Hôpital Privé La Casamance fights obesity

The fight against obesity

Set up in 2005, the multidisciplinary centre for the treatment of obesity has a very positive track record, with an average of 300 bariatric surgery operations per year and 1,500 follow-up consultations.

In the mid-2000s, bariatric surgery was still relatively unknown to the general public, but Hôpital Privé La Casamance led the way by opening its multidisciplinary obesity care centre. This comprehensive care offering provides overweight and/or obese patients with innovative, personalised care, thanks to a multidisciplinary team made up of a wide range of specialists (surgeons, nurse referent, psychiatrist, addictologist, psychologist, doctor, nutritionist, radiologist, anaesthetist, gastroenterologist, cardiologist, pneumologist, dietician, physiotherapist and adapted physical activity teacher). Each month, these different specialists meet as a committee in a multidisciplinary consultation meeting to propose the best treatment for each patient.

A comprehensive, multidisciplinary service for morbidly obese patients

The centre is primarily aimed at morbidly obese patients who are candidates for bariatric surgery. " With diet alone, the probability of a morbidly obese patient returning to a normal weight is 1 in 1000. In the case of surgery, there is a 60-70% chance of good results at 5 years ". But to be eligible, it is not enough for patients to be morbidly obese. They have to undergo a full 6-month assessment and preparation to ensure that there are no contraindications to the operation.

In order to limit weight gain after surgery, it is "essential that a patient is well prepared, then well monitored". The success of an operation is measured over time, with weight loss maintained for several years after surgery. Follow-up consultations are therefore compulsory, to detect weight regain and any late complications, sometimes asymptomatic, some time after the operation ".

Key stages in the success of bariatric surgery

TheMétamorpho'z association, chaired by Elisabeth TARDIF, obesity referral nurse at Hôpital Privé La Casamance, helps to strengthen the link between the healthcare team and patients. It's a place for patients to meet, share and exchange ideas.

All former and future patients can take part in monthly workshops and discuss their experiences and feelings. A wide range of people are involved, offering sessions in relaxation therapy, hypnosis, balneotherapy and workshops on self-image. The association's 500 members can also call on 4 "expert" patients, who have been operated on for several years, to answer their questions.

The SOFT programme (Surpoids, Objectif, Forme, Training)

This programme is aimed at people who suffer from eating disorders without weight criteria. Dr Sophie RASSON, a psychiatrist at La Casamance, supervises this multidisciplinary programme based on sessions of psycho-nutrition, group psychotherapy, physiotherapy and adapted physical activity, which enables patients to resume physical activity, better manage their emotions about food, rediscover their eating sensations and reduce compulsive eating and overeating.