7 Benefits to Bariatric Surgery Besides Helping You Lose Weight
The benefits of weight-loss surgery are physical, mental, and in many cases, transformational. Here are a few of the advantages that go beyond the scale.
The primary benefit of weight-loss surgery is right there in the name — bariatric procedures are an effective and safe way to help patients lose significant amounts of weight. Reaching a healthy body weight can mean a longer life span, improved mobility, and better self-esteem, all benefits that most people are actively seeking out when researching treatment.
But as compelling as these results are, there are additional ways that weight-loss surgery can impact your overall health, many of which you might not have anticipated. Here are a few benefits many people experience after undergoing bariatric procedures like gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy that go beyond simple weight loss.
1. Diabetes Reversal
Diabetes is a serious health condition that is linked to obesity — in fact, 11.8% of overweight adults and 20.7% of obese adults suffer from the disease. Type 2 diabetes often progresses gradually, causing eye, kidney, and nerve damage, as well as increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke. Fortunately, bariatric surgery can help patients manage their diabetes symptoms, and even, in some cases, eliminate them entirely. One study reported that after undergoing a gastric bypass, 65% of people no longer required diabetes medication.
2. Lower Risk of Cancer
In addition to diabetes, obesity can have other health consequences, including various types of cancer. Excess weight tends to inflame our cells, which causes changes in our bodies that can include the development of cancerous cells. It’s no wonder, then, that bariatric surgery has been proven to reduce the risk of hormonal cancers
3. Freedom from Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a potentially dangerous condition that obstructs the throat during sleep, causing breathing to stop and start. It is particularly common among people who are obese or overweight. Weight loss after bariatric surgery therefore makes it far easier for people with sleep apnea to stop using the CPAP machine that ensures their airways remain open at night. In general, losing weight can also promote a deeper and more restful sleep.
4. Joint Pain Relief
Carrying excess weight can have a considerable effect on your joints, often leading to pain and discomfort. People who lose weight after bariatric surgery tend to report both improved mobility and reduced joint pain. Less stress on your joints also means lower likelihood of injury, which can be intensely painful and require surgery to heal.
5. Improved Fertility and Erectile Function
Some women within childbearing years may have trouble conceiving if they are overweight, as they are more likely to experience problems with ovulation or periods. If you’re a woman considering having children, weight-loss surgery can improve your chances of becoming pregnant. For men, obesity can lead to erectile dysfunction, often the result of hypertension or cardiovascular disease. Fortunately, bariatric surgery is proven to improve sexual function for many patients.
6. More Energy
Exercising with excess weight can take a toll on your energy levels. What’s more, obesity tends to interfere with your sleep, leading to conditions like sleep apnea. Better sleep and greater mobility add up to more energy in your day-to-day life. You’ll also likely experience a boost in oxygen efficiency, meaning you won’t run out of breath nearly as easily as you used to before the surgery.
7. Reduced Allergy and Asthma Symptoms
Excess weight can impact your respiratory system, increasing your likelihood of experiencing both asthma and allergies. Losing weight through bariatric surgery also makes it easier and more enjoyable to exercise, which in turn improves your respiratory health, making for less severe asthma and allergy symptoms.
If you want to learn more about the physical and mental benefits of weight-loss surgery, get in touch with the Long Island Laparoscopic Doctors today. We’ll walk you through what to expect from bariatric surgery over the course of a free 10-minute call, or you can schedule an appointment to speak with one of our experienced doctors in person.