Tratamiento quirúrgico de la obesidad: pros y contras

Abstract

Obesity is a first magnitude public health problem. Because of its multifactorial pathogenesis, treatment of obesity is complex and requires a multidisciplinary approach. The first step is an adjustment and re-education of eating habits and healthy lifestyle. Diet and physical activity are pillars so that, once achieved weight loss, it remains within the normal range. As alternatives for severe cases there are pharmacological, endoscopic and surgical treatments that can achieve significant weight reductions and maintained over time. In this sense, the surgery has proven, in combination with changes in lifestyle and dietary adjustments, the best available treatment for morbid obesity, achieving significant improvement in health status and quality of life of these patients for their great general health benefits. However, it should be borne in mind the possibility of negative effects arising such as global nutritional deficiencies, as well as specific vitamin and mineral deficiencies, and even an increased risk of alterations in bone mineral density and alcoholism. Both a weight re-gain as an increased risk of suicide after some time of surgery have been described and should be considered. In women of childbearing age necessary to add the possible problems arising from an increased prevalence of preterm birth and low birth weight.