Creation of multidisciplinary obesity care unit within TSBS

Tunis: The Tunisian Society of Bariatric Surgery (TSBS) has set up a special unit to deal with complications arising from obesity-related illnesses, comprising specialists in psychiatry, metabolic illnesses and nutrition, to support obese patients during their convalescence period after treatment either by surgery or laparoscopy, said Bechir Beradhia, a member of the association's executive committee. The creation of this unit is part of monitoring the files of patients cured of obesity, particularly during the period when complications arise, notably gastric reflux, he said. He added that complications arising from gastric surgery for obese patients appear around two years after the operation, and treatment by laparoscopy contributes to the appearance of similar complications. Beradhia revealed that this new structure includes doctors specialising in metabolic diseases, namely diabetologists, haematologists and endocrinologists. Its creation is aimed at ensuring the success of the therapeutic pathway for patients who receive equivalent treatment not only for obesity but also for the diseases that accompany it, such as fat reduction, which often leads to a reduction in insulin doses for diabetics, he pointed out. It should be noted that 46% of the Tunisian population is expected to be obese or overweight by 2035. Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse