Bariatric surgery: an effective solution to rising obesity in Latin America
3 minutes read
- It is not a magic solution; it requires a commitment to significant lifestyle changes.
- 55% of cancers diagnosed in postmenopausal women are related to obesity.
Tuesday 14 January 2025, Cleveland. Obesity has become a growing concern in Latin America, affecting around 130 million people, almost a quarter of the population. This rise has led to a significant increase in demand for bariatric surgery in the region.
Dr. Edward Rosenthal, a bariatric surgery expert at Cleveland Clinic, stresses that this type of procedure is not a “shortcut” to losing weight, but an effective tool that has been shown to induce remission of diseases such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and sleep apnoea. It can also prevent certain types of obesity-related cancer.
Dr. Rosenthal suggests the procedure may be a suitable option for people with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or more, or of more than 30 together with an obesity-related disease, stressing the importance of weighing the risks and benefits of surgery against other treatments.
“It is not a magic solution; it requires a commitment to significant lifestyle changes and ongoing medical follow-up to ensure sustainable long-term results,” says the doctor.
According to an Imperial College London study that analysed the weight of more than 112 million people in 200 countries between 1985 and 2016, countries such as Chile, Uruguay, Cuba and Costa Rica have female obesity rates ranging from 31.2% to 32%. This trend has led more people to consider bariatric surgery as a viable solution for combating obesity and its associated complications.
The rise in demand for this procedure in Latin America is also attributed to factors such as greater awareness of the benefits of weight-loss surgery and the availability of highly trained professionals in the region.
“After surgery, patients may struggle to adapt to their new body and to the changes in their lifestyle. They may need psychological support to manage these changes, especially those who already have psychological problems such as depression,” says Dr. Rosenthal.
An equally important fact the doctor mentions is that 55% of cancers diagnosed in postmenopausal women are related to obesity.
“Psychological and social factors, such as pressure to conform to certain beauty standards, can also influence the decision. Compared with diets and medication, this procedure offers the most lasting effect in terms of weight loss and remission of obesity-related diseases,” he says.
In conclusion, bariatric surgery is an effective option for those who have tried other weight-loss methods without success. However, it is essential for patients to receive a comprehensive medical assessment and psychological support before and after the procedure to maximise the benefits and minimise the associated risks.
About Cleveland Clinic
Cleveland Clinic is a nonprofit multispecialty academic medical centre that integrates clinical and hospital care with research and education. Located in Cleveland, Ohio, it was founded in 1921 by four renowned physicians with a vision of providing outstanding patient care based on the principles of cooperation, compassion and innovation. Cleveland Clinic has pioneered many medical breakthroughs, including coronary artery bypass surgery and the first face transplant in the United States. U.S. News & World Report consistently names Cleveland Clinic as one of the nation’s best hospitals in its annual “America’s Best Hospitals” survey. Among Cleveland Clinic’s 81,000 employees worldwide are more than 5,743 salaried physicians and researchers, and 20,160 registered nurses and advanced practice providers, representing 140 medical specialties and subspecialties. Cleveland Clinic is a 6,690-bed health system that includes a 173-acre main campus near downtown Cleveland, 23 hospitals, more than 276 outpatient facilities and locations in southeast Florida; Las Vegas, Nevada; Toronto, Canada; Abu Dhabi, UAE; and London, England. In 2023, there were 13.7 million outpatient visits, 323,000 hospital admissions and observations, and 301,000 surgical cases throughout Cleveland Clinic’s health system. Patients came for treatment from every state and 132 countries.