Obesity is now one of the leading health conditions in most countries. It is associated with other diseases like hypertension and diabetes (collectively called metabolic syndrome) and can reduce life expectancy by up to 15 years. This means that a healthy man who could have lived up to the age of 80 will pass away at the age of 65.
The most common reasons for obesity amongst the UAE population can linked to:
- Improper and unhealthy diet and nutrition
- Lack of physical activity
- Genetic factors and predispositions
- Drastic changes in cultural and social environments – primarily referring to the large population of expats who have chosen to settle in the UAE
- A link to certain medical issues and ailments, such as PCOS or thyroid disorders
Obesity, if ignored in the long-term, can inevitably lead to a myriad of health complications and issues such as breathing issues, cardiac problems, diabetes, cancers, joint issues, depression, and more.
In general, people aim to lose weight through natural methods like walking daily and sticking to a low-calorie diet. However, the weight-loss from the aforementioned is usually temporary and is easily regained due to inconsistency in lifestyle choices and healthy food habits. For people who struggle to keep the weight off, modern non-invasive methods such as intragastric ballooning are available. This balloon is placed through a ten-minute endoscopic procedure, with a guaranteed weight loss of 10-15 kg without surgery.
Modern technology has invented the pill balloon, which only requires the patient to swallow it, thus avoiding even the endoscopic procedure.
However, for those with morbid obesity and metabolic syndrome who require massive weight loss to avoid cardiac issues including cardiac deaths, bariatric surgery is an excellent option to consider.
Bariatric Surgery is also the only known cure for diabetes and hypertension in the world and can produce a dramatic, sustainable weight loss of 40–60 kg in just a few months. The effects of this surgery will last throughout a person’s lifetime, and drastically reduces the risk of cardiac related deaths and extends an individual’s life span. With advancements in the field of laparoscopic surgery, these procedures can be done with very minimal scars, and sometimes can even completely scarless!
To know more about our surgical and non-surgical treatment options for obesity, please contact Dubai London Hospital on 800 352 and consult one of our specialists today!
