KUWAIT CITY, Oct 28: According to a consultant in internal medicine and gastroenterologist Dr. Wafaa Al-Hashash, Kuwait is considered the first in the Arab world for the highest number of overweight and obese people with a rate of 77 percent overweight and 40 percent obese. In an exclusive interview with Al-Seyassah Daily, she affirmed that obesity is the fifth risk factor causing death in Kuwait. Dr. Al-Hashash praised the techniques for treating obesity and weight gain in Kuwait and around the world, stressing that “Stomach Botox” is considered one of the latest obesity treatments, and is suitable for overweight patients with a body mass between 27 and 40.

At the beginning of the interview, Dr. Al-Hashash highlighted the dangers of obesity by saying, “There is no doubt that obesity rates around the world have increased significantly. In Kuwait, obesity is considered the fifth major risk factor for deaths. Reducing its rate is necessary for the treatment and prevention of its diseases. It is no secret that the rate of obesity is more widespread among adolescents and children, and constitutes a warning bell for the next generation. The prevalence of overweight and obesity is widespread among the Kuwaiti population in the age group between 18 and 29 years. Kuwait ranks first in the Arab world in terms of obesity and overweight, with a rate of 77 percent overweight and 40 percent of the population.

The risk of obesity in general lies in the diseases and symptoms that accompany it, the most important of which are general fatigue, shortness of breath, difficulty in sleeping, snoring, joint and spine pain, and esophageal reflux, as well as early puberty in girls, irregular menstruation in girls, and delayed puberty in boys.” Diseases When asked “You recently mentioned that Stomach Botox is the latest technology in treating obesity. What do you mean by Stomach Botox?”, she replied, “It is a non-surgical procedure, performed through gastroscopy. It helps accelerate weight loss by using Botox injections into the stomach to relax its muscles. This temporarily reduces muscle contractions in the stomach, in addition to helping the patient feel full for a longer period than usual to reduce food intake. The effect of Botox lasts from five to six months, and the injections can be repeated after six months.

Botox injections are considered a new revolution in the world of weight loss and obesity treatment. It is a non-surgical procedure that helps people who are overweight or obese and have exhausted all attempts without any success.” When asked if Stomach Botox is suitable for all patients, or if there are exceptions, Dr. Al-Hashash replied, “Stomach Botox is not suitable for all patients. People who suffer from significant weight gain are not eligible for this procedure. This technique is suitable for patients who are overweight and obese, with a body mass index (BMI) between 27 and 40, who suffer from poor appetite control, and who have had previous attempts to follow a healthy lifestyle without benefit.

Botox is also not suitable for pregnant or breastfeeding women, children younger than 18 years, or people who suffer from an allergy to Botox. It is suitable for people who have undergone gastric sleeve surgery and gained weight after the operation, people who suffer from binge eating and addiction, and people who suffer from health problems as a result of obesity, such as high blood pressure or pain in the joints, bones, and spine.” When asked if Botox treatment is safe, and if there are any side effects associated with it, Dr. Al-Hashash said, “Stomach Botox is a global treatment, and was recognized in Kuwait recently. It is approved in many countries of the world, such as America and Europe, and some Arab countries as well such as Egypt and Jordan.

Injection It is a safe treatment and does not cause any health problems for patients in general and there are no cracks or external wounds as a result of the injection. As for the side effects of Botox injections, they are actually what we need for stomach injections, meaning that they cause indigestion for the patient when he starts eating, and this is what we need to lose weight. The patient begins to gradually reduce the amount of food and then lose weight, and the symptoms continue for two weeks. It must be noted that Botox injections do not increase fat burning, but rather help the person feel full. The effect of Botox is temporary and can be restored after six months. It is necessary to follow up with a nutritionist, exercise, and follow a diet after the injection.”

When asked “What is the injection mechanism?”, Dr. Al-Hashash said, “Botox is injected through a gastroscope. The patient undergoes the injection after fasting for at least 12 hours to ensure that the stomach is empty of food. The doctor then injects certain amounts of Botox into the muscles in the stomach wall, which are the places that send signals of satiety and fullness, after which the person begins to feel full for a long time. The duration of injection takes between 10 to 15 minutes and does not require complete anesthesia, but only local anesthesia. The patient does not need to stay in the hospital, and the results of the injection do not appear immediately after the operation, but rather it takes between two to three weeks for the results to appear.”

By Marwa Al-Bahrawi
Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff