Jean Bitar Hospital celebrates 5 years of the Zero Obesity program with 2,266 surgeries

With 2,266 bariatric surgeries performed, the State Government celebrates this month five years of the Zero Obesity Program, executed by the multidisciplinary team of Jean Bitar Hospital (HJB) in Belém. The program has been a turning point for patients of the Unified Health System (SUS) in Pará, transforming lives, promoting well-being, and new perspectives.

For the State Secretary of Health, Ivete Vaz, celebrating five years of the Zero Obesity Program is to celebrate transformed lives. “Each surgery represents more health, self-esteem, and new opportunities for the people of Pará. Stories like Lussandra's show that the program goes beyond treating obesity: it restores dignity and hope to families. The State Government remains committed to expanding this specialized care through SUS.”

Among the thousands of stories filled with challenges, determination, courage, and the fight to achieve their dreams, is the inspiring journey of a user who found in the Zero Obesity Program the opportunity for new perspectives, which also encouraged her brother to enroll in the program.

User Lussandra do Socorro Costa da Costa started in the program in 2020, weighing 117 kg. A year later, during the pre-operative treatment, she lost 16 kg, arriving on the day of surgery weighing 101 kg. After the procedure, she achieved a total weight loss of 60 kg, with 44 kg lost only in the post-surgical period.

She highlights that she faced several challenges during her high degree of obesity, including difficulties in mobility and discrimination, which directly impacted her quality of life and self-esteem.

“The program changed my life, it aligned me 360 degrees. With that, I had the privilege of taking care of my mother again, who had health problems. Soon after, I found a new profession because I learned that besides taking care of myself, I could take care of other people,” she pointed out.

Lussandra emphasized the importance of the program through SUS. She notes that the treatment offers effective results, beyond the surgery itself. For her, the process represents self-confidence, self-love, and new opportunities, such as returning to study and realizing her dreams, which are now more ambitious to maintain her quality of life. "The program encourages friends and families in search of a healthier future."

Now, waiting anxiously for the surgical process is Lussandra's brother, patient Lander Valber Costa da Costa, 44 years old. He enrolled in 'Zero Obesity' six months ago and is in the phase of consultations and exams, and has already started changing habits, such as diet and walking. He weighs 142 kg and recalls that at 18 years old, he weighed 73 kg.

Lander shared that he was happy to join the program, as he had already encouraged his sister to participate five years ago. His sister's achievement and the encouragement inspired him to enroll. “The program has been one of the best things for us because it has helped and continues to help many people, who are now doing very well, enjoying the best of life, exercising, eating better, and with a better quality of life,” he said, who is a caregiver for the elderly.

The coordinator of the Zero Obesity program and coordinator of the bariatric surgery team at HJB, surgeon Carlos Armando Ribeiro, emphasizes that the project is essential and needs to be maintained over time, as it ensures that patients with severe obesity always have access to the best therapeutic option available.

“The program is a great tool in controlling obesity. We know that obesity is a pandemic and that its numbers are only increasing worldwide. With the consumption of ultra-processed foods and sedentary lifestyles, there is a staggering increase in this condition. Having a program that facilitates access for the population of Pará to bariatric and metabolic surgery represents a significant advance in health, increasing life expectancy,” he stressed.

Program - Bariatric surgery, also known as gastroplasty, is performed using the laparoscopic technique, one of the main strategies in the treatment of grade 3 obesity. The procedure reduces the size of the stomach and, combined with other care practices, enables the necessary weight loss for the patient.

Sespa informs that those interested in participating in the program should access the official website and perform a self-assessment, including the calculation of the Body Mass Index (BMI). Patients with a BMI of 40 kg/m² or higher, or between 35 and 40 kg/m² with associated comorbidities, are eligible for surgery. After screening, candidates undergo a detailed medical evaluation with a multidisciplinary team.

The program's differential lies in the preparation carried out with the support of the multidisciplinary team, an essential factor for adherence to the new lifestyle. The preparation period for surgery can vary from six months to two years, depending on the patient's adherence to treatment.

This is a comprehensive state program that guarantees clinical evaluation, performance of exams, medical consultations, surgery, and follow-up at all stages, before and after the procedure.

The Executive Director of Jean Bitar Hospital, hospital administrator Giovani Merenda, celebrates the 2,266 bariatric surgeries performed since the launch of the Zero Obesity Program. "It is a tremendous satisfaction to see the positive impact of the program on patients' lives. These are transformed lives, with new future perspectives. I want to congratulate our multidisciplinary team for their commitment and dedication that ensure the success of 'Zero Obesity,'" emphasized the manager while thanking the support of the State Government, through Sespa, which allows continuing the mission of caring for the health of SUS users.

More information and registration on the official website: https://www.cadastrobariatrica.pa.gov.br/.

Service:

HJB provides assistance in medium and high complexity in the outpatient and hospital areas for transgender users, and in medical and surgical clinics for patients with metabolic and gastrointestinal diseases. The unit is located at Rua Cônego Jerônimo Pimentel, No. 543, in the Umarizal neighborhood, in Belém. More information: (91) 3239.3800.

Text by Vera Rojas / Ascom HJB