Obesity / Weight Loss

About Obesity

Obesity is a complex medical condition which is related to many different aspects of healthcare, including gastroenterology.

Obesity impacts both your physical and mental health and with the right support, you can find the right solutions for your condition, with weight loss solutions designed to suit different people’s circumstances.

Dr Haidry offers minimally invasive endoscopic options for weight loss such as the Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty.

Obesity and Related Conditions

Obesity can occur due to lifestyle choices but it can also be linked to a range of health conditions and cause others. Conditions associated with obesity include:

  • Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
  • Metabolic syndrome
  • Infertility
  • High blood pressure
  • Kidney disease
  • Non-alcohol steatohepatitis
  • Cirrhosis
  • Diabetes

Gastroenterologists will make up part of a multidisciplinary team helping to treat obesity alongside nutritionists, psychiatrists, and other health professionals.

The gastrointestinal tract plays a key role in controlling food intake and regulating the body and obesity directly influences the process of gastroenterological disease, while this is not understood in depth yet. People with obesity experience much higher rates of gastroenterological problems including:

  • Gastroesophageal reflux
  • Vomiting
  • Heartburn
  • Incomplete defecation
  • Upper abdominal pain
  • Erosive oesophagitis
  • Colon polyps

This is not an exhaustive list but are just some of the conditions which relate to obesity and the gastrointestinal system.

Treatment for Obesity

Obesity can be treated naturally through a healthy, reduced-calorie approach to diet and introducing appropriate exercise. The basic guidelines for managing obesity include:

  1. Eating a balanced, calorie-controlled diet as recommended by your nutritionist, weight loss management team or GP
  2. Engaging with local weight loss groups or organisations
  3. Taking up new exercise in a way to suit your fitness level and then develop

Patients with obesity may also be able to access psychological support to help change their relationship with food and eating.

Patients who do not benefit from or cannot improve their lifestyle changes, then medication is sometimes recommended. Orlistat, for example, works by reducing the amount of fat absorbed during digestion.

Weight loss surgery is also a consideration, mostly as a last resort, but patients with the right knowledge and information can consider surgery if they feel it is the right option for their body and lifestyle.

Obesity Consultations with Dr Rehan Haidry

Dr Haidry can discuss the gastroenterological approaches to treating obesity with you. Arrange an appointment today to discuss your options and make a considered decision.

Get In Touch

For any enquiries about conditions, tests or treatments, please feel free to call Dr Rehan Haidry’s medical secretary Debra Hyams on:

Tel: 0203 423 7609  |  Email: rhaidrymedsec@ccf.org