Obesity and Morbid Obesity
Many of us are plump (overweight) of fat (obese). Some of us are the far end of the obesity spectrum (morbid obesity). So how one define oneself - overweight, obese or morbidly obese?

To do that, you have to know your BMI. This is your weight in kgs divided by your (height in meters)². This means that  the  shorter  you  are,  the  less  heavy  you  can  afford  to  be.  You  can  check  out  your  BMI  online  at www.bmi-india.com

If you are in the overweight or obese category, we can help you with your fat loss by giving you a solid nutritional and fitness plan with inbuilt psychological support. The only thing you need is motivation - if you lack that, we cannot really help you!

Morbid (Clinically Severe) Obesity
Morbid Obesity is a condition where body fat accumulates to a level that threatens health and life.

This is traditionally defined as a Body Mass Index of 40 or more, thought the current Indian definition is a BMI of 37.5 or more. If a person has a BMI of 32.5 (Originally 35) along with diabetes, hypertension or sleep apnea, it is also a form of morbid obesity.

Why is Morbid Obesity So Dangerous?
Morbid Obesity is one of the world's biggest killer today. Diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and cancers are some of the major forms of is manifestations. It has been seen that a morbidly obese person risks living 15 to 20 years less than he or she would otherwise have. When you think about it, what wouldn't you do if you could increase your lifespan for that time? And do it while improving your health and fitness, too?

What is the BMI Approach to Weight Loss?
In other words, you want to know why the fat loss methods used in Belle Vue Clinic's specialized obesity management are the right ones for you. The reason is simple - at BVC, only evidence-based, scientifically proven methods of fat loss are used, whether it is a nutritional guideline, an exercise regime or an operative strategy. Your solutions are customized keeping in mind your specific requirements and limitations. The consistent use of evidence-based practice helps you avoid commercial gimmicks that advocate losing few inches and kilos of weight in three days, using entirely useless devices that promise to melt fat in hours. We will also spare you the unending horrors of sauna belts and fat-melting creams that will make you wallet thinner. We aren't quite sure about what it will do your waistline, though! BMI consists of obesity care specialists, Bariatric Surgeons, certified fitness coach, qualifies nutritionist, psychologist and a host of ancillary support staff. Not one of them will promise you instant, magical fat loss that seemingly has no peer in the real world. Instead, each one will work hard, as you will, to ensure that you achieve your fat loss targets and maintain it.

If you are severely obese, BMI will offer you the state-of-art surgical procedure that will ensure permanent fat loss and even resolution of diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea etc.

The icing on the cake is that all the facilities are under the same roof, and at very reasonable cost, too.

Is Obesity Surgery For Me?
If one has a BMI (Body Mass Index) - calculated as weight (in kgs) / height (m²) - of 40 or more, OR a BMI of 35 + two co-morbid conditions like diabetes / hypertension, one is a candidate for Bariatric Surgery.

Many obese people have already lost time and money by trying many popular get-slim-quick methods. They are ready for surgery because they are aware of the real world hard truth - Bariatric Surgery is the only scientifically proven method of achieving sustained weight loss in the morbidly obese individual.

Which Procedure is the Right One for Me?
There are many procedures in Bariatric Surgery. The ones that are more popular are the Lap Band, the Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass and more recently, sleeve Gastreactomy. The  other less popular procedures are Biliopancreatic Diversion, Duodenal Switch etc.

Most patients desirous of weight loss alone will benefit from the band/sleeve procedures that are both restrictive procedures in the sense they prevent a person from eating more. The former will achieve a weight loss of 40-50% of excess body weight whereas the letter will achieve 60-70% excess body weight loss. The Lap band, however, mandates more compliance and follow-up and is more susceptible to cheating.

Patients who desire  more weight loss to the tune of 70-80% excess body weight will require a procedure like gastric bypass. The procedure creates a situation where food intake is restricted becuase the stomach is now tiny, along with reduced absorption of ingested food, because the small intestine is short-circuited in some specific way designed to create malabsorption. It is offered to patients who understand that it is one of the most proven and effective procedures for weight loss. This, however, comes with a price of a little higher risk of leaks and mortality than procedures like the sleeve gastrectomy and the Lap Band.

