The medical symposium CME Training Programme took place on March 16, 2024, in Ho Chi Minh City to commemorate World Obesity Day, jointly organised by FV Hospital and Hanoi Medical University. Themed “Modern and Effective Weight Loss Treatment Update,” this gathering welcomed over 200 attendees, including doctors and experts in the treatment of bariatric patients and obesity-related conditions.

Gastric bypass surgery brings high effectiveness in treating obesity.

To kick off, representing the organising unit, Vu Truong Son, MD, MSc (Deputy Medical Director – FV Hospital) expressed gratitude to the speakers, sponsors, and attendees of the training programme. Dr Son shared, “The alarming rise in obesity and obesity-related conditions necessitates urgent attention. Through this programme, I hope that colleagues will gain comprehensive collaborative approaches to help patients achieve desired treatment outcomes.” The training programme then proceeded with coordination from the chairpersons, including Le Quan Anh Tuan, MD, PhD, Chief of the Department of HepatoBiliary and Pancreatic Surgery (University Medical Centre, Ho Chi Minh City); Kallayanee Porngometkul, MD, PhD (Yanhee International Hospital, Thailand) and Vu Truong Son, MD, MSc.

According to the World Health Organisation, around 2.6 billion people are overweight or obese, accounting for 38 per cent of the world’s population. By 2035, this figure is projected to reach 51 per cent, with the rate of obesity in children described as “alarmingly high.”

To kick off the programme, Kallayanee Porngometkul, MD, PhD (Yanhee International Hospital, Thailand) briefly presented alarming statistics, the causes of obesity, and shared details about her obesity treatment centre in Thailand. “A crucial aspect of obesity treatment for patients is understanding the neural mechanisms in response to eating,” Dr Porngometkul stated.

She also outlined several treatment options that could be quickly implemented in Vietnam, such as treatment with Liraglutide medication, intragastric balloon insertion, gastric sleeve surgery, and fat freezing, citing clinical results that have demonstrated the effectiveness of these methods.

Next, Vo Duy Long, MD, PhD (Deputy Chief, Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery – University Medical Centre, Ho Chi Minh City) and Specialist Level 2, Phan Van Thai, MD, MSc (Head of General Surgery, FV Hospital), presented on the obesity treatment approaches being implemented at their respective institutions. They mainly focused on the non-surgical method of gastric sleeve surgery performed via endoscopy (LSG).

Dr Long emphasised, “Our initial success stems from careful consultation, accurate patient selection, and appropriate treatment guidance.” He also mentioned that, depending on various body indices, physical condition, and psychological factors, patients must receive recommendations from internal medicine and surgery, combined with the formation of improved lifestyle habits during treatment.

Meanwhile, with the results of monitoring nearly 40 patients who underwent gastric sleeve surgery at FV Hospital from 2017 to the present, as well as comparisons with similar studies worldwide, Dr Phan Van Thai demonstrated the safety and high effectiveness of the LSG surgical procedure and postoperative care at FV Hospital. “This is a simple surgery with few complications. However, the true effectiveness of obesity treatment depends greatly on postoperative care and the patient’s maintenance of a healthy lifestyle,” Dr Thai affirmed.

The role of nutrition and support from cosmetic surgery

From another perspective, Dr Daniel Charles Bialeoko, Head of Plastic Surgery & Cosmetics Department, FV Lifestyle Clinic, shared his expertise and technology in addressing excess fat accumulation. He emphasised the importance of advising and guiding clients towards a natural beauty approach. Dr Daniel’s methods range from laser therapy, liposuction, and ultrasound waves to a special body contouring technique, which he refers to as “body sculpting,” all of which have helped many of his clients achieve their desired physique safely and effectively.

In the next part of the training programme, Specialist Level 2, Nguyen Viet Quynh Thu, MD, MSc (Head of Nutrition & Dietetics Department, FV Hospital) and Nguyen Thuy Linh, MD, PhD (Deputy Head of Nutrition Department, Hanoi Medical University Hospital) presented approaches to treating obesity from internal medicine and nutrition perspectives. Dr Thu focused on specific nutritional strategies in patient screening, proposing appropriate diet and exercise regimens, or coordinating between internal medicine and surgery. Meanwhile, Dr Linh delved into the treatment of obesity in children and presented specific case studies.

Dr Thu emphasised: “Personalising therapy and closely monitoring the progress of each overweight patient is currently a strength at FV. In addition to applying effective nutritional therapy for patients, we also coordinate between specialties to ensure the optimal effectiveness of weight loss treatment for each patient.”

However, implementing such specialised units is still a challenge for most hospitals. Furthermore, Dr Linh noted that one of the current difficulties is assisting patients in adhering to treatment guidelines and collaborating with their physician in monitoring and adjusting their protocol. “We encounter many patients who abandon treatment when they were progressing well, especially paediatric patients,” Dr Linh stated.

Currently, the incidence of obesity in Vietnam is showing signs of rapid increase, which is predicted to pose significant health and economic burdens if specific action programmes are not implemented. Through the programme, it is hoped that attendees gained an understanding of the challenges and current comprehensive approaches, combining methods, specialties, and psychological support, in order to achieve the best treatment outcomes for overweight and obese patients.