Columbia Asia Hospital Conducts National Conference on Safety in Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery
BANGALORE, May 2, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --
The Conference Brings Together Eminent Medical Practitioners From All Over the Country to Deliberate Upon Safety in Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery
The prevalence of obesity and obesity-related disorders is on the rise in young adults, adolescents, and even in the pediatric population. It was thought that primary prevention through diet and exercise would alleviate the need for any surgical intervention, but in majority of cases bariatric surgery is an important-and reasonably safe-tool in management of obesity. Success with primary prevention is limited to a small number of cases but especially in those with 'morbid obesity' a surgical intervention has become the mainstay of treatment.
While clinicians are still struggling to find a solution to the world's growing weight problem: new diets, prescription pills and exercise videos that become available every week for people to follow. Unfortunately, these weight-loss strategies fail to produce substantial, durable weight reduction for the vast majority of patients with morbid obesity. As a consequence, patients and physicians have turned to an easier and safer approach to weight loss: bariatric surgery. Despite the 10-fold rise in bariatric procedures, the safety and advisability of such an extremely invasive therapy is often questioned in India and people are still hesitant to undergo such surgeries.
To emphasize the fact that this form of treatment for obesity is as safe as any other laparoscopic surgery, Columbia Asia Hospitals is conducting a two-day conference on 'Safety in Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery' on 3rd and 4th May 2014, at The Sheraton Hotel which will be attended by leading surgeons and medical practitioners from all over the country.
The conference will delve deeply into new findings on obesity, bariatric/metabolic surgery and the several aspects of safety of the same. Almost all the leading bariatric surgeons of our country will attend this summit and deliberate on measures to make this surgery safe and effective for those who have no other option but to undergo the surgery. Dr. Shashank Shah- the President of Obesity Surgeons Society of India, internationally renowned surgeon Dr. M. Lakadawala and Prof. R. Rutledge from USA who conceived the idea of the mini-gastric (one-anastomosis) bypass will be participating in the conference.
"This will be a great opportunity for the medical professionals interested in the management of Obesity to learn and to share their expertise and experiences with eminent personalities from the medical world. There will also be training sessions for younger surgeons and students on the safe handling of surgical staplers and endostaplers at Columbia Asia Referral Hospital, Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore," said Dr. H.V. Shivaram, Chief of bariatric and metabolic surgery, Columbia Asia Referral Hospital, Yeshwanthpur.
"Though we have seen many national and international patients at the hospital, there is still a large population of morbidly obese individuals, who refuse surgery at the cost of their lives, due to fear and misconception regarding surgery. Through this conference, we want to reiterate the long-term health benefits of bariatric surgery that includes improvement in type 2 diabetes, obstructive sleep apnea, certain types of cancers, reduced risk of heart attacks and strokes," added Dr. Shivaram.
Columbia Asia Referral Hospital is conducting a fortnight long 'obesity management clinic' post the conference, from 5th May to 18th May , where patients can avail up to 50% discount on consultation.
It is a proven fact that obesity can lead to several diseases including cancer, heart disease and diabetes and the cost of managing these illnesses apart from their toll on health can be astronomical. Among the many recourses available to fight the obesity epidemic is bariatric surgery. Overweight and obese people are increasingly seeking bariatric surgery because of the failure or inability to shed excess weight through diet and exercise.
The use of bariatric surgery for the treatment of morbid obesity has increased dramatically over the past decade, which has raised concerns about safety, efficacy and cost-effectiveness. Bariatric surgery has been proved to be the best treatment tool to achieve a sustained and successful weight loss along with control of related morbid conditions. With the dangers of an obesity epidemic looming over the country, the accessibility to bariatric surgery in safe hands has become an issue. This conference will promote aggressive and adequate training of doctors in different types of bariatric surgery, so that patients derive the best possible benefits.
About Columbia Asia Hospitals
Columbia Asia Hospitals Pvt. Ltd. is one of the first healthcare companies to enter the country through the 100% foreign direct investment (FDI) route. The Columbia Asia Group is owned by more than 150 private equity companies, fund management organizations and individual investors. The Group currently operates seven multi-specialty community hospitals, one referral hospital and one clinic in India. The company also operates hospitals in Malaysia (10), Vietnam (3), and Indonesia (1). The Indian Management Operations office is based in Bangalore. www.columbiaasia.com
Media Contact: Kanchana Prasad, [email protected], 080-4021100, Sr. Manager - Corporate Communications, Columbia Asia Hospitals Pvt Ltd.
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