Findings from the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2023 report reveal 54.5% of Malaysian adults are categorised as overweight or obese. The findings reflect a continued upward trend over the past decade, with obesity rates having surged by close to 10% since 2011.
Experts attribute obesity – which could lead to conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and heart disease – to the sedentary lifestyles and unhealthy eating habits of Malaysians.
While a healthy diet and regular exercise can help with weight loss and management, some people may opt for treatments such as bariatric surgery to shed their excess weight.
“Over the past decade, demand for bariatric surgery has been on the rise, driven by increased awareness of the health risks and complications associated with obesity,” said Dr Nik Ritza Kosai Nik Mahmood, a consultant in gastrointestinal and obesity surgery at a hospital in Kuala Lumpur.
According to Nik Ritza, several bariatric surgical procedures are available, including vertical sleeve gastrectomy, mini-gastric bypass, and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. All three procedures are performed using the laparoscopic technique, or minimally invasive surgery.
“These procedures work by altering how the body processes food to reduce calorie absorption, directly limiting stomach capacity and rerouting a part of the small intestine to decrease the absorption of calories and nutrients,” he explained.
Allurion swallowable balloon
Nik Ritza notes that an increasing number of people are now opting for an innovative, non-invasive treatment – the swallowable intragastric balloon (IGB).
He said this procedure is recommended for individuals with a body mass index (BMI) of 27.5 and above, particularly those with severe obesity or who are unable to achieve weight loss through diet and exercise.
“The IGB is a device inserted into the stomach either via endoscopy or by swallowing a special capsule. It works by limiting food intake and inducing a sense of fullness more quickly,” he said, adding the entire procedure takes only 10-20 minutes.
Nik Ritza said there are various types of IGBs, but only one – the Allurion balloon – does not require an endoscopy for insertion.
“All a patient has to do is swallow a capsule, and once the balloon is inflated with 550ml of water, it remains in the stomach for four months. After that, the balloon will naturally deflate and exit the body through the digestive system during bowel movements.
“The balloon is made of polyurethane or elastomer polymers, which are durable and flexible and designed to withstand the stomach’s internal pressure. The risk of balloon rupture is very low, making this procedure safe and simple.”
Lifestyle changes still essential
The presence of the balloon in the stomach makes the patient feel full more quickly, sometimes after consuming just a quarter plate of food. “When a calorie deficit occurs in the body, it burns more calories and fat, thereby helping the patient to lose weight,” he said.
The Allurion procedure, however, is not a quick-fix solution to obesity even though it has been proven to reduce body weight by 10-15%. Patients must still commit to making lifestyle changes, including increasing physical activity and maintaining a controlled calorie intake.
“Try to reduce foods that contribute to weight gain – this is the most important step. And, exercise more frequently,” he advised.
Pointing to data derived from a one-year analysis of 486 patients who underwent the balloon procedure, Nik Ritza reported that after four months, patients experienced an average weight loss of 10.5%
Even after a year – despite the balloon no longer being in the stomach – weight loss continued to up to 13.7% of original body weight.
Success stories
Nur Amalina Elias, a 33-year-old civil servant, is among those who have undergone the IGB procedure. She lost 4kg in two months.
Weighing in at 90kg before the treatment, she said: “I’m still young but I already suffer from knee pain, which makes it difficult for me to perform prayers. Moreover, my attempts to control my food intake were unsuccessful.”
She noted that her weight-loss progress following the IGB procedure was slower and less impressive owing to her knee pain, which made exercising challenging.
Meanwhile, 30-year-old Aqilah Yunus said she experienced a remarkable weight loss of 23kg after undergoing IGB treatment in January 2023. From a starting point of 114kg, she now weighs 89.5kg.
“I saw results in the first week itself. Over four months, I reduced my sugar intake while doing exercises like brisk walking and now I feel much lighter. Climbing stairs is no longer a problem,” she said.