Risks of obesity higher than those of lap-band surgery: doctors
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Date : 03 August 2006 2332 hrs (SST)
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No patient from Alexandra Hospital has withdrawn from Laparoscopic Gastric Banding or Lap-Band surgery since a death was first reported on Channel NewsAsia on Tuesday.
31-year-old Ross Tay is believed to be the first patient to have died from complications following the surgery.
But some current patients have expressed concerns about the procedure, which involves putting an adjustable band around the stomach to reduce its capacity so that the patient feels full faster.
The hospital sees about six to 10 such patients monthly. Currently, four are awaiting surgery.
For those who might be having second thoughts, a full team of counsellors will be there to address their concerns.
And more time has been given for them to decide if they want to go ahead with the surgery.
But doctors say that the risks of staying obese are higher than those of surgery, since these severely obese patients are already suffering from diabetes, breathing difficulties and heart diseases.
It is ailments like these which convinced Alison Lau to go under the knife three years ago.
At 100 kilogrammes (with a body mass index of about 35), Alison was then extremely obese.
The Lap-Band surgery helped the pub owner shake off 40 kilos and her diabetes.
When she went for the operation, surgeons had to dissect her stomach instead of performing the simple keyhole surgery to insert the band because Alison had a gastric bypass, also known as stomach stapling, 10 years before.
Despite the increased risk, she knew she had no choice if she wanted to live and watch her three children grow.
She said: "I had knee pains those days when I was 100kg and I told myself I need to lose weight and I want the fastest way. So despite what the team had gone through with me, I made up my mind I wanted to go for it. So it was my choice and I'm glad I made that choice, because today I'm sickness free."
Dr Tey Beng Hea, Alexandra Hospital's Director of Weight Management, said: "We have examples of people who actually regain their fertility after the operation. They were unable to conceive for several years after marriage and after the operation, after having lost approximately 20kg in weight, they managed to conceive not once but twice."
Some 300 patients have successfully shed the pounds after the procedure at Alexandra Hospital.
Besides having regular check-ups, these patients also have a support group called "Lap Bandits".
Most doctors Channel NewsAsia spoke to say that Lap-Band surgery is currently the most effective method for the severely obese.
Although there are other alternatives in the market, like inserting a silicone balloon into patients' stomachs, doctors say the weight loss there is only 8 kilogrammes over six months compared to 25 kilos over a year if a patient undergoes Lap Band surgery. - CNA/ir
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