The Obesity and Weight Management Forum in Iloilo
Obesity is the world's latest epidemic. Numerous remedies have been formulated to counter obesity. Diet pills, medications, exercise programs, diet regimens such as Atkins, South Beach, and Cabbage play side by side in a battle where obesity always win.
To raise awareness among Ilonggos, Dr. Hildegardes Dineros of Healing Hand Clinic at St. Luke's Medical Center in Manila held a brief Obesity and Weight Management Forum at the La Paz Function Room of Days Hotel Iloilo last May 7, 2006.
The Forum was led by two of Dr. Dineros' patients, Marichel Magalona and Buchay Magalona. TNT's Dr. Florentino Alerta shared some of his knowledge regarding obesity and listened as the fellow medical professional lectures on the causes of obesity, its effects, and the recent breakthroughs to counter the epidemic.
"When Dr. Dineros told me to get rid of my weighing scale, I thought it was impossible. Now, I've lost a lot of pounds," testified Buchay Magalona. She narrated her inspiring story of transformation before the more than twenty people inside the room.
"When you eat, ask yourself... is it for nourishment? The major cause of obesity is overeating," explained Dr. Dineros who decided to deliver a lecture here in Iloilo after his trip in Cebu and Bacolod.
Dr. Dineros also pointed out the imbalance between caloric input (food intake) and energy expenditure (activities) as one of the contributing factors in gaining weight. "Fat accumulates when caloric intake is greater than calories burned," Dr. Dineros added.
Bariatric surgery is the latest invasive procedure that answers the problem of obesity. It has been long existing and has been performed in other countries. In the Philippines though, the operation was just introduced few years ago.
In bariatric surgery, food intake is lessen due to the deceased capacity of the stomach brought about by either gastric banding or gastric bypass. Thus, the body utilizes the excess fat as a source of energy. The very reason why, by nature, the process is gradual.
The surgery is costly yet the results are great. Bariatric surgery is said to eradicate the life-threatening diseases that accompany obesity up to 99%.
Surgery alone cannot fight obesity. It has to be accompanied by a healthy lifestyle modification and a handful of self-discipline.
"Park your car somewhere and walk your way to your office or destination... it's a matter of modifying your activities," Buchay Magalona, who confessed how bariatric surgery changed her life, advised the audience.
The forum enlightened more Ilonggos and armed them in their battle against obesity. Ilonggos were indeed privileged to have such a talk with the country's most sought-after obesity surgeon, Dr. Dineros himself.