Apprehensions of Morbidly Obese People Regarding Bariatric Surgery

Awareness of Bariatric Sleeve Gastrectomy Complications Among the General Population of Saudi Arabian Regions

Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) is a type of procedure called bariatric surgery that provides large weight loss and has a positive impact on diseases associated with obesity. However, it has brought several complications that have an impact on those undergoing surgery, which are classified into intraoperative and postoperative issues. The study's goal is to assess the Saudi Arabian population's awareness of SG consequences. This study assessed the general population's knowledge in Saudi Arabia in 2023 using a cross-sectional approach. The total number of participants was 1,013, the majority of whom were individuals between the ages of 18 and 25 (471, 46%), and females (692, 68%). A total of 692 (68%) participants showed awareness of BMI; in addition, 987 (97%) were aware of gastric sleeve surgery, and 538 (53%) understood its indications correctly. Regarding SG complications, approximately 821 (81%) of participants showed awareness. There were significant associations between knowledge of gastric sleeve surgery and residence in the northern region of Saudi Arabia. In conclusion, our study indicated that the general population is aware of the complications of gastric sleeve surgery, but it found a deficiency in their knowledge about BMI.

Prevalence and Awareness of Obesity and Bariatric Surgeries in the Northern Borders Region, Saudi Arabia

Introduction Obesity is a complex health issue affecting millions worldwide, characterized by excessive body fat accumulation, often leading to various health complications. Bariatric surgeries are effective interventions for severe obesity, assisting patients in attaining substantial weight reduction and enhancing their overall well-being. This study aimed to assess obesity patterns and bariatric surgery prevalence in the Northern Borders region of Saudi Arabia to increase community knowledge and awareness about obesity and bariatric surgery. Methods This cross-sectional study included 386 residents in the Northern Borders region, Saudi Arabia. The participants completed a previously validated self-administered electronic questionnaire, and the confidentiality of the collected data was ensured. Results Nearly 58.3% of the participants (31-40 years), with a predominance of females, had a body mass index (BMI) >30, and 33.7% had undergone bariatric surgery. Most participants (92.5%) were aware that obesity is associated with significant medical issues, 98.2% appreciated that there is a surgical method to reduce weight, and 58.8% indicated that the procedure was not safe. Additionally, the majority of the respondents (57.0%) were not sure about the complications of weight-loss surgeries, and only 28.0% knew that surgeries for obesity and their complications may lead to death. Significant associations were found between age, education level, and BMI concerning the knowledge of obesity/bariatric surgery (p=0.003, 0.001, 0.002), respectively. However, gender and work status did not show such associations (p> 0.05). Conclusion Our study highlighted a lack of knowledge among the community regarding the safety, potential complications, and survival outcomes associated with obesity and bariatric surgery that could be due to ignorance and reluctance to pursue bariatric surgery to overcome morbid obesity. Significantly, the study found a relationship between age, education level, BMI, and knowledge of obesity and bariatric surgery.