach and the gastric bypass .

The only long-term curative solution for patients with severe or morbid obesity is obesity surgery, bariatric surgery. It is estimated that patients with morbid obesity who are operated live, on average, 12 years more than those patients with morbid obesity who are not operated. In addition, surgery significantly improves the complications associated with obesity: hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, heart and coronary disease, sleep apnea.

These techniques are complemented by a program led by the endocrinologist , in which the patient maintains weekly visits with the dietetic specialist to design a diet tailored to them and attends group therapy sessions to facilitate the modification of their erroneous lifestyle habits. in order to achieve the weight loss goals set.