In a few words, the surgery improves the general health of the patient, allowing him to have a more active and healthier life. It also improves the patient’s psychological health and betters his self-esteem and social interactions. When everything else has failed to deliver a sustained weight loss, obesity surgery is the standard of care. According to the ASMBS, evidence shows that obesity surgery is the most effective method to date to deliver significant long-term weight loss, treat metabolic diseases and reduce associated co-morbidities.
BENEFITS
Sustained weight loss
Typically, with a gastric band you can lose about 40-50% of the overweight, with a gastric sleeve approximately 70% and with a gastric bypass an 80% of excess weight. Studies show that approximately 80% of patients are able to maintain around 50% excess body weight loss. It is worth mentioning that results depend largely on the follow-up and discipline of each patient to follow postoperative instructions.
Type 2 diabetes
There is no doubt that surgery can significantly improve diabetes in around 85% of patients and cause remission in more than 70%. This condition will improve with any bariatric procedure, but the gastric bypass is the advised metabolic surgery that can lead to total control (not require medication anymore) in as much as 80% of cases and significant improvement in more than 90% of cases.
Hypertension
The improvement index of hypertension is about 70-80%, where around 60% resolve this condition entirely.
Cholesterol and triglycerides levels
Hyperlipidemia significantly improves and cholesterol levels lower/normalize in about 75% of cases with gastric sleeve and gastric bypass procedures.
Sleep disorders and sleep apnea
A remarkable improvement is seen in these types of sleep disorders, up to 90% of patients resolve or improve sleep apnea within the first 44 lbs (20kg) of weight loss. The patient stops snoring and starts having a truly restful sleep.
Asthma and pulmonary conditions
Around 80% of asthma cases are improved or resolved in patients and other pulmonary conditions such as breathing inability, extreme fatigue when engaging in physical activity, among others are remarkably improved as well.
Problems with the spine, hips and joints
The first thing that the orthopedist will indicate is to loose weight to improve these problem areas. Degenerative Joint Disease is improved and/ or resolved in about 40-70% of cases and pain relief in the weight-bearing joints is experienced early after surgery.
Hormonal problems and reproductive health
If your gynecologist diagnosed overweight as the cause of their gynecological problems, bariatric surgery has excellent results (75%-100%) in correcting menstrual and hormonal dysfunction and polycystic ovarian syndrome once the excess weight is lost. Also, surgery will surely help to boost sex drive and performance since libido levels are improved with the weight loss.
Gastro esophageal reflux disease (GERD)
Around 70%-95% of patients present relief of all symptoms of reflux within the first week of surgery.
Anxiety, depression and psychological disorders
Psychological disorders related to obesity are not extensively covered either by patients or by doctors but they are real and there is no doubt bariatric surgery brings a great improvement to the patient’s mental and emotional health. Depression is resolved in around 55% of patients.
Please refer to the ASMBS Fact Sheet to learn more about benefits.