[caption id="attachment_41999" align="alignleft" width="300"] Dr. Stephen Angamuthu[/caption] "A CHRONIC health problem that is alarmingly on the rise worldwide but especially in the Middle East is obesity, which is a result from an excess of fat exceeding the body's physical needs," according to Dr. Stephen Angamuthu, Consultant General Surgeon at Royal Bahrain Hospital. "Obesity almost always leads to a number of other chronic health conditions, which we call co-morbidities. Some examples are cardiovascular disease, hypertension, type II diabetes, pulmonary dysfunction, osteoarthritis, gallbladder disease, cancer (breast and colon), and many others," he said. Dr. Stephen asserted that it is difficult to shed all of the excess fat through just diet and exercise. With proper commitment this can be achieved, but nonetheless many find the most rigorous of diets and exercise routines difficult to follow or do not achieve desired success. "Bariatric surgery is the perfect option for those who want the full and permanent solution if a conservative line fails. Millions of people worldwide have undergone bariatric surgery successfully. As a matter of fact, in most cases, the risks that arise from remaining obese are greater than that of undergoing surgery." Dr. Stephen goes on to explain about the surgery itself and how it is done at Royal Bahrain Hospital. "We have adopted the modern, minimally-invasive techniques to be used whenever the case allows it. These techniques have made bariatric surgery even safer, and include significantly less bleeding and shorter post-operation recovery times." In order to combat the rising rate of obesity, Dr. Stephen recommends all people to assess their weight and choose their options. "If you choose bariatric surgery, you will finally see all the beneficial effects it will have on your health, which have been confirmed by numerous studies. For example, you will prevent obesity-related diseases, have an extended life span, increased energy and self-esteem, and of course weight loss. The average weight loss expected over three years is 62% of the excess weight. "If you want to know if you're a good candidate for bariatric surgery, schedule an appointment with a trusted surgeon who has performed this operation. He or she will be able to assess your case fully and work with you to begin your journey to becoming healthier," says Dr. Stephen. Dr. Stephen Angamuthu is a Consultant General & Bariatric Surgeon at Royal Bahrain Hospital. For appointments, call +973 17246800 or visit www.royalbahrainhospital.com for more information.
