PESHAWAR: Experts have urged obese people to undergo surgeries to stay safe from host of health problems like diabetes, hypertension and chest issues, and enjoy a better lifestyle. They were speaking at the concluding session of a two-day bariatric surgery master class held at Khyber Teaching Hospital, according to a press release issued here on Wednesday. Prof Mahmud Aurangzeb, dean Khyber Medical College, said obesity caused high blood pressure, stroke, heart attack, high cholesterol, cancer and arthritis, so it was important to undergo surgery to get rid of it. “During the last five years, our surgeons have performed over 1,000 bariatric surgeries free of cost, and the results were in accordance with international standards,” he said. Prof Mohammad Zarin, lead bariatric surgeon, said that optimum weight loss was achieved in the majority of patients. “Obesity has become a major public health issue but the people have yet to fully benefit from the latest form of surgery that has been introduced in public sector hospitals,” he said. Prof Zarin also brushed aside the impression that it was unnecessary to undergo bariatric surgery as it can prove dangerous and the people can again experience obesity, emphasising that the procedures at the right time enabled patients to stay safe from problems. Prof Muzaffaruddin Sadiq, a general surgeon, said at present there were no proper medicines to control obesity, but after research of five decades, health experts introduced bariatric surgery, which effectively controlled it. “Obesity or metabolic syndrome is a complex disease and isn’t just a cosmetic concern as it increases the risk of other problems like diabetes, blood pressure, arthritis, chest and cardiac issues, infertility and certain cancers,” he said. “It is the surgical treatment of a disease, so it could have complications just like other surgical procedures. “Bariatric surgery is not dangerous nor are there any chances of the people regaining weight after undergoing surgery,” he made clear. Live surgery demonstrations were also conducted by experts, offering the participants hands-on exposure to advanced bariatric techniques.