Canada's obesity epidemic is now at least a decade old and the country's health system is seeing many more cases of illness related to the condition: Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and arthritis.
To combat the problem, approximately 2,000 obesity surgeries, which include gastric bypass and laparoscopic banding, are being performed annually, according to Edmonton-based Dr. Arya Sharma, scientific director of the Obesity Network.
Demand for the surgeries continues to grow, leaving many Canadians on lengthy waiting lists or exploring other options.
Gastric bypass surgery, also known as stomach stapling, involves the surgical creation of a small pouch at the top of the stomach to reduce its size. The pouch, which can only hold about 30 grams of food, is then linked to the small intestine. The procedure is done laparoscopically, meaning there is no need to cut the entire abdomen open — only tiny incisions are made.
In laparoscopic banding (lap band surgery), an alternative to gastric bypass, a surgeon inserts a doughnut-shaped device with an inflatable balloon around the upper part of the stomach. The idea is to create a small pouch, but unlike gastric bypass, the pouch is not connected to the intestine. The procedure is reversible.
Sharma says approximately 250,000 Canadians meet the criteria for the surgery. These include a Body Mass Index of 40, which means the patient is about 100 pounds overweight. To qualify, they also cannot have underlying health problems that may make surgery risky, emotional issues that will complicate recovery, have a history of drug or alcohol addiction or are on drugs that promote weight gain.
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To combat the problem, approximately 2,000 obesity surgeries, which include gastric bypass and laparoscopic banding, are being performed annually, according to Edmonton-based Dr. Arya Sharma, scientific director of the Obesity Network.
Demand for the surgeries continues to grow, leaving many Canadians on lengthy waiting lists or exploring other options.
Gastric bypass surgery, also known as stomach stapling, involves the surgical creation of a small pouch at the top of the stomach to reduce its size. The pouch, which can only hold about 30 grams of food, is then linked to the small intestine. The procedure is done laparoscopically, meaning there is no need to cut the entire abdomen open — only tiny incisions are made.
In laparoscopic banding (lap band surgery), an alternative to gastric bypass, a surgeon inserts a doughnut-shaped device with an inflatable balloon around the upper part of the stomach. The idea is to create a small pouch, but unlike gastric bypass, the pouch is not connected to the intestine. The procedure is reversible.
Sharma says approximately 250,000 Canadians meet the criteria for the surgery. These include a Body Mass Index of 40, which means the patient is about 100 pounds overweight. To qualify, they also cannot have underlying health problems that may make surgery risky, emotional issues that will complicate recovery, have a history of drug or alcohol addiction or are on drugs that promote weight gain.
Full story
Would you consider getting surgery to manage your weight?
More...