Surgical Procedure as a Treatment for Obesity Controversy

Prepared by Jennie Zakaryan For GSLIS 784 Prof. Kathel Dunn

Overview of the Problem It is fair to say that in the past two decades obesity has become one of the most common and threatening chronic diseases in the United States. The percent of obese adult increased from 13 to 21 between 1980 and 1991 among men and from 17 to 26 percent among women. The trend continued in 1999-2000 with an increase in obesity of 28 percent in men and 36 in women (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey)

Problems related to the Obesity High blood pressure Sleep apnea Diabetes Kidney failure Heart problems Cancer Lower quality of life Depression and anxiety Earlier mortality rate Cost to the society

Existing Options Drug therapy Exercises Diet Surgery: - malabsorptive - Restrictive - malabsorptive Adjustable Gastric Banding, Vertical Banded Gastroplasty, Gastric Bypass, Biliopancreatic Diversion and Duodenal Switch.

Existing Controversies: Lowers mortality? Which type of surgery is safest and most effective? Lack of information on postoperative care; Long-term outcome; Psychological consequences; Side effects

Conclusion Bariatric surgery can result in substantial improvements in weight and health. It can definitely help to take weight off and keep it off, improve most obesity-related conditions, get rid of the patients' diabetes, hypertension, sleeping apnea and other diseases, reduce the risk of premature death, and improve quality of life. It looks like more objective assessment tools and more survey’s are needed, but the process started and it is not possible to turn back.