Why are UAE residents undergoing weight loss surgeries?

Abu Dhabi - A weight loss surgery can be useful, but it should be the last option for the patient.

Obesity is growing as an alarming epidemic in the UAE and thousands are now relying on weight loss surgeries every year. But is it the easy way out?
Doctors are urging patients to be vigilant before taking the decision to go under the knife, stressing that although shedding the weight is a must, many are blindly choosing surgeries, without thinking of the consequences that could rise later.
Dr Fuad Ahmed, consultant, general surgery, Burjeel Hospital, told Khaleej Times that more patients are now seeking alternatives other than the common strict diet.
"A weight loss surgery can be useful, but it should be the last option for the patient."
He pointed out that for gastric bypass surgeries, patients must first follow a six months programme, that will determine whether they are eligible for the operation.
"If there is no response from the diet and medications and if the body mass index (BMI) is 35 and above, then they will qualify for the surgery." He explained that a BMI of 18-23 is ideal, 28-35 is rated as class one obesity, whereas 35-29 is class two and 40-49 is class three.
Dr Ahmed noted that even after the gastric bypass surgery - which amounts to around Dh40,000 - patients must understand that the battle with their health and weight does not end right away.
Early complications that could develop from gastric bypass includes breathing difficulties, bleeding within the first 24-hours and even an abdomen leak, which will cause stomach to come out, meaning the patient will need to be operated on again.
Long term complications includes the lack of critical nutrient absorption from food intake, which means patients will have to rely on vitamins for the rest of their lives.
"Some patients lose the weight and then regain it. The operation is just a tool, it is up to the patients to change their life style after surgery."
Dr Mohammed Al Hadad, consultant bariatric surgeon and consultant general surgeon, Healthpoint, also highlighted that surgery must not be the first option for patients. He noted that the Health Authority of Abu Dhabi (HAAD) set out strict guidelines in 2009 that determine if a patient is qualified for weight loss surgery.
"We have patients that think this is the easy way out and we instantly label them. We work harder with them, and until they show us they are willing to change, we will go ahead."
Dr Al Hadad noted that patients opting to go under the knife must understand that post-surgery life "will not be rosy," thus it is up to them to lead a healthly future.
Alarming rise in number of weight loss surgeries in the UAE
Dr Fuad Ahmed, consultant, general surgery, Burjeel Hospital, stressed that there is an alarming trend for weight loss surgeries in the UAE, highlighting: "This is only the tip of the iceberg."
A survey conducted by the Emirates Obesity Association under the Emirates Medical Association, revealed that weight-loss surgeries have risen by more than 1,000 cases in 2015.
In 2014, there were 4,000 weight-loss surgeries in the UAE and the following year saw a staggering rate of 4,366 'sleeve gastronomy' cases, alone.
While 130 patients had the 'gastric band,' 274 had undergone 'classical gastric bypass' and 381 patients opted for the 'mini bypass.'
There is also a growing trend for the 'gastric balloon,' where an inflated silicon is placed in the stomach for six months and 120 patients had this procedure, bringing the total to 5,271 cases.
Dr Ahmed also noted the majority of his patients are between the ages of 20-40 and are commonly female.
Dr Mohammed Al Hadad, consultant bariatric surgeon and consultant general surgeon at Healthpoint, said that the patients he saw within the last nine months have almost been equal between male and female and majority are Emirati.
He also highlighted that within the past nine months, an alarming rate of 140 gastric bypass and sleeve gastronomy cases were conducted in the hospital.
Dr Al Hadad said the oldest patient he has received was 70-years-old, whereas the youngest was 18 and had to go under strict observation.
'I began to feel hungry all the time'
Dr Rami Al Ani, Paediatrics, Mafraq Hospital, shared his experience with weigh-loss surgery, highlighting the ups and downs of post-surgery life.
The 30-year-old saw sleeve gastronomy as his last option back in 2015, when his weight hit 120kg.
He explained that being a doctor himself, he knew the common consequences that could rise from surgeries. However, he was not prepared for what he was about to experience.
"The day after surgery, I had severe pain because of the gas that they filled my stomach with, I was literally crying," he recalled.
"For the first two weeks I was on a liquid diet only, after three-four weeks I was allowed to have semi-solids, but once I started to eat semi-solids, I began to feel hungry all the time." He noted that although he felt hungry throughout the day, as soon as he ate, he would instantly feel full.
"Even with weight loss surgery I always felt hungry, but I would feel full after two bites maximum, especially in the first three months."
Dr Al Ani, who has so far lost 45kg, said that he also suffered from severe diarrhea, to the point that he avoided going out in public.
"The other issue I suffered from was the none stop burping, which lasted for at least six weeks - not all doctors might tell patients about this."
Although he has no regret with his decision and was pleased with the overall operation, his advice for those seeking surgery is to research before making any grave decisions.
"Some people believe that such surgeries will make them feel full, but it is not true," he told Khaleej Times.
jasmine@khaleejtimes.com