Bariatric Surgery ( or weight loss surgery ) is a procedure that helps and targets treating individuals with excessive obesity .

Moreover , it is likely no surprise that more and more people are gaining weight , and the number of obese or overweight individuals in Malaysia has escalated to about 45 %, In fact , Malaysia has one of the highest rates of obesity and overweight in the Asia Pacific region . Bariatric Surgery ( or weight loss surgery ) is a procedure that helps and targets treating individuals with excessive obesity . �Although bariatric surgery is originally designed to promote treatment to the obese patients , today the term ‘ metabolic surgery ’ is used as it has remarkable positive outcomes for those with metabolic syndromes such as Type 2 Diabetes� , said Consultant General & Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeon , Dr �eap Chee Loong .

In addition to that , the STAMPEDE study , which is a landmark paper published by The New England Journal of Medicine supports that Bariatric Surgery has proven its effectiveness with significant improvements to Type 2 Diabetes obese patients , compared with pharmaceutical intervention . �Obese diabetic patients who had undergone bariatric surgery had a greater capacity to control blood sugar with much fewer diabetes medication . Apart from weight-loss goals , it simultaneously leads to a healthier lifestyle and can change a person ’ s life for the better , � he said .

With more research , recently in India shows that the effect of bariatric surgery is profound in pre-existing diabetes patients . While diabetes is viewed as a chronic disease , bariatric surgery offers an unprecedented change� major improvement or even complete disease remission . Amongst insulin-dependent patients , this surgical treatment shows greater reduction in insulin usage hence it can effectively improve or even resolve diabetes .

On top of that , International Diabetes Organisation ( IDO ) suggests metabolic surgery treatment as an option for patients with Class 3 Obesity . Nonetheless , Class 1 Obesity patients may consider surgical treatment , particularly in uncontrolled diabetes obese individuals .

Dr �eap said that metabolic surgery is recommended as option for Type 2 Diabetes overweight and obese patients , according to the Clinical Practice Guidelines 2015 by the Ministry of Health of Malaysia . However , the formidable challenge in Malaysia is the prejudicial attitude towards bariatric surgery in general public , the Consultant said .

Besides , the lack of motivation and public awareness in Malaysia remains as obstacle . Dr �eap also said , financial help for weight loss surgery is a struggle to many patients despite its importance in improving their health and lifestyle .

�It is most important for practitioners to educate diabetes with excessive weight patients to mark bariatric surgery or metabolic surgery as the treatment option� , he said .

This operation can be performed laparoscopically in comparison to open surgery . Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy � �oux-en-� Gastric Bypass are two of the more commonly performed methods in bariatric surgery . These procedures aim to make the stomach smaller , which results in one ’ s ingested food amount to reduce and consequently you will feel full with less food . Not only that , hormone physiological changes after bariatric surgery provide marked improvement in sugar control . �For most patients with diabetes and excessive weight , there may be a chance to view life in a totally different way after weight loss surgery . Together with good aftercare , this is a life-changing surgery� , elaborated Dr �eap . �Imagine the weight loss journey for some of these obese individuals who are now running marathons , at the same time effectively achieving their ideal healthy weight� , he said .

Dr Yeap Chee Loong Consultant General , Upper Gastrointestinal and Obesity Surgeon Consultant Robotic and Laparoscopic Surgeon Gleneagles Hospital Kuala Lumpur

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