6 Reasons You Should Consider Weight Loss Surgery This Year
When the clock struck midnight on December 31st, many people set goals for themselves in the coming year. One of the most common New Year’s resolutions is, of course, to lose weight.
Many people decide they will join a gym or follow a healthy diet to shed extra pounds. But for those who are clinically obese (anyone with a body mass index of 35 or more) losing weight may require additional tools.
For some people, weight loss surgery such as gastric bypass or gastric sleeve procedures could be the best option. If you are contemplating having surgery to conquer your weight issues, you’ll realize advantages beyond just a slimmer physique. In fact, researchers have documented six medical benefits of weight loss surgery.
Improved Cardiovascular Health.
If you suffer from high blood pressure (hypertension), bariatric surgery has been shown to either reverse the condition or reduce the need for medication. A study published in Circulation, a journal of the American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association, found half of gastric bypass patients had lower blood pressure after surgery.
According to a 2017 research study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, weight loss surgery reduced the long-term risk of heart failure as well. After reviewing the medical status of more than 3,000 people, half of whom had undergone a gastric bypass, 24 of the surgery patients had been diagnosed with heart failure eight years after the procedure, compared to 55 of those who had not had surgery.
Alleviates Depression and Improves Quality of Life.
Not only does obesity impact physical wellbeing, it affects mental health, too. Obesity has been linked to mental health issues including anxiety and depression.
A study published in Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases compared the long-term health-related quality of life outcomes – including mental and psychosocial markers – of people who had weight loss surgery and those who did not. Two years after the procedure, bariatric surgery patients experienced an uptick in mental health. Similarly, the University of California at Los Angeles surveyed bariatric surgery patients at UCLA Health. Nearly all reported improved quality of life following the surgery.
Improved Fertility.
Carrying extra pounds is also associated with infertility, mainly due to polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Between 30% to 70% of women who have this condition are also obese. For women who want to become pregnant, bariatric surgery could help them conceive, as documented in one research study conducted in Canada. Of the 783 obese woman reviewed, 47% became pregnant after weight loss surgery.
Restful Sleep.
People who are obese may also be plagued by poor sleep, and weight loss surgery can help. According to a 2013 analysis of 69 studies highlighted by UCLA Health, covering 13,900 patients, between 70% and 80% of patients who had undergone some form of weight loss surgery reported more restful sleep.
In addition, obesity is correlated with a condition called obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) that causes people to stop breathing during sleep. A survey of 1,000 people revealed that more than 60% of those classified as obese experienced OSA. The Cleveland Clinic reports bariatric surgery achieves OSA remission in 80% to 85% of patients.
Reduced Joint Pain.
Extra pounds strain your body’s vulnerable joints, leading to pain and osteoarthritis. Painful joints may also force obese people to forego exercise, which can prevent weight loss or cause additional weight gain.
One way to lessen joint discomfort and get moving again is through weight loss surgery. According to UCLA Health, bariatric surgery patients were free of knee pain just three months after the procedure, and more than 80% of patients reported fewer bouts of back pain following the surgery.
Management of Type 2 Diabetes.
Perhaps the most dramatic result from weight loss surgery is the management or, in some cases, elimination of Type 2 diabetes. Back in 2012, the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), published an article looking at the effects of bariatric surgery six years after patients had undergone the procedure. Compared to the non-surgical group, 62% of surgery patients showed no signs of the disease.
The evidence is clear that most patients who choose weight loss surgery experience lasting benefits for their overall health and quality of life. To find out more about the advantages of weight loss surgery, contact one of the medical experts at Long Island Laparoscopic Doctors. Our skilled clinicians can determine whether weight loss surgery can help you achieve your goals – and which procedure is best for you.