With 32% of the population considered obese, the UAE is ranked 20th among the most obese countries in the world.

Obesity is a condition that occurs when excess fat accumulates in the body. However, it is not just a cosmetic concern; the increased presence of body fat increases the risk of developing other diseases and health complications, such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and certain types of cancer. There are numerous reasons why people gain weight and have difficulty losing it. Obesity results from inherited, physiological and environmental factors, along with diet, physical activity and exercise habits.

The good news is that even modest weight loss can improve or prevent the health problems that are associated with the condition. Having a healthier diet, increasing physical activity and addressing contributing behavioral issues can help those affected lose weight and become healthier. Depending on the case, and should your doctors see fit, prescription medications and weight loss procedures serve as additional options when treating obesity.

At SSMC, our multidisciplinary team of highly trained experts will work with you to help you achieve your weight loss goals, granting you a safe, high-quality, specialty-specific continuum of care for the best individual health outcomes. When tailoring each patient’s unique treatment plan, every member of our team integrates the SSMC Model of Care at every point and interaction throughout your weight loss journey, always putting your needs first.

    • Back or joint pain
    • Depression
    • Difficulty sleeping
    • Excessive sweating
    • Infections in skin folds
    • Intolerance to heat
    • Shortness of breath
  • For an efficient diagnosis and treatment plan, our care team will conduct a series of tests, including an analysis of your medical history, a physical exam and tests such as:
    • Blood tests
    • Body mass index (BMI) calculation
    • Nutritional assessments
    • Waist circumference measurement
  • Our team guides patients by creating personalized plans focusing on key achievable steps to help them lose weight and maintain weight loss, such as avoiding saturated fats, limiting sugary foods and beverages, and engaging in regular exercise to induce weight loss and reduce excess fat.

    For more complex cases, surgical or minimally invasive procedures may be recommended to reduce the size of the stomach and help the patient feel full faster. Such procedures include:
    • Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty
    • Intragastric balloon
    As for surgical treatments, they are successful in limiting and restricting the amount of food a patient consumes, either by reducing the size of the stomach or by making excess quantities of food bypass it. Such procedures include:
    • Laparoscopic gastric bypass
    • Laparoscopic mini-bypass and SADI-S
    • Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG)
    • Revision bariatric surgery

Consultants and specialists