Obesity is often called a disease of our times, which could not be more to the point as, nowadays, more than one in four adults are considered as overweight or obese. People struggling with excess weight usually resort to various methods of losing weight including strict diets and increased physical activity, weight loss drugs and other non-conventional methods. In a situation when a person has tried different methods of losing weight without any long-lasting success, undergoing a weight loss surgery, also called a bariatric surgery, may be the only way to achieve a permanent weight reduction. Bariatric surgeries should not be considered as a remedy for the obesity problem only, as they also help to reduce any other harmful effects of being obese such as diabetes, heart diseases and cancer.
Once a person has decided that a bariatric surgery is the only solution for the problem with excess weight, it is a good moment to think about a place where it is best to undergo this procedure – weight loss surgery Poland is definitely an option worth considering.
Why is it a good idea to undergo a weight loss surgery in Poland? Because it gives patients an opportunity to combine taking care of their health with something pleasant such as visiting a new tourism destination.
What is a Weight Loss Surgery?
A weight loss surgery, also called a bariatric surgery, refers to a procedure involving changes in the anatomy of the stomach and digestive system which cause major changes in the energy balance, production of intestinal hormones responsible for the feeling of hunger and metabolism of fats.
There are two main functions of weight loss surgeries:
- Malabsorption – changes in the digestive system result in lower calories intake
- Restriction – reduction of the storage capacity of the stomach pouch
The most popular types of weight loss surgeries are:
- Gastric Sleeve (laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy of the stomach)
- Gastric Bypass
- Gastric Balloon
Gastric sleeve surgery involves reducing the size of the stomach by about 75-80 percent and creating a small sleeve-like stomach pouch which is able to store only a small amount of food. This helps the patient to feel full after eating even a tiny meal. What is more, after the surgery, a hormonal receptor responsible for hunger starts to produce less hunger hormone called ghrelin, which helps patients to control their appetite and lose up to 70% of the excess weight. The gastric sleeve procedure can be performed as an open surgery or using a more recommended laparoscopic technique, which takes about sixty minutes and ensures faster recovery of the patient.
Gastric sleeve procedure is most suitable for people whose BMI reaches 35. Patients with BMI lower than 35 but suffering from at least one of the obesity related health problems such as diabetes or hypertension can also be qualified for the procedure.
Roux-en-y gastric bypass surgery is the most popular type of a gastric bypass procedure. It is usually performed using laparoscopic method. During the surgery, surgeons make small incisions in the abdomen to reach the upper part of the stomach pouch that needs to be stapled to form a smaller pouch, which is usually in a size of a thumb. Then, they reshape a part of the small intestine in a form of a letter “Y” and attach it to the created pouch. The bypassed stomach is tiny, and the patient can no longer eat normal portions of food, because the stomach pouch is too small to store it. The bypassed small intestine means that less calories can be absorbed from the food during the digestion process. Eating more than recommended by the doctor may cause the patient to feel sick and nauseous.
It is possible for a person to lose 50% or more of the excess body weight within 18 months after the procedure. In order to be accepted for gastric bypass, a patient should have BMI (Body Mass Index) of over 40. Patients with BMI of 35-40 can also be accepted if they suffer from serious obesity related diseases such as: type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure.
Gastric Balloon is the least invasive, safe and non-surgical procedure involving placing a soft silicon balloon in the stomach pouch. The balloon serves as a filler and a person can feel satisfied after eating a smaller amount of food than usual. The balloon needs to be removed after six to twelve months when the desired weight loss has been achieved.
A good candidate for a gastric balloon procedure is a person with BMI between 27 and 35. Since 2010, people whose BMI is slightly lower than 27 can also be qualified for the procedure. There are also cases when this procedure is recommended to extremely obese people as a form of preparation for other more complex weight loss procedures such as gastric bypass.
Weight Loss Surgery in Poland
Due to the development of medical tourism, Poland has become one of the most attractive medical tourism destinations in Eastern Europe, especially when considering dental and bariatric procedures. Patients from the Western Europe, who want to undergo a bariatric procedure, often look for a way to save money and make their experience with bariatric medicine more pleasant and memorable. That is why they choose Poland with its top-quality modern clinics situated in the biggest cities such as Warsaw, Cracow, Gdansk and Wroclaw. Choosing services of accredited medical agencies in Poland is also a popular trend as it makes it easier for the patients to find the best all-inclusive bariatric treatment packages including the cost of the procedure, stay in a clinic, accommodation, flight and other expenses.
Medical tourism is also a great opportunity for patients to spend some time sightseeing and visiting the most popular attractions Poland has to offer such as beautiful landmarks, famous Polish cities and landscapes. The best Polish bariatric clinics are located in cities with a great variety of tourist attractions and beautiful sceneries. Choosing a weight loss surgery in Poland is definitely an option worth considering for those who want to lose weight, improve their health and are ready for an adventure.