The Benefits of Bariatric Surgery

Written By Guest User

If you are considering bariatric surgery, you have likely been struggling with your weight for some time and may be wondering if the benefits of surgery outweigh the risks. While there are risks associated with any major surgery, the truth is that the long-term health and wellness benefits of bariatric surgery are not only overwhelmingly positive but life-saving and life-enhancing. 

When obesity is left unaddressed, the health consequences that arise are more dangerous than undergoing surgery. Bariatric surgery does not just treat the disease of obesity; it also treats other conditions like diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, mental health, and obstructive sleep apnea. It can also reduce the risk of death from multiple types of cancer. While most people initially investigate bariatric surgery for weight loss, they soon discover its remarkable effects on health and why it is often referred to as “metabolic surgery” rather than weight loss surgery.

Improved mental health 

In addition to physical challenges, there is a complex interrelationship between obesity and mental health, each posing treatment barriers to the other. People living with obesity often struggle with depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders. One study found that adults with excess weight had a 55% higher risk of developing depression over their lifetime compared to people who did not struggle with obesity.1 Obesity can also negatively affect self-esteem, activity level, and social connectedness. This is further complicated by the existence of weight stigma and discrimination. While bariatric surgery can lead to improved physical health, it can also lead to improved mental health. It is encouraging to see that the majority of mental health improvements after bariatric surgery are likely attributed to weight loss and resultant gains in body image, self-esteem, and self-concept. Other important factors contributing to improved mental health after bariatric surgery include a patient’s sense of taking control of their life and support from health care staff. 2

Long-term remission for type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes and obesity are increasingly common and major global health problems. Studies have documented that more than 80% of Type 2 diabetics are obese.3 Obesity itself triggers insulin resistance and thereby poses the risk of increased mortality proportionate to the severity of obesity. The risk of diabetes rises almost 100 times when comparing people with a BMI under 20 to those with a BMI over 40. One study reported that bariatric surgery can result in long-term remission of type 2 diabetes.4 The results of this study show that the procedure is highly effective for those with obesity and type 2 diabetes, allowing almost all patients to remain free of insulin and other related medications for at least three years after surgery.

Improved cardiovascular health

People with obesity often have multiple cardiovascular comorbidities. This is because obesity is an established risk factor for various cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), including heart failure, coronary artery disease, hypertension (high blood pressure), dysrhythmia, and venous thromboembolism. Bariatric surgery is known to be the most effective in achieving substantial long-term weight loss, which can prevent the development of CVD risk factors such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, myocardial infarction, and stroke.5 One study revealed that bariatric surgery can improve the control of CVD risk factors with a remission rate of 63% in hypertension and 65% in hyperlipidemia.6 Regarding the long-term effectiveness of bariatric surgery on mortality, a retrospective study has also shown that bariatric surgery may decrease mortality due to CAD by 56%.5 

Eliminated obstructive sleep apnea

Several studies have consistently found an association between increased body weight and the risk of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).8 OSA is a sleep disorder characterized by repeated obstruction to the airway during sleep. This occurs when the muscles that support the soft tissues in the throat relax, and the airway becomes narrowed or closed. Breathing is disrupted for over 10 seconds, at least five times per hour (on average). People who are obese tend to have thicker tissue around the throat which may make them more prone to sleep apnea. Bariatric surgery is one of the most effective treatments for OSA, causing remission in 80-85% of cases.9  After surgery, patients typically notice a significant improvement in their quality of sleep with less snoring and less daytime sleepiness. They can often be weaned off their continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines. 

Reduced risk of cancer

The link between obesity and cancer risk is clear. Research has shown that excess body fat can increase the risk for several cancers, including uterine, gallbladder, kidney, cervix, thyroid, leukemia, liver, colon, ovarian, pancreatic, and some breast cancers. This is largely due to the long-lasting inflammation caused by visceral fat and higher than normal levels of insulin, insulin-like growth factor, and sex hormones like estrogen. Among adults with obesity, bariatric surgery, compared with no surgery, was associated with a significantly lower incidence of obesity-associated cancers and cancer-related mortality.10  In one study, the incidence of all cancers decreased by 30% for patients in the ten years following weight loss surgery. This was a reduction of 50% in cancers known to be associated with obesity. Further analysis has shown that weight loss has a dose-dependent relationship to cancer risk—the more weight lost, the lower the cancer risk.11 

Bariatric surgery is a life-changing procedure that can significantly improve one’s health and quality of life. Bariatric surgery is now in its golden age with refined procedures, specialty programs, modern technologies, excellent safety profiles, and well understood risks and benefits. This life-changing procedure has significantly improved the health and quality of life of many Albertans suffering from obesity and obesity-related health issues. 

