marbella
The doctors, Cristóbal Albandea and José Miguel Rosales, who are specialists in the Digestive System, have a great deal of experience in the POSE technique which can result in a 45 per cent reduction in excess weight
23.01.13 - 12:21 -
The Digestive System specialists at the HC Marbella International Hospital, Dr. Cristóbal Albandea and Dr. José Miguel Rosales, last week successfully carried out the first POSE technique (Endoluminal Surgery for the treatment of Obesity) in Marbella, which consists of a stomach reduction by oral means which can result in a loss of between 45 per cent and 55 per cent of excess weight.
Both doctors have a great deal of experience in the treatment of obesity by endoscopy and they explain that “the objective of this technique is to generate a sensation of constantly being full up so the patient feels satisfied by ingesting only a small amount of food”. They also point out that this technique “is less invasive than other bariatric surgery, because the oral treatment does not involve any incisions being made”.
This surgery, which is a pioneer in Andalucía, consists of creating a series of pleats in the stomach, specifically in the area of the fundus and the antrum (the upper and lower part of the organ, respectively), to reduce the size and the capacity of the stomach and thereby make it slower to empty. The operation is carried out under general anaesthetic and lasts for approximately 50 minutes. The patient can normally go home the same day, although this depends on the needs of each patient and the opinion of the specialist. “Sometimes patients stay in hospital for 24 hours”, explain the doctors.
With this method, “a patient can have the operation on a Friday and return to their normal routine on the Monday”, say the Digestive System specialists, who recommend that “to obtain optimum results, the stomach reduction should always be accompanied by a programme of re-education of eating habits and the lifestyle of the patient”.
This pioneering POSE technique of carrying out the treatment by endoscopy has several advantages, say the doctors, including a reduced risk of infection, less post-operative discomfort and a lack of visible scars, among others.
A stomach reduction without incisions is suitable for those patients with a BMI (Body Mass Index) of between 30 and 40, but under certain circumstances it can also be used for those with a BMI of over 40, such as patients who cannot be treated by surgery, situations where surgery is rejected, or as a bridging treatment before surgery. It is only recommended for those who have been unable to lose weight by dieting and taking exercise, or those who have put weight on again after having intragastric balloon treatment and do not wish to subject themselves to major surgery.
