Advantages of Bariatric Surgery:

Bariatric surgery is the only proven long-term weight loss option for those suffering from the disease of obesity. As a result, the many advantages of surgery are compelling for those who have an acceptable surgical risk.

• Bariatric surgery patients will often lose a significant amount¹ of their excess body weight.
• Weight loss results are best for patients who follow their post operative plan and who have not experienced any significant complications from the surgery. Many obesity related diseases such as type-2 diabetes, high cholesterol, sleep apnea and high blood pressure are improved or resolved after bariatric surgery.¹
• Patients may regain their mobility, allowing them to walk further, tie their shoes with ease and perform daily activities they may never have been able to before their procedure.^{2, 1}
• Joint pain may be reduced as the strain placed on the body is reduced. Osteoarthritis progression may be improved or resolved.²
• Social and career opportunities may arise as a result of the increased self-confidence that most bariatric surgery patients develop as they lose weight. Most patients who undergo bariatric surgery may find their social and career opportunities increase.¹
• Patients may regain fertility as their hormonal imbalances and obesity-caused polycystic ovarian syndrome improve or subside.³
• For patients whose procedures are performed laparoscopically, their recovery time may be shortened, pain may be reduced, and the risk of infection or bleeding may be much reduced.

It is important to note that a large degree of weight loss and disease resolution success comes in the form of a patient’s willingness and ability to change their life. While surgery is an excellent weight loss tool, it is only the beginning to the journey that the patient must follow to optimal health, the journey of lifestyle modification and the lifelong fight against obesity.

Weight loss surgery is a major procedure and comes with the possibility of significant risk. Patients will be evaluated prior to surgical intervention to ensure the risks of obesity outweigh the risks associated with surgical intervention. Learn more about the possible risks of bariatric surgery on this website, or attend one or more free seminars held by bariatric surgeons.

References:
¹ Buchwald H, Avidor Y, Braunwald E, et al. Bariatric surgery. A systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA. 2004;292:1724-1737.

² Schauer P, Ikramuddin S, Gourash W, et al. Outcomes after laparoscopic roux-en-Y gastric bypass for morbid obesity. Ann Surg. 2000;232(4):515-529.

³ Eid GM, Cottam DR, Velcu LM, et al. Effective treatment of polycystic ovarian syndrome with roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Surg Obes Related Dis. 2005;2:77-80.