bariatric surgery Archives - Digestive Surgery Clinic

Apr 30 Comments Off

Bariatric surgery for children

Posted by Dr. Sarfaraz Baig

Is your child obese? Does he sit quietly in the house not wanting to go to school or play with other children? Is he or she snoring? Are her periods not normal?

If yes, your child could be harbouring the ill effects of obesity and he or she will need prompt treatment.

The childhood obesity could easily qualify to be one of the top problems the world is facing today because of the magnitude.

The causes of this tsunami of obese children have been plenty- food and inactivity being the major driving force.

There are some important reasons why we should not ignore obese children

1. It is incorrectly thought by parents that once they grow in height they would lose their bulges. Sadly, it does not happen that way! Most of these children are going to remain obese till adulthood.

2. We are now facing, for the first time in the history of mankind, the threat that the survival of this generation will be shorter than our predecessor! This is unprecedented!

3. Obese children suffer, just like adults, with diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, liver disease, heartburns, snoring and immobility. They have major psychosocial issues like poor self-esteem and lack of confidence. Many are ridiculed in school and shy away from group activities and interpersonal communication. This leads to abnormal development and growth that may result in permanent psychological trauma.

Treatment of obese children is a complex task. It needs involvement of parents, paediatricians, nutritionists, psychologists and bariatric surgeons.

In our center we evaluate each case individually and adopt the appropriate step. The initial strategy is always dietary and environmental modifications along with behaviour therapy. Sometimes bariatric surgery is needed.

Mostly we wait for skeletal maturity before taking up this surgery. However, in exceptional circumstances, when obesity is so crippling as to precipitate florid diabetes, high blood pressure and significant immobility and psychosocial issues then one must consider the bariatric surgery before it’s too late. There have been instances when waiting has been counter productive leading to permanent damage and in these situations an early bariatric surgery is beneficial.

In summary, obesity is in the rise in children. Prevention is the key and treatment whenever necessary has to be multidisciplinary in a centre where nutritionists, psychologists, endocrinologists and Bariatric surgeons work in tandem.

Apr 29 Comments Off

Fatty liver? Cirrhosis? Bariatric surgery can help!

Posted by Dr. Sarfaraz Baig

Liver disease is not uncommon in India. A few years back, the commonest cause was viral hepatitis. Recently, obesity has become the most frequent reason for liver disease.

It is therefore not surprising to note that obesity has become the commonest cause of liver disease needing a transplant.

To prevent this health hazard, we need to become more aware of obesity. Striving for weight loss obviously makes more sense than landing up in a situation where the liver transplant is needed.

It’s not always easy to bring down body weight through dieting and activity especially if the weight is above 100 kgs. Two decades back there were no options for these patients but now bariatric surgery – a laparoscopic procedure for weight loss – can help these patients.

It has been proven in studies, that obesity-related fatty liver and even cirrhosis can be completely cured with bariatric surgery.

This was unthinkable earlier!

It is strongly recommended that obese patients with fatty liver and cirrhosis should consider bariatric surgery.

A stitch in time saves nine!

Jun 14 Comments Off

Chronic Pancreatitis – Learn How It is Cured!

Posted by Dr. Sarfaraz Jalil Baig

Here is a case of chronic pancreatitis that was managed surgically at our center.

A 40 year old diabetic female was referred with intractable pain abdomen. She was a known case of chronic pancreatitis managed on medical treatment (pancreatic enzymes, analgesics) for the last 3 years. She also had developed diabetes during this period.

CT and MRCP picked up a large impacted stone at the head of pancreas with dilated pancreatic duct and atrophic pancreas.

After optimising, a decision to do laparoscopic lateral pancreatojejunostomy was taken. The stone and pus was removed from the duct and it was joined with a limb of jejunum.

She recovered well and was discharged in a painless condition on the 5th postoperative day.

Here is how it was done:

Jun 14 Comments Off

Abdominal Sepsis Treatment – The Step-by-Step Procedure

Posted by Dr. Sarfaraz Jalil Baig

A 35 year old woman was referred to Digestive Surgery Clinic with abdominal sepsis following a cholecystectomy on her 11th postoperative day.

CT picked up a large collection of bile in the upper abdomen. A pigtail catheter was introduced radiologically along with antibiotics. Owing to residual sepsis, a laparoscopic drainage was undertaken subsequently, following which she recovered rapidly. A controlled biliary fistula developed that persisted for a month.

MRCP showed dilated left and right hepatic ducts and a block at the confluence of ducts. No vascular injury was identified.

A definitive repair of the bile duct in the form of left hepaticojejunostomy was done.

The link below shows the critical steps of the procedure that is vital to good long term outcome.

May 23 Comments Off

A Show of Confidence – From Difficulty In Walking To Walking The Ramp

Posted by Dr. Sarfaraz Jalil Baig

Obesity is one of the biggest diseases of our times. The damage it incurs on individual health, quality of life and on economy is huge. The treatment of obesity is difficult. Dieting and physical activity is frequently ineffective in its management.

In such a grim scenario, the dramatic success of bariatric surgery has brought some hope for millions of obese patients in the world who are struggling with their weight, obesity, arthritis, Infertility, etc.

However, there is lack of awareness regarding this treatment strategy (bariatric surgery) in our society. There is also scepticism and misconceptions amongst many – one such being that patients become weak after surgery. Frequently, many patients do not reveal their bariatric status for the fear of prejudice and discrimination.

To dispel this misconception and encourage patients to come forward with their identity, a fashion show was conceptualised by Dr Sarfaraz J Baig, Bariatric Surgeon, Belle Vue Clinic, where his patients who have undergone bariatric surgery walked the ramp with models and members of the Calcutta Swimming Club.

For people who once had difficulty in walking because of their excess weight, the walk on the ramp in front of a large audience and special guests such as Agnimitra Paul and Rachna Banerjee was a supreme demonstration of their confidence. They send out the social message that a healthy body is the best fashion statement. And Bariatric surgery gives a second chance of health to many obese people.

Agnimitra Paul, eminent fashion designer and Rachna Banerjee, eminent Tollywood actress graced this occasion and lauded the confidence and beauty of the post-surgery participants.

Dr Sarfaraz J Baig said after the event -“Bariatric surgery has now become a mainstream surgery. It gives obese patients struggling with their excess weight, diabetes, arthritis a second chance in life. There is a considerable need to spread the awareness of this surgery and dispel misperceptions regarding it.”

Jan 19 Comments Off

Arthritis, Obesity and Bariatric Surgery

Posted by Dr. Sarfaraz Jalil Baig

Obese people frequently have knee pain that makes walking painful. This is more common with advancing age. It prevents them from walking, playing sports and enjoying vacations.

Some patients may benefit from medicines and physiotherapy and some may need joint replacement. However, weight loss remains the most important measure for long term relief.

If patients cannot lose weight through dieting, they can be offered bariatric surgery. Even the orthopedicians are recommending it these days.

After bariatric surgery, not only the patients lose significant weight, they start leading an active life because their knee pain is relieved dramatically. Those with diabetes, blood pressure and sleep apnea also have relief from these diseases.

Because of its diverse benefits, bariatric surgery is increasingly becoming popular amongst obese patients with arthritis even in the elderly age group!

All Posts Tagged: bariatric surgery

Here is a case of chronic pancreatitis that was managed surgically at our center.