People who are overweight or obese have an increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, which can lead major health problems if left untreated. Obesity and diabetes are common lifestyle diseases, which means that they are generally brought on by an unhealthy lifestyle – that is unhealthy diet and lack of exercise.
People who are overweight or obese have an increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, which can lead major health problems if left untreated. Obesity and diabetes are common lifestyle diseases, which means that they are generally brought on by an unhealthy lifestyle – that is unhealthy diet and lack of exercise.
At Gargash Hospital, doctors meet patients daily who are looking for treatment for obesity and diabetes, as prevalence of obesity is high in the UAE.
Dr Aws Khidir Jassim, a consultant general surgeon at Gargash Hospital, who has more than 11 years’ experience in advanced laparoscopic and bariatric surgery explained that obesity is diagnosed when the Body Mass Index (BMI) is more than 30 kg/m2, the higher the BMI the greater the risk of developing several related health problems, such as Type 2 diabetes.. Dr Aws advises patients to make healthy lifestyle choices to lower the risk of developing diabetes. He suggests the following:
- Eat a healthy balanced diet
- Control food portion sizes
- Read and understand food labels
- Do regular exercise
- Have regular medical check-ups
“For patients who come to our hospital seeking to lose weight, we first put them on a diet protocol and/or weight loss medication. If the patient fails to lose weight or their weight increases after stopping their medication, then bariatric surgery is an option,” Dr Aws said.
In cases where surgery is required, Gargash Hospital offers a number of options:
- Sleeve gastrectomy.
- Gastric bypass surgery (mini and classical)
- Revisional surgery – for patients who have had previous surgical procedures that have failed to reduce their weight.
Moreover, Gargash Hospital offers advanced medical therapy that aids in weight reduction for sleeve gastrectomy patients.
After successful bariatric surgery, patients are required to be consistent with their diet by eating low-calorie, high protein meals prepared at home with a total absence of high calorie processed foods.
Dr Aws stated that following treatment patients need to change their behaviour to a healthy lifestyle and maintain their weight-loss.
Nutritional follow-up visits are an essential component of medical management for patients following bariatric surgery.
“I advise my patients to follow up with the nutritionist in our hospital to maintain their weight loss,” Dr Aws noted. One of the most important factors is the diet patients choose after bariatric surgery.
“In my experience, the transition zone will be when the patient starts to eat solid food. I tell my patients they should eat bite size bits of food no bigger than the end part of the thumb and it should be chewed thoroughly until it becomes soft before swallowing.”
It is essential that this becomes part of the daily life of the patient.
“I tell them there is a difference between eating and tasting the food. The food that they should eat – and from which they will feel full or satiated – is low-calorie solid food that needs very thorough chewing before swallowing. Patients who do not follow this advice may choose more tasty sweeteners after surgery to feel satisfied, but this will lead to failure of the bariatric surgery,” Dr Aws explained.
Dr Aws insisted that a healthy lifestyle incorporates both regular physical activity and a healthy diet.
“The most important advice I give to my patients after weight loss surgery is to stop eating before the feeling of satiety and to avoid carbonated drinks as these will affect the weight loss and lead to future dilatation of the stomach,” Dr Aws said, adding: “It is also important to avoid late evening or night meals.” 
