Severely obese persons have to understand the difference between liposuction and bariatric surgery. Liposuction is a process wherein fat is removed from various parts of the body using a pipe and suction, for only cosmetic purposes. In Bariatric surgeries, however, the primary aim is not just to lose weight, but also to improve overall health, says surgical gastroenterologist and bariatric surgeon Dr. T. L.V.D. Prasad Babu of Yashoda Hospitals.
Addressing an awareness programme on obesity on Wednesday to mark completion of 100 successful bariatric surgeries by the hospital, Dr. Prasad said that liposuction has no health benefits. “After bariatric surgeries, the body undergoes vital hormonal changes that reduce appetite and in some cases also correct diabetes. Such surgeries reduce size of the stomach, thus decreasing the absorption of food,” he explained.
The awareness programme was also aimed at forming a support group and provide platform to obese patients who can interact with those who had already undergone such a surgery. Doctors pointed out that usually after the surgery, patients lose 60 to 80 per cent of their excess weight between six and 12 months.
