Obesity is the single most pressing health problem of our time and ‘growing’. Dieting and exercise simply doesn’t work for the majority of sufferers. Invasive surgery can result in impressive weight loss but has complications rates of 10-18 per cent, according to US data.
So, what are the specific conditions associated with obesity? There appears to be an unending list but here are some of the more common ones.
Type II Diabetes: The majority of Type II diabetes is caused by obesity and its severity increases with weight.
Reflux: Reflux is caused by unhealthy weight gain and higher grades of obesity.
Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA): The “snoring” disease is increasing in line with the obesity epidemic, causing day time sleepiness, high blood pressure, reflux and heart failure.
Osteoarthritis (OA): OA of the knee, hips and ankles and back pain are caused and accelerated by excessive weight.
Hypertension: High blood pressure is closely associated with obesity. This leads to complications like heart attacks or failure, poor circulation and strokes.
Fertility: Obesity reduces the fertility of women. It increases the irregularity of periods, reduces response to fertility treatments, increases miscarriages and is associated with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome.
Psychological effects: Obesity can directly cause mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. Obese people with young children can feel like they are missing out because they can’t keep up with the young ones.
Social effects: Obese people are more likely to suffer discrimination and prejudice in some situations such as employment opportunities, travel, healthcare and retail. In warmer climates such as tropical North Queensland and the NT, personal hygiene is also an issue. Fatty folds are extremely difficult to ventilate and keep sweat free.
Economic effects: Obese patients are known for trying all sorts of therapy and gimmicks over their lifetime in a futile bid to lose their excess weight. They could spend a small fortune on slimming herbs, diet shakes/meals, gym memberships and personal trainers. However, the vast majority of people cannot lose enough weight purely through dieting and exercise.
The community has been crying out for a non-invasive weight loss procedure. Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty (ESG) is a new revolutionary non-surgical weight loss technique that is performed with a camera through the mouth. The stomach is stitched up internally to result in a 75 per cent reduction in capacity, and complication rates are quoted at one per cent in the latest US studies. Patients typically leave the hospital the next morning and are back to normal activities in three days.
Weight loss of 20-25 per cent has been reported. ESG works best for patients with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30-40. As a patient gains more weight, the brain ‘resets’ at the higher level and resists attempts to lose weight. At a BMI of 30-40, a person still has a reasonable chance of ‘resetting’ their brain and making the necessary changes to maintain a healthier weight and lifestyle with the assistance of ESG.
ESG is a technically demanding weight loss procedure, and the device manufacturer will only work with elite Endoscopists like those at Cairns Gastroenterology who have a combined experience of over 45,000 endoscopic procedures spanning 16 years.
For more information on this exciting new procedure, visit Cairns Gastro or call 4041 2877.
