[LAPAROSCOPIC SLEEVE GASTRECTOMY IN THE ELDERLY]

Obesity is an independent predictor of mortality, especially among patients suffering from chronic illnesses. Basically, obesity occurs as a result of an imbalance between the amount of food consumed and the energy expenditure of a person. Obesity treatment is aimed at creating a new imbalance of reduced food intake and increased energy expenditure. However, diet consultation and physical exercise have failed in the treatment of the majority of obese individuals. Surgical treatment (i.e. bariatric surgery) is aimed at reducing the amount of calories a patient can consume, and is the best treatment for weight reduction to date, and the only proven treatment for morbidly obese individuals. Despite the fact that bariatric surgery is covered by the medical insurer in Israel, individuals over the age of 65 cannot undergo bariatric surgery only on the basis of their obesity, and it requires the approval of the exceptions committee to enable coverage of the procedure. This review will focus on the prevalence of obesity in the elderly population, and will elaborate on the effect of such treatments in patients over 65 years of age compared to younger counterparts.