New research into effects of weight loss surgery
08/02/2016 / By slendernews
New Zealand’s dire obesity rate has prompted a Massey University student’s research into the impacts of weight loss surgery.
(Article by Nicholas McBride)
The New Zealand Medical Journal in 2015 said New Zealand was on track to overtake the United States and become the fattest nation by 2020. About one third of adults in New Zealand are classed as obese.
The Journal stated surgery was highly cost-effective and in many cases paid for itself within just a few years.
But Massey University Master of Science in Human Nutrition student Sara Lake said although surgery could resolve weight and related health problems, it was not an easy way out.
She is investigating the impacts of bariatric weight loss surgeries and hoping to understand the potentially life-saving procedure from the patient’s point of view.
“Even before they have been approved for surgery, patients must undertake a dramatic change in lifestyle.
“They must adhere to a prescribed diet, take supplements and stick to an exercise plan for the rest of their life, as well as dealing with the many social changes that occur when you lose a large amount of weight.
“Failure to cope with these sustained changes can lead to future health problems or even weight regain.”
Weight Loss Surgery New Zealand chairman Alan Goddard used to weigh more than 160kg before he got bariatric surgery.
“The scales at my doctors only went up to 160kg.”
He now weighs 69kg.
“Imagine nine sacks of potatoes, try pick those up and walk down the aisle.
“Put it this way, I would not be here without [surgery]. I was given five years to live, that was seven years ago.
“I feel a lot happier in myself, I used to be quite depressed.”
In 2014, there were 889 bariatric surgeries performed in New Zealand. In the same year, the government earmarked $10 million for at least 480 bariatric surgeries over the following four years.
Lake said the chance of a person with morbid obesity losing weight permanently using diet and exercise alone was very low.
“If someone has tried repeatedly to lose weight, there is a high possibility that bariatric surgery will help them finally succeed.”
Lake hoped to understand how surgery has affected people’s lives, the challenges they faced, and what could have been improved both before and after surgery to make it easier.
The study is recruiting women over 18-years-old who are preparing to undergo or have recently undergone either sleeve gastrectomy or Roux-en Y gastric bypass surgery. Participants can be based anywhere in New Zealand.
Read more at: stuff.co.nz
Tagged Under: Medicine, research, surgery, weight loss
