What is the Best Weight Loss Surgery?

How Does Obesity Affect You?

Obesity substantially contributes to

• preventable, non-communicable diseases,
• shortened life-expectancy and
• impaired quality of life.

Obesity is now challenging smoking as the major cause of potentially preventable death in Australia.

Related Conditions to Obesity

At least 80% of people with obesity will develop at least one of these conditions, and 60% will develop at least three. The list of medical problems related to obesity is long and continues to grow as more research in this field of medicine develops.

Obesity is linked to:

Early Death

Obese people have a 50% to 100% increased risk of premature death and shorter life expectancy.

Chronic Illness

Obesity is a major risk factor for chronic conditions such as

• Type 2 Diabetes,
• Heart disease,
• Hypertension or High Blood Pressure,
• High Cholesterol.
• Stroke,
• Musculoskeletal disorders and
• Impaired psychosocial functioning.

Avoidable Diseases

• Fatty Liver Disease,
• Breathing difficulties (e.g., sleep apnoea, asthma),
• Arthritis, and Back Pain, Pregnancy Complications,
• Gallbladder Problems,
• Urinary Incontinence,
• Anxiety, Depression, and
• Digestive disorders (eg., Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease)

Risk of Cancer

• Breast Cancer,
• Uterine Cancer, and
• Colon Cancer.

Obesity is avoidable and treatable. Many of the conditions and illnesses related to obesity can be resolved with weight loss.

What are the Causes of Obesity?

Weight gain and long-term obesity can be caused by a number of factors:

• Genetical background – positive family history
• Insulin Resistance
• Lack of Exercise
• Obesogenic environment i.e. driving vs walking, processed or fast foods, irregular diets, stress etc.

Symptoms of Obesity

Clinical obesity and weight gain can have a negative impact on your physical and mental health. Some symptoms of obesity include:

• Low back pain or Backaches.
• Feeling tired all the time.
• Heavy sweating.
• Joint pain (especially weight-bearing knee and hip joints).
• Low confidence or self-esteem.
• Shortness of breath.
• Snoring or Sleep Apnoea.

Obesity Diagnosis

The Body Mass Index (BMI) is the most commonly used method for determining a patient’s weight category. The BMI is calculated by dividing measured weight (kg) by the square of measured height (cm).

The diagnosis of Obesity requires

• Complete present and past history
• Complaints
• Review of family history
• Physical examination including, weight, height and waist measurement
• Blood tests
  

A GP may ask additional questions about your lifestyle and any potential underlying health issues.

Classification of Obesity

Morbid obesity also referred to as “clinically severe obesity” or “extreme obesity,” was defined as the criteria for bariatric surgery by the 1991 NIH Consensus Conference Statement on Gastrointestinal Surgery for Severe Obesity as a BMI ≥ 40 kg/m^2^ or a BMI ≥ 35 kg/m^2^ in the presence of high-risk comorbid conditions.

Obesity was further classified in the 1998 NIH Clinical Guidelines on the Identification, Evaluation, and Treatment of Overweight and Obesity in Adults into Class I, Class II, and Class III.