RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Overview of bariatric surgery for the physician
JF Clinical Medicine
JO Clin Med
FD Royal College of Physicians
SP 435
OP 440
DO 10.7861/clinmedicine.12-5-435
VO 12
IS 5
A1 Keng Ngee Hng
A1 Yeng S Ang
YR 2012
UL http://www.rcpjournals.org/content/12/5/435.abstract
AB The worldwide pandemic of obesity carries alarming health and socioeconomic implications. Bariatric surgery is currently the only effective treatment for severe obesity. It is safe, with mortality comparable to that of cholecystectomy, and effective in producing substantial and sustainable weight loss, along with high rates of resolution of associated comorbidities, including type 2 diabetes. For this reason, indications for bariatric surgery are being widened. In addition to volume restriction and malabsorption, bariatric surgery brings about neurohormonal changes that affect satiety and glucose homeostasis. Increased understanding of these mechanisms will help realise therapeutic benefits by pharmacological means. Bariatric surgery improves long-term mortality but can cause long-term nutritional deficiencies. The safety of pregnancy after bariatric surgery is still being elucidated.