Benefits of Bariatric Surgery

Obesity can be very difficult to treat. When other medically supervised methods (weight watchers, Jenny Craig, traditional diet and exercise) have failed, bariatric surgery is a proven option for long term weight control for those with clinically severe obesity.

Bariatric surgery is currently one of the best treatment options for severe obesity. As quoted by the National Institute of Health,

“Weight loss surgery for the morbidly obese, when combined with behavior modification, is currently the most reliable and only choice for long term maintenance of excess weight loss.”

The medical and emotional benefits of weight-loss procedures begin almost immediately after surgery and follow over time.  These include:

• Significant sustained weight loss:
  • Most patients lose weight rapidly and continue to do so 18-24 months after surgery
  • Although some patients may regain some of their weight after 24 months, few regain it all
    • Diet and Exercise will still remain an important part of your success after surgery.

• Improvement or elimination of most obesity-related conditions:
  • High cholesterol
  • High blood pressure / Hypertension
  • Sleep apnea (breathing disturbances during sleep)
  • Type 2 diabetes
  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Dyslipidemia

Sources: Gastrointestinal surgery for severe obesity. National Institutes of Health Consensus Development Conference Statement. March 25-27, 1991: 1-20.

Sjöström L, Lindroos AK, Peltonen M, et al. Lifestyle, diabetes and cardiovascular risk factors 10 years after bariatric surgery. N Engl J Med. 2004;351(26):2683-2693.

Elder KA, Wolfe BM. Bariatric surgery: a review of procedures and outcomes. Gastroenterology. 2007;132(6):2253-2271.