Today Tamaulipas – Successful bariatric surgery in 80% of obese patients

Nashville, (Notimex) .- Bariatric surgery is an important factor in promoting weight loss in late-stage obese patients, which has been successful in 80% of cases, but does not cure this disease itself.

Patients must adopt healthy, lifelong habits that require the will of the person and the support of the family to avoid gaining weight.

Although 20% of patients who undergo surgery and do not get the expected result or feel that they can not cope with the effects of surgery, are more likely to look for another reward mechanism such as that alcohol and tendency to suicide.

During the presentation at the Congress of the week of obesity a successful study of cases of bariatric surgery performed by the National Institute of Medical Sciences and Nutrition "Salvador Zubirán" (INCMNSZ) , it was announced that the majority reacted well to this type of treatment. treatment

Of the 77 patients included in the program, with a body mass index (BMI) of 46, with an average age of 39 years, mainly women, it was observed that 80% managed to reduce at least half of the extra kilograms J & # 39; had

In general, the patient's ability to limit food intake, response to abundant food, eating in certain emotional states (anxiety and depression) and the degree of hunger they experienced were assessed.

The 20% who did not get the desired results said they were more hungry than the success cases and in this group they should look for the causes of a wrong response to the surgery.

In these cases, there may be anxiety, cravings, a different hormonal response, a lack of protein that gives satiety or environmental causes affecting less weight loss.

In an interview, Verónica Vázquez Velázquez, a psychologist at the INCMNSZ Clinic for Obesity and Eating Disorders, expressed concern that these people would be those who, over time, have a greater weight loss or fall into a depressive image. and other unhealthy habits.

"It has been reported that this can increase the consumption of alcohol in some patients and that when the food can no longer give the satisfaction it's given before changing the reward system, it has also been describes that the suicide rate among postoperative patients is higher (four percent) than obese people without surgery, "he said.

He indicated that during follow-up consultations, physicians should be aware of any signs of any of these behaviors in order to provide them with emotional support and give them the feeling that they can find help. other solutions.

He explained that by not realizing the expected weight loss, the body image by the impact of the surgery that made the skin hang, did not improve their working conditions or family and the constant fight against obesity which is a chronic and incurable disease. these are the main factors that make them depressed.

Before the bariatric surgery, 60% of the patients presented an anxiety and 50% a depression; After the procedure, if the person has psychological support, less than half may be depressed, said the specialist.

Vázquez Velázquez pointed out that lost patients after surgery could be the ones with the highest risk of depression and weight gain.

Therefore, emphasized the importance of the family in this process of accompaniment and that the patient can move forward with his dietary plan and his physical activity, because the treatment is for life because surgery alone does not cure obesity.