More than 900 bariatric surgeries, majority of them on women, are conducted annually since the last two years

The number of bariatric or weight loss surgeries, conducted for individuals with severe obesity, is increasing every year in Qatar, a senior official of the Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) has said.
“More than 900 bariatric surgeries, majority of them on women, are conducted annually since the last two years, up from about 400 a few years ago,” Dr Moataz Bashah, head of the Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery Section, told Gulf Times yesterday.
Presently, bariatric surgery is offered only to Qataris and it is understood that the Supreme Council of Health would extend the facility to expatriates as well in future when the National Health Insurance Scheme covers them, he explained on the sidelines of the first Qatar International Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Summit.
One of the speakers, Dr Alfons Pomp from the US, said his country topped the list for conducting bariatric surgeries.
“Qatar is among the top five countries in the list,” he stated.
The surgeon said that most of the bariatric surgeries were “very complicated”.
“However, it is very safe and the mortality rate is only one per 1,000 cases, very much the same as that for appendix surgery.”
Dr Bashah felt that the outcomes of the surgery were great and had great impacts on the patients. “Other than reducing the body weight of the patient, it has several good impacts. Our results are very impressive regarding weight loss. Most importantly, it cures the patients of diabetes.”
Dr Bashah maintained that surgery alone would not help a patient to reduce the weight. “Basically, the bariatric surgery changes the patient’s life. After the surgery, the patient has to follow several guidelines. Surgery alone is not the solution. It is part of the treatment. Along with the surgery, the patient has to change the lifestyle as well. He or she has to control the diet substantially to get the maximum benefits of the surgery.”
The HMC official also pointed out there were several complications among some people who had done bariatric surgery outside Qatar. “This is a serious problem and we are encouraging everyone to undergo the surgery here in Qatar as we have got the most advanced technology and equipment. We are increasing the number of surgeries to cut the waiting period as well as to enable everyone to undergo the surgery here in Qatar.”

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