Severe Obesity

Obesity is generally regarded as a self inflicted condition, which can be avoided by restrained food intake and appropriate exercise. This is simply not the case! It is almost certainly genetically determined, and although judicious use of dieting and exercise can assist in long-term weight management, most individuals with severe obesity (eg over 100kg) are unable to control their relentless long-term weight gain. Indeed there is much evidence to suggest that rigorous dieting for such individuals is generally harmful because a rebound in weight occurs following weight loss by this means. At the present time the only reasonably reliable method of major long-term weight loss and control in severely obese individuals is with surgery. Although this fact has been accepted in many parts of the World (eg North America) for many years, there remains strong feelings against the use of surgery in this setting in NZ. Few health professionals are supportive of it, and few have any real understanding of it. Time will change this.

When it is appropriate

Individuals who approach or exceed double their ideal body weight or have a BMI (body mass index) over 35 who desire major weight loss are candidates for this surgery. Generally this means individuals over 90-100 kg.