Metabolic surgery experts move to improve patients’ care in West Africa
Health experts under the auspices of Bariatric and Metabolic Surgeons Society of Nigeria (BMSSN) converged on Abuja to collaborate on how to enhance the delivery of safe, skilled and appropriate surgical care to patients in Nigeria and other West African regions.
Bariatric surgery is a surgical procedure used to manage obesity and obesity–related conditions.
e two-day conference came under the theme: “e clinical practice of metabolic and bariatric surgery in Nigeria and West African: our journey so far.’’
It had in attendance doctors, nurses, dieticians in Nigeria and other West African countries.
Speaking at the conference, president Bariatric and Metabolic Surgeons Society of Nigeria, Abuchi Okaro, a rmed that the annual event was ideal as it would enable BMSSN improve capacity and build centers of excellence for the practice of bariatric surgery in Nigeria and other West African nations.
Okaro who is also a consultant general laparoscopic UGI and bariatric surgeon, added that regular communication, collaboration and mutual respect among team members is essential for optimal patient outcomes.
In addition, he said: “By fostering a cohesive and supportive team, healthcare professionals can provide the highest quality care for patients undergoing bariatric and metabolic surgery”
Talking about obesity, the medical practitioner de ned it as a condition where there is too much fat in the body or around the organs.
While revealing that many Nigerians are su ering from diseases associated with obesity, he enumerated such ailments to include; diabetes, high blood pressure, arthritis and issues related to fertility.
To him, bariatric surgery is done when diet and exercise have not worked or when one has serious health problems associated with overweight.
In his words: “To reduce the fats in the body makes a di erent, these are something we can encourage through surgeries, interventions and clinical care.
‘’ ere are multifaceted aspects of metabolic and bariatric surgery, including medical, nutritional, psychological, and surgical considerations. e aim is to achieve a comprehensive approach to address the complex needs of patients.’’
erefore, he stressed the need for surgeons to ensure they carefully assess each patient’s risk pro le and surgical candidacy.
For robotic surgery, he explained that it involves utilisation of robotic-assisted techniques, adding that it allows for greater precision and maneuverability in complex revisional procedures.
While acknowledging that weight management is an individual matter, he appealed to government to ensure hospitals in Nigeria are functining well and are held accountable for their outcomes.
He advised Nigerians to watch what they eat, exercise and read about health books which according to him will enable them live a health life.
Speaking on “bariatric management options in the super obese BM > 50,” Iiya Salu described super obese patients as those who are morbidly obese with Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than 50.
Stating that patients with severe obesity require to undergo bariatric surgery, he added that such surgery should be performed by expert bariatric surgeons
In his words: “Only experienced bariatric anesthesiologists should be involved.
“Weight loss should also be encouraged before surgery. Recommended weight loss is 10 percent of body weight before surgery.
“Advanced age and high Bmls are risk factors for weight loss failure and weight regain a er bariatric surgery. Additionally, elderly patients maybe at greater risk for post-operative morbidity and mortality.’’
“Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) is the most commonly performed bariatric surgery in elderly patients with BMIS of >50”.
Speaking on “Regional collaborative body/society: who really bene ts?’’, Consultant general laparoscopic and bariatric surgeon, Aminu Kano Teaching hospital Kano, Mohammed Bello said that managing obesity and metabolic disorders involves health professionals coming together with aim of sharing ideas, skills and experiences so as to improve the care of people living with obesity and other metabolic disorders.
Speaking on “the stages of informed consent of the bariatric patient”, Timi Adenuga explained that bariatric procedures are complex adding, ‘’ It may result in occurrence of serious perioperative complications. A thorough preoperative informed consent process is paramount in this population of patients, most of which have numerous baseline co-morbidities.’’
To make sound medical decisions, Adenuga who is also a general and laparoscopic surgeon said patients should not only receive adequate and appropriate information, but also understand it.
In his words: “Poor comprehension of the risks, bene ts, and consequences of surgery can contribute to unrealistic expectations, suboptimal decision making, and potential litigation
“Use of preprinted consent forms could reduce variability and the likelihood of omitting important risks.’’