Vital Bariatrics is a team of surgeons, nurses, dieticians, and psychologists with specific interest and expertise in managing obesity. We are committed to providing patients with the most current, scientific, and evidence-based recommendations tailored to their specific circumstances and interests. Our team can help you start living a happier, healthier life—in months, not years. If you are wondering if bariatric surgery is right for you, we have the answers. Contact us today; we’re here to build a plan that works for you. 

Sources: 

  1. Floriana S. Luppino, MD; Leonore M. de Wit, MS; Paul F. Bouvy, MD, PhD; et al. Overweigh Overweight, Obesity, and Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Longitudinal Studies. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2010;67(3):220-229.

  2. Kubik JF, Gill RS, Laffin M, Karmali S. The impact of bariatric surgery on psychological health. J Obes. 2013;2013:837989. doi: 10.1155/2013/837989. Epub 2013 Mar 28. PMID: 23606952; PMCID: PMC3625597.

  3. Mugharbel, K. M., & Al-Mansouri, M. A. (2003). PREVALENCE OF OBESITY AMONG TYPE 2 DIABETIC PATIENTS IN AL-KHOBAR PRIMARY HEALTH CARE CENTERS. Journal of Family & Community Medicine, 10(2), 49-53. 

  4. Chen Y, Corsino L, Shantavasinkul PC, Grant J, Portenier D, Ding L, Torquati A. Gastric Bypass Surgery Leads to Long-term Remission or Improvement of Type 2 Diabetes and Significant Decrease of Microvascular and Macrovascular Complications. Ann Surg. 2016 Jun;263(6):1138-42. doi: 10.1097/SLA.0000000000001509. PMID: 26599565.

  5. Kuno, T., Tanimoto, E., Morita, S., & Shimada, Y. J. (2018). Effects of Bariatric Surgery on Cardiovascular Disease: A Concise Update of Recent Advances. Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine, 6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6635807/ 

  6. Vest AR, Heneghan HM, Schauer PR, Young JB. Surgical management of obesity and the relationship to cardiovascular disease. Circulation. (2013) 127:945–59. 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.112.103275

  7. Sjöström L, Peltonen M, Jacobson P, Sjöström CD, Karason K, Wedel H, Ahlin S, Anveden Å, Bengtsson C, Bergmark G, Bouchard C, Carlsson B, Dahlgren S, Karlsson J, Lindroos AK, Lönroth H, Narbro K, Näslund I, Olbers T, Svensson PA, Carlsson LM. Bariatric surgery and long-term cardiovascular events. JAMA. 2012 Jan 4;307(1):56-65. doi: 10.1001/jama.2011.1914. PMID: 22215166.

  8. Peppard PE, Young T, Palta M, Dempsey J, Skatrud J. Longitudinal study of moderate weight change and sleep-disordered breathing. JAMA. 2000; 284: 3015–3021

  9. Bariatric and Metabolic Institute Bariatric Surgery for Treating Sleep Apnea A minimally invasive approach. (n.d.). https://my.clevelandclinic.org/-/scassets/files/org/bariatric/guides/sleep-apnea-brochure.ashx?la=en

  10. Aminian, A., Wilson, R., Al-Kurd, A., Tu, C., Milinovich, A., Kroh, M., Rosenthal, R. J., Brethauer, S. A., Schauer, P. R., Kattan, M. W., Brown, J. C., Berger, N. A., Abraham, J., & Nissen, S. E. (2022). Association of Bariatric Surgery With Cancer Risk and Mortality in Adults With Obesity. JAMA. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2022.9009

  11. Weight-Loss Surgery May Greatly Lower Odds for Many Cancers. (n.d.). WebMD. Retrieved December 1, 2022, from https://www.webmd.com/cancer/news/20220608/weight-loss-surgery-may-greatly-lower-odds-for-many-cancers

Guest User
Previous

The Link Between Quitting Smoking and Successful Bariatric Surgery
Next

7 Reasons Why You Can’t Lose Weight