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02.12.2018 06:31:04
Obesity is one of the main risks to health in modern society. In Germany every fifth person suffers from it. Obesity can not only harm the musculoskeletal system, the circulatory system or the state of mind, but also lead to type 2 diabetes. For most very obese people gastric restriction is the only way to lose weight noticeably for a long time. The participants of the 57th Symposium of the German Society of Endocrinologists (DGE) spoke about how such operations can positively affect the intestinal microflora and hormonal balance.
Traditional activities such as diet or diet therapy and kinesiotherapy usually take the first place in the treatment of obesity. The effectiveness of these measures, however, is in most cases limited in time. The only way for the majority of very obese people to achieve noticeable weight loss, and the weight achieved is maintained for at least a longer period, is the so-called bariatric surgery. Due to the reduction of the size of the stomach, as well as the intestine, the amount of absorbed nutrients decreases. According to the DGE, the latest data analysis of more than 160,000 patients shows that five years after surgery their body mass index (BMI) decreased from an average of 46 to 29-35.
“Such operations improve the quality of life, reduce the risk of certain cancers in women and have a positive effect on the intestinal microflora and hormonal balance,” says Professor Dr. med. Matthias Bluher, Chief Physician of the University Clinic of Leipzig. For example, bariatric surgery can lead to a more efficient hormone release by the cells of the stomach and intestine, which is necessary for metabolism.
“It is known that after bariatric surgery many patients with type 2 diabetes noticeably improve their condition, and diabetes may even disappear,” says Professor Dr. med. Stefan R. Bornstein, Director of the University Clinic of Dresden. The latest review article in the Deutschen Medizinischen Wochenschrift states that after a sleeve gastrectomy the metabolic status in one of two cases returned to normal at least for a while. With the so-called gastric bypass surgery, i.e. a reduction of the stomach in combination with deliberately provoked digestive disorders, remission in patients with type 2 diabetes occurred in about two out of three patients.
Nevertheless, Professor Bluher points out that bariatric surgery is a complex surgical intervention which can lead to complications and undesirable side effects. “Besides, effective support is required. Therefore, before surgery, it is necessary to discuss everything in detail with the patient and carefully weigh the pros and cons,” adds the specialist from Leipzig. Patients’ social environment is also important. Professor Dr. med. Honorary Dr. Helmut Schatz from Bochum adds, “Regular monitoring is a must over a long period of time.”
