Going under the knife for weight loss surgery? READ THIS!
I have read a lot of articles on the news about Nigerian men and women losing their lives through botched surgeries in a bid to change their shape or lose some weight. We have also heard about some high-profile cases.
Over 15 years ago, a lady; Modupe Ozuola, made breast augmentation surgery popular in Nigeria. I remember the ovation feature etc, and I believe this was the beginning of more awareness on breast augmentation & plastic surgery for cosmetic purposes in Nigeria.
I do not have anything against plastic surgery for cosmetic purposes. As a clinician, I have managed and reviewed patients who have had plastic surgery for cosmetic purposes and weight loss surgery such as — gastric bypass, gastric band surgeries. We usually place patients on certain medication after the surgery. I appreciate the fact that people who are morbidly obese could be advised to have a weight loss surgery by their specialist in a bid to reduce the risks of developing long term conditions like Cardiovascular disease etc.
According to experts, Adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 to 39.9 are considered obese. Adults with a BMI greater than or equal to 40 are considered extremely obese. Please note, BMI is not the sole measurement to determine if someone is obese or morbidly obese as people who have high muscle mass could have a higher BMI. Always seek medical intervention to understand the impact your weight and fat distribution has to your overall health and well-being.
My advice to anyone who wants to go under the knife solely for cosmetic reasons or to have a desired shape within a small space of time, is to weigh the risk benefit ratio. You need to have a detailed discussion with your clinician and also do some research on your own.
Do not be carried away by the picture you have in your mind or the end result, in most cases when liposuction is done, you have to have a second operation as the first one may not give you your desired result. Also, these procedures are expensive, so count the cost and understand the pros and cons to help you make an informed decision.
You may want to consider modifying your lifestyle first if you feel you need to lose excess weight. I always advise my patients to engage in intentional exercise/fitness programmes, healthy eating, portion control etc. Over the years I have practised what I preach and I have lost 10kg in 9 months after using my tailor-made weight loss programme. I have also equipped other people especially women, with the necessary tools they need to lose weight. My weight loss programme takes 9–12 months to complete, but the results are amazing and maintaining your weight after you’ve lost it is pretty easy. There is no excess loose skin hanging because the weight loss was achieved over time.
Look after yourself and engage in healthy eating and exercise; Get it right and the benefits are enormous
Don’t miss my next article on liposuction
