Laparoscopic Procedures for Morbid Obesity

Obesity is classified as a disease as the overall mortality rate of the morbidly obese population has been demonstrated to be approximately double that of the normal weight population. More staggering is the realization that in the 25 to 34 year old male-age-group the same mortality rate is increased 12 fold. This increase in mortality is explained by the medical conditions or co-morbid factors frequently associated with morbid obesity, specifically the risks of hypertension (3.0 higher), the risk of diabetes (2.9 higher) and the risk of hypercholesterolemia (1.5 times higher). Most morbidly obese patients will also present with overwhelming psychological problems: poor body image, low self esteem, severe depression, poor quality of life, suicidal tendencies and extreme mood shifts. Some authors claim a number of these patients developed this disease after suffering severe, unresolved psychological trauma in their childhood. It has been documented extensive psychological support has not been effective in the treatment of these patient. In addition, conservative treatments for morbid obesity (diet, medical management, etc)  have an overall, dismal long-term success ranging between 9 to 15%.

Over the past century,  numerous surgical teams have attempted to design surgical procedures to successfully treat these patients. After introducing earlier techniques which resulted in horrifying long-term complications and side effects, newer, safer and well-standardized bariatric procedures finally became viable surgical interventions for this patient population. Advanced laparoscopy is now poised to revolutionize these procedures as surgeons have redesigned these techniques to be successfully performed via minimally invasive means.

Morbid obesity [ICD-9 Code: 278.01] has been categorized as being approximately 100 pounds over one's estimated ideal weight as provided in the 1983 Metropolitan Life Height and Weight Table or a Body Mass Index, BMI of 40. The American Society for Bariatric Surgery states that potential candidates for obesity surgery must have a BMI of at least 40 or a BMI of at least 35 with one or more co-morbid conditions.

BMI =Weight (Kg) divided by Height (M) squared = (w / h2) or (Kg / m2)

BMI CALCULATOR

Co-morbid factors are defined as medical conditions triggered or generated by excess body weight or morbid obesity.

The most common co-morbid factors are as follow::

The trigger point used by most bariatric surgeons is the BMI value at which the risks of potential complications from the bariatric procedure itself equals the risks generated by the excess weight of the patient. This trigger point is a BMI of 40, but this value is lowered if a co-morbid condition is identified.

Consequently, the indications for a bariatric surgical procedure are as follows:

Expert laparoscopic surgeons can now duplicate any standard, open bariatric procedure in optimal surgical conditions. However, some of these procedures are not favored by this surgical team and are simply not performed by personal choice. They have been championed by other authors who have reported acceptable outcomes. The laparoscopic bariatric procedures currently performed by our surgical team are as follow:

Most patients as well as some surgical teams are under the wrong impression that having a morbidly obese patient undergo a bariatric surgical procedure will generate a inevitable, controlled weight loss. It is our belief a bariatric surgical procedure is only a instrument given to morbdily obese patients to initiate a rewarding and effective weight loss program. Greatest success is achieved with surgical patients who meticulously comply with a 12 to 18 month rigorous and regular monitoring protocol. During that critical post-operative period faulty eating habits will need to be re-formatted to a "three meals a day, no snacking" formula. Local long term post-operative follow-up with support group network is indeed essential for an optimal outcome.

This pre-operative evaluation is a multidisciplinary evaluation. The morbidly obese patient should undergo the following assessment:

During this evaluation, the surgeon should understand the expectations of the patients and should give the patients a realistic assessment and correction of their expectations if needed. The patient should have a clear understanding of basic nutrition. If not, further nutritional counseling by a licensed nutritionist will be ordered. In addition, the patient should understand the risks and benefits of this procedure as well as the radical changes of his or her future eating habits.

Lastly, extensive written documentation or disclosure documents should be given to the patient.

  [SAGES GUIDELINES]

 [ AMERICAN COLLEGE OF SURGEONS GUIDELINES ]

[ AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR BARIATRIC SURGERY ]

The general indications used by our surgical team for laparoscopic bariatric procedures are as follows and should be clearly documented in each patient's chart.