Obesity: A Safer Way to Lose Weight

KUALA LUMPUR, Wed. – Obese people now have a safer way to reduce their

weight through a new surgical procedure which minimises the risk of major

diseases and boosts self-confidence.

A technique called “Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding”, or “lap-

band”, is said to reduce appetite and slow digestion, creating a feeling

of fullness which leads the patient to eat less.

After successful clinical trials in Australia, France, Italy and the

United States, this technology is now available here.

Lap-band surgery is performed “laparoscopically” by placing an

inflatable band around the upper part of the stomach (see graphic).

The new, small, upper stomach pouch and a narrowed outlet reduces the

stomach capacity.

The consequent reduction in food intake results in weight loss.

The procedure is said to be the least invasive surgical option as there

is no cutting or stapling of the stomach wall or bowel.

There are few potential side-effects and risks, including a

significantly lower mortality risk, said Prof Paul O’Brien, a consultant

lap- band surgeon.

The Pantai Medical Centre in Bangsar has conducted five such operations.

“The system is also adjustable and reversible.

“Once implanted, the band can be tightened or loosened via the balloon

on its inner surface that can be inflated or deflated with saline,” said

O’Brien, Emeritus Professor of Surgery at the Australian Monash

University.

Studies have shown that obese patients on diets, exercise programmes or

medication could lose about 10 per cent of their body weight but tend to

regain two-thirds of it within a year and almost all of it within five

years.

Patients who have undergone lap-band surgery are monitored for several

years after the operation.

Some 1.15 billion adults were overweight in 2003 and 300 million were

at risk of contracting heart disease, cancer or Type-2 diabetes, O’Brien

said.

He added there had been a major surge in obesity around the world, a

trend from which Malaysia was not spared.

“We have a problem that is understated and increasing.

“In Malaysia, 27 per cent of the adult population is obese and these

are 1996 figures, which are already a real worry.

“Now, it could be double that,” he said at a seminar on morbid obesity

and lap-band surgery at Pantai Medical Centre.

O’Brien also warned that people with a body mass index (BMI) of above

27 were at risk of disease.

BMI equals a person’s body weight in kilograms divided by height in

metres squared (BMI=kg/m2).

While the surgery looks to benefit obese patients, they would have to

dig deep into their pockets. Pantai Medical Centre said it costs RM8,000

per patient, including the band, which costs RM3,000.

Deputy Health Minister Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad, who opened the

seminar, said the Government may consider bearing the cost of the

operation in special cases if the patient purchased the band.