Study Shows That Weight Loss Surgery is Effective No Matter How Long You’ve Been Obese

Weight loss surgery is effective for people who’ve developed obesity later in life as well as for those who’ve struggled with the condition for years.

Obesity is a complex condition with a variety of causes — and everyone’s struggle with weight loss is unique. Some people have been fighting a lifelong battle with obesity because of genetics or a metabolic disorder, while others have put on excess pounds recently due to stress or sudden life changes. Regardless of how the condition developed, you deserve a long, happy, and healthy life — and bariatric surgery can help you achieve that. 

Fortunately, a recent study has found that weight loss surgery is highly effective in treating weight-related health problems no matter how long you’ve been obese. Here’s what you need to know.

Study Finds Weight Loss Surgery Effective at Any Point in Life

One of the common misconceptions about weight loss surgery is that it will be less effective for individuals who have long been obese because the condition is too advanced. It’s true that fighting obesity can be an uphill battle, but it’s certainly not impossible. A recent weight loss study at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden proves the effectiveness of bariatric surgery at any stage.  

Researchers analyzed data collected from over 4,000 obese adults, half who had undergone weight loss surgery and half who had not. The study participants were then divided into three groups — normal, overweight, or obese — based on their body mass index at age 20. Researchers expected that people who were already obese by age 20 would experience fewer health benefits than those who had become obese later in life, but the study results defied expectations.

There was no significant difference in bariatric surgery’s effects on obesity or its complications between the early-onset obesity group and the late-onset obesity group. What’s more, the study participants who were already obese at 20 actually lost more weight after the procedure than the other group. 

In other words, the results are in — weight loss surgery works! With this new information, physicians can more confidently recommend weight loss surgery to anyone who has been struggling with their weight, from teens to adults over 60.

Get a New Lease on Life with Weight Loss Surgery

The right time to have weight loss surgery is now, no matter how old you are or how long you’ve been obese. Whether you’ve suffered from obesity your entire life or you’ve just received a diagnosis, it’s important to understand that it’s never too late to change course. 

Cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes are two of the most serious health complications caused by obesity, but they are also reversible. In fact, a University of Pittsburgh study found that 40 percent of the study’s gastric bypass recipients experienced partial or complete diabetes remission. With bariatric surgery, you have the chance to hit the reset button and start a new phase in your life.    

If you’re a little older and struggling with your weight, weight loss surgery can help you feel younger and even extend your life. The aforementioned health benefits of weight loss surgery can add years to your life, but bariatric surgery also works at the genetic level. A Stanford study found that morbidly obese women over the age of 49 who underwent weight loss surgery had two to three percent longer telomeres, the chromosome caps that shorten as we age. That’s more than enough to brighten your eyes and put some extra glow in your skin. Combine that with bariatric surgery’s other benefits, like increased flexibility and mobility, and you’ll wonder why you waited so long.  

If you’re struggling with obesity, it’s never too late to consider having weight loss surgery. For more information about your treatment options, contact the bariatric surgery experts at Long Island Laparoscopic Doctors. Get started on your journey to the new you today!