More recordings for gastric bypass, the waiting list goes on – Radar

As all non-critical care is scaled back due to COVID-19, treatments such as gastric bypass are being postponed. Each month, these people, along with a few hundred others, are placed on a waiting list of 2,000 obese patients.

Corona infection is much more dangerous for obese people

There is a small chance that someone will end up in intensive care after gastric bypass surgery. “This chance is 1 in 1,000, but it turned out to be enough to cancel operations,” says Cobus Dijkhurst, director of the Dutch Obesity Clinic.

This treatment falls under the care that can be postponed, without losing years of life or permanent damage to health. Dijkhorst also points out. But this is worrying because now people are motivated to lose weight. Corona infection is also much more dangerous for obese people.

The virus uses belly fat as storage

Endocrinologist Liesbeth van Rossum explains to NOS that belly fat serves as a storage place for the virus. Virus particles settle in adipose tissue and cause all kinds of infections. As a result, the immune system is on constant alert and cannot target the coronavirus particles themselves.”

Not the only solution

So a gastric bypass could be a solution, but according to Van Rossum, it’s not the only one. People who are obese can also benefit from weight-loss medications and “joint lifestyle intervention”, which help a person lead a healthier life. Every part helps. Even standing on one leg while brushing your teeth makes sense.

source: we