Bariatric surgeon Sven Troost: obesity is not always the person's own fault

Bariatric surgeon Sven Troost (54) explains that obesity is not always the person's own doing, with patients coming to his practice who live healthily but still gain weight. The doctor believes the mindset "get yourself together and eat less" is outdated. He also raises the question of whether new weight-loss medications such as Ozempic affect the work of bariatric surgeons.

Bariatric surgeon Sven Troost, who practises in Estonia, is convinced that obesity is not always the person's own fault. "My practice also sees patients who cycle regularly, do water aerobics, carefully monitor what they eat, and nothing helps," says the 54-year-old doctor.

Troost emphasises that the common attitude in society, as if an obese person should simply "get themselves together and eat less," has had its day. Behind obesity can lie hormonal, genetic and metabolic factors that cannot be solved by lifestyle changes alone.

As a topical issue, Troost also raises the question of whether Ozempic and other next-generation weight-loss medications are taking bread from the table of bariatric surgeons. The popularity of these medications has grown explosively in recent years, and many patients prefer to try them before considering surgery.

More detailed views and Troost's answers to the most pressing questions can be found by purchasing the full article.