Slow progress of bariatric surgery in Thailand: surgeons' opinions

Despite the rapid popularity of bariatric surgery in many countries, this type of surgery has not become very prevalent in Thailand. The purpose of this study was to find out the attitude of Thai general surgeons regarding the advisability of bariatric surgery to obese people.

Questionnaires were sent to 500 general surgeons asking about their knowledge and opinion regarding the concepts and recommendation of bariatric surgery in their practice.

One hundred and sixty-nine surgeons responded to the questionnaires. They were grouped into general surgeons who were not practicing laparoscopic surgery, laparoscopic surgeons who were not doing bariatric surgery and bariatric surgeons. Overall, no more than 50% could give correct answers about the definition of body mass index (BMI) and the mechanism of bariatric surgery. Only about one third and one half of the first two groups of surgeons, respectively, agreed with the recommendation of using surgery to reduce morbid obesity and they gave various reasons, some of which were not based on current and correct knowledge.

At least half of the Thai surgeons who were not practicing bariatric surgery did not agree with the concept of surgical weight reduction. However, their attitude was not based on sound knowledge and current evidence.