The Consultant of Bariatric and Family Medicine, Dr. Saleh Al-Rajhi, said that patients with obesity can engage in all the activities that suit their capabilities, including the pilgrimage; but the good planning for all aspects is necessary in this case, especially Tarwiah (watering), i.e. to take a sufficient amount of water regularly; that is to be added to scheduling the meals, taking care of the skin health and personal hygiene, particularly avoidance of friction between the thighs and as well as the arms and armpits and other similar areas by using Vaseline.
Dr. Al-Rajhi further noted that obesity is a chronic disease, and it is the main cause of many other diseases, such as diabetes (type II), high level of fats, pressure, heart diseases, erosion of arthritis, chronic back pain, polycystic ovaries, breast and uterus cancer, kidney diseases, prostate, colon, gallstones, gastro esophageal reflux disease (GERD), and many other diseases.
Furthermore, Dr. Al-Rajhi pointed out that the person is diagnosed as a patient with obesity if his body mass index is 25, given that when the body weight ranges from 25 to 29.9, this is called an increase in weight, from 30 to 34.9 is class 1 obesity, from 35 to 39.9 is class 2 obesity, and above 40 is excessive obesity.
Moreover, Dr. Al-Rajhi added that when the physician starts diagnosing the obese person, he must consider the organic, behavioral, social, physical, and psychological causes which led to onset of the disease. Besides, the physician should perform the required laboratory tests for the person.
Upon such tests, the patient can start treatment for the rest time of his life; because obesity, as mentioned, is a chronic disease.
Meanwhile, Dr. Al-Rajhi indicated that the treatment consists of medical, psychological, social, notorious, and pharmaceutical treatment, and it also includes change of behavior and lifestyle; that is to be added to the mental and emotional training.
Speaking of surgical operations and requirements needed to be met by patients with obesity, Dr. Al-Rajhi said that there are international medical conditions to be applied to the obese persons who may subject to such operations, noting that patients with obesity should make sure that such conditions are applied to them and reject the surgery if it does not suit them.
Dr. Al-Rajhi underscored that it is necessary to prepare the patient for the surgery, through cooperation between the obesity physician and the psychological and social worker for a period of not less than 6 months and 12 months; adding that the patient will pass by several stages of losing the weight, coinciding with the continuous training and evaluation, to discover the extent of the patient's potential of losing weight; because such surgeries are expensive and dangerous, and cannot be performed for those failing to pass the evaluation.
As a part of MOH's keenness to host a constellation of the most prominent physicians and consultants with various specialties to talk about the best tips for pilgrims and help them perform pilgrimage without suffering from any health disorders, Allah willing, the MOH's Media and Health Awareness Information Center has hosted Dr. Saleh Al-Rajhi, the Consultant of Bariatric and Family Medicine, at the Program (Pilgrims' Health is Our Concern) via the toll-free number: 8002494444; and through the MOH's account on Twitter: @ saudimoh.