Beware of obesity, says surgeon

by Ananda KANNANGARA

Gastro Intestinal Surgeon, Dr. N. W. J. K. Nanayakkara of the Kalubowila Teaching Hospital said that one-fourth of Sri Lanka's population suffer from Morbid Obesity and undergoing the weight losing surgery (Bariatric surgery) is the best remedy to cure this disease.

Dr. Nanayakkara told the Sunday Observer that over one-fourth of the world's population is also suffering from obesity which is recognised as the most prevalent disease in the world today.

He said although bypass surgery is the acceptable first line treatment for Morbidly Obese, Sri Lankans do not pay much attention towards it, perhaps due to lack of awareness.

The health authorities should create an awareness about the importance of this surgical treatment since it largely benefits people in the country.

Quoting the WHO report, Dr. Nanayakkara said that around 300,000 Bariatric surgeries are performed every year in the USA alone. Asked whether the disease could be cured with medicines instead of undergoing Bariatric surgery, he said this depends on the extent of the severity of the person's obesity.

If the BMI (Body Mass Index) of a person is below 35, he could overcome the disease by doing regular exercises, dieting and medicine.

He said the normal BMI of a person is between 18 - 26 and advised patients who have the BMI above this limit to seek treatment.

"However, if it is above 40, the standard and acceptable treatment is the Bariatric surgery (Gastric bypass surgery)," he said.

Dr. Nanayakkara said that if a patient needs surgery he/she could first consult a doctor in the clinic at the Kalubowila Teaching Hospital, the only hospital at present performing the Bariatric surgery in Sri Lanka and seek registration, according to advice.