Princess Avenyoh
The University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) has completed Ghana’s first weight-loss surgery using a laparoscopic method.
The surgery, called sleeve gastrectomy, reduces the stomach’s size to help patients eat less and lose weight.
Dr. Kennedy Ondede from Kenya led the operation with support from Medtronic and East Cantonment Pharmacy Limited.
He explained that the surgery removes up to 80% of the stomach through small cuts, called keyhole surgery.
This helps reduce obesity-related problems like diabetes, hypertension, and infertility, giving patients a better quality of life.
The surgery is for people with a Body Mass Index (BMI) over 30, which means they are obese.
Patients can lose up to 80% of excess weight within two years with proper diet and exercise.
The procedure is safe but carries risks like infection and malnutrition if patients do not follow post-surgery care.
Dr. Dominic Darkwa said the UGMC team spent over a year preparing for this surgery in Ghana.
He noted that about 20% of Ghana’s adults live with obesity, which increases risks of heart disease and diabetes.
Over 30 health professionals worked on the surgery, including surgeons, nurses, and dietitians.
Each operation lasted about three hours because it included training sessions for the UGMC team.
Patients start a liquid diet within 24 hours and leave the hospital within three days after surgery.
UGMC encourages people with obesity to join its program for full care before and after surgery.