SURGICAL-TREATMENT OF PATHOLOGICAL OBESIT Y - THE NUTRITIONISTS POINT-OF-VIEW

Due to the consequences of pathological obesity on morbidity and morta lity, the weight problems of such patients need to be treated energeti cally. It is legitimate to consider surgical treatment following repea ted failure of medical management. Due to its potential consequences o n the patient's nutritional status and lifestyle, obesity surgery can only be performed by complying with strict selection criteria and by u sing the least aggressive techniques, i.e. gastroplasty. A new techniq ue, gastric cerclage, appears to be promising in this context more. Be cause of the risk of weight resumption after the operation, surgery mu st be integrated into a more global approach, essentially based on nut rition, psychotherapy and physical activity.