Gastric bypass is also the procedure of choice for patients having obesity with diabetes because of a more than 80% chance of curing diabetes.

Life After Bariatric Surgery?
Life after bariatric surgery is as it should be for any individual who holds health as a priority concern in his or her life.

All patients with bands have to come for regular follow up to ensure that the band is in the right place and is not too tight or loose. Band removal rates because of complications of failure are variable, but not insignificant. We prefer and recommend other procedures, like the Sleeve.

All post bariatric surgery patients need to know that they will not be able to eat as much they used to because of their smaller stomach size. Their hunger is satisfied while eating much less than before. The usual instruction for a healthy lifestyle - eating correctly (no sweets, colas, fried food) and moving more apply even after surgery.

Patients who undergo gastric bypass have to consume iron, calcium and vitamin B complex regularly and also need to be checked for the same periodically.

Managing life after obesity surgery is for most patient and enjoyable experience as they start reducing cloth size, looking good like never before and feeling lighter, fitter and healthier.

Will I Be Able to Have a Normal Sexual and Reproductive Life After Weight Loss Surgery?
Many obese people have a poor sex life. They may have associated psychological problems and poor social skills. post surgery, as the weight starts reducing, the patient gains his or her mobility and the external genitalia may become more visible as the fat in the area starts melting.

It has been seen that patients become more sexually active following weight loss surgery. Fertility is a major problem with obese patients and many female patients have polycystic ovarian disease as part and parcel of obesity. The fertility rates have also been shown to improve significantly following weight loss surgery.

What are the Complications of Surgery?
Weight loss surgery is now proven to be very safe, with a complication rate comparable to any other major planned abdominal surgery. Death after bariatric surgery is as likely to happen as after an appendectomy ! However, the overall complication rate (not death) is around 2 to 3 percent.

Gastric bypass procedures may lead to iron and vitamin B deficiencies that need replacement regularly. In the immediate post-operative period there are chances of leaks from the suture/staple lines that may need further management.

Sleeve gastrectomy is an extremely safe procedure and is strongly recommended for the highest risk category of the super-super-obese and those in which the risks of a leak from a gastric bypass are unacceptable.

How Long Do I Have to Stay in Hospital?
Patients are kept in hospital for two days or so. They are encouraged to get out of bed the same evening of surgery, so that blood clots don't form in their leg veins. They are advised liquid diet for the first couple of weeks after surgery, and then given normal feeds.

ABOUT BMI
BMI is an exclusive, one-of-a-kind weight management concept with unique features that could be your valuable friend in practice:

• BMI consists of two bariatic surgeons with loads of clinical experience tackling all forms of ovesity, along with a fitness coach with a reputation for results in fitness and fat loss.

• Centrally located at Belle Vue Clinic, Kolkata and available every working day.

• We offer comprehensive weight loss services, from nutritional advice, psychological counseling, metabolic conditioning (fat loss exercise) and supportive medical and rehab care. The whole concept is founded in science and is devoid of gimmicks or unproven methods.

• Updated, scientific, interactive website for both patients and doctors. A forum for obesity within the website is on the cards.

• Regular e-mail, phone and SMS support is given to patients.

• Regular feedback will be given to you about progress and subsequent management requirements.

• The surgical team consists of two surgeons who provide round-the-clock supervision, two registrars, two highly expert anesthetists and nutritionists, all of whom ensure that the patient gets the best care and outcome before discharge.

• Our technicians and assistances provide patient support at home.

• Very reasonable packages that are suitable for the middle class patient.

• For the patient (whether Indian or International) who is seeking the highest quality of bariatric care, we provide the latest disposables and equipments, consistent with the standards, of the best centres in the world.

BMI is also keen on working on obesity prevention. We are working hard to enable knowledge awareness at the level of the community, schools and the medical community.

Contact Information
Belle Vue Clinic