Should we be more mindful about our weight?

MBBS
, ,
1

THIS DISCUSSION IS BASED ON MY EXPERIENCE

Today we took up a case, who was planned to undergo laparoscopic cholecystectomy(removal of gall bladder) under general anesthesia. She was 26 years old, weighing 108kg’s with central obesity, morbid obese with BMI of 42kg/m2. We gave her general anesthesia and the case was started, but unfortunately surgeon has to convert the laparoscopic procedure into a open surgery as the ports of laparoscopy are not sufficient in length for the patient to enter her abdominal cavity.
In this case the incision site(subcostal incision) causes a lot of pain, where the patient cant even breath comfortably. Just because of her weight she got a very big 25 - 30 cm cut on her abdomen, this leads to delayed postoperative recovery, difficulty in mobilization in immediate postoperative period, which might increase the risk of thrombus(blood clot) formation, increased risk of pulmonary complications, increased chances of surgical site infection & so on.

There is every possibility for a laparoscopic procedure to get converted into open one due to many surgical difficulties. But here in this case only because of the excess weight of the patient this has happened, which can be optimized by the patient if they have taken care of it from the beginning.

So weight not just a number, it has to be taken care of. Either excess or under both are problematic. These days because of changed life style, food habits, lack of proper exercise, increased amount of stress, improper sleep, obesity has increased a lot.

obesity is a silent killer, it predisposes the person to

  • cardiovascular diseases ( atherosclerosis,hypertension, myocardial ischemia(heart attack) heart failure,
  • endocrine diseases(diabetes),
  • renal diseases,
  • gastrointestinal(delayed gastric emptying, reflux) and so on

So this is a healthy reminder for all of us to take care of our health and also weight. Do eat properly make sure you are having a balanced meal rather than processed food, get proper sleep, go for some sort of physical activity on daily basis, taking care of mental health, seeking for help when necessary.

Do let me know about your experiences

this post is not to criticize any one its just a reminder to care of yourself.

MBH/PS

5 Likes
2

Totally agree with you, because our excess body weight has a potential to cause several health risks.

1 Like
3

Thank you for sharing this real-life experience @20041997 It’s a powerful reminder that obesity affects much more than appearance as it can influence surgical planning, recovery and overall health. At the same time, it’s important to remember that weight is influenced by many factors, including genetics, medical conditions, medications, environment and lifestyle. Raising awareness with empathy is the key.

1 Like
4

Excess body weight can lead to many health problems and also causes obstruction to our physical health too

1 Like
5

Very true mam, weight management should be done because it does not limited to looks but it affects total body and body system also, reducing confidence and quality of life.Maintaining a healthy weight through a balanced diet, regular physical activity, and healthy lifestyle habits is one of the most effective ways to prevent these conditions.

1 Like
6

It is important to manage weight in a healthy limit, both excess and underweight is problem. Even if a person with normal weight, might be unhealthy due to unhealthy lifestyle and food choices. Which is ultimately going to make that person sick, so it is important to maintain a normal weight with healthy diet.

1 Like
7

Really puts things into perspective. People often don’t realize that excess weight can affect even routine surgeries and make recovery much harder.

1 Like
8

True points.
Obesity is the core for other diseases.
Weight management awareness should be created.

1 Like
9

Absolutely correct. Weight management is very important. I have seen a similar case during a laparoscopic tubectomy. Definitely, this is not criticism; it is a reminder and precaution that everyone should take to take care of their health.

1 Like
10

Thank you for sharing a real-life experience. It highlights how obesity can affect not only long-term health but also the outcome of surgeries and recovery. At the same time, I think it’s important to remember that weight gain isn’t always just about lifestyle—conditions like PCOS, thyroid disorders, certain medications, and mental health challenges can also make weight management difficult. Instead of judging people, we should encourage awareness, early intervention, and support. Small, consistent lifestyle changes can make a big difference over time, and every step toward better health is worth appreciating.

1 Like
11

Definitely, maintaining a healthy weight is important, as excess weight itself is associated with many health complications. Adding to your point, I also think the easy availability of processed foods, along with the constant stream of food-related content on social media, is making it harder for people to stay committed to their weight-loss goals.

1 Like
12

Great topic! Maintaining a healthy weight is about overall well-being, not just the number on the scale.

1 Like
13

That’s why everyone should learn to calculate their body mass index, weight is not just a number it will effect each and every part of the body and case showing above many easy and definite procedure cannot be done in obese person. Body mass index should be in healthy range.

1 Like