What Are the Health Benefits of Weight-Loss Surgery?
There are many reasons someone may consider weight-loss surgery, with weight loss being one of the main ones. However, there are many other health risks that derive from this type of procedure.
While weight-loss surgery is not a quick fix or a magic solution to any-and-all health problems, it can have a significant impact on several aspects of your life including your sleep, hormone regulation, mobility and more.
What Is Weight-Loss Surgery?
Weight-loss surgery, also known as bariatric surgery, is a surgical procedure that helps people lose weight by making changes to their digestive system. These procedures work by limiting the amount of food the stomach can hold, reducing the absorption of nutrients or a combination of both.
The goal of weight-loss surgery is to promote weight loss, improve overall health or, more specifically, improve obesity-related conditions. Different types of weight-loss surgery include: laparoscopic gastric bypass, laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy and gastric banding.
Each type uses different methods to help achieve weight loss and have proven to be highly effective in doing so.
Health Benefits of Weight-Loss Surgery
As with any surgical procedure, there are certain health risks and benefits to opting for weight-loss surgery. These include:
Significant weight loss
The most obvious health benefit of weight-loss surgery is, of course, weight loss. Depending on the type of surgery and individual factors, patients can expect to lose anywhere from 50-70% of their excess body weight within the first year after surgery. This body transformation may also continue well after the surgery, as patients may continue to lose weight in the following two years.
Weight improvements, as we will see, can also have a positive impact on overall health and can help reduce the risk of obesity-related health conditions.
Improved type 2 diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It is characterized by high blood sugar levels and can lead to serious health complications if left unmanaged and untreated.
Bariatric surgery patients frequently have type 2 diabetes. Indeed, more than 90% of people suffering from type 2 diabetes also struggle with being overweight or even obese. The reason behind this is that the higher the surplus weight someone carries, the more their body resists their own insulin hormone.
Weight-loss surgery has been shown to improve or even reverse type 2 diabetes in many patients. This is because the surgery can help regulate blood sugar levels and improve insulin sensitivity.
Lower blood pressure
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a common health condition that can increase the risk of health conditions such as chest pain (angina), heart disease, stroke and more. With over one billion people worldwide affected by it, some of the most common risk factors for hypertension is obesity.
Weight-loss surgery has been shown to significantly reduce blood pressure in patients, leading to decreased risks of heart disease and other related health conditions. Weight loss can help reduce the strain put on the heart and blood vessels and lead to a normalization of blood pressure levels.
Improved sleep apnea
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by pauses in breathing or shallow breathing during sleep. It is often associated with obesity and can lead to daytime fatigue, high blood pressure and other health issues.
Sleep apnea is common among people who are overweight. This is because obesity can reduce lung airway size and capacity or even make the throat more likely to collapse while sleeping.
Fortunately, weight-loss surgery has been shown to improve or even resolve sleep apnea in many patients. Just as increased weight blocks the lungs, losing weight can reduce the amount of tissue in the throat and improve breathing.
Reduced risk of heart disease
Heart disease is the leading cause of death globally. People who are overweight, however, have an increased likelihood of developing heart disease because of the excessive strain their excess weight puts on their heart and blood vessels.
Obesity can lead to the development of health conditions that contribute to heart disease, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels and diabetes.
Weight-loss surgery can help reduce the risk of heart disease by promoting weight loss and improving overall health. In addition, weight-loss surgery has been shown to improve cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease in patients. Overall, this lowers their chances of experiencing cardiovascular complications.
Improved joint pain
Joint pain is a common issue among people who are overweight. Excess weight can exert a significant amount of strain on the joints, which can be painful and uncomfortable. This is especially true for weight-bearing joints such as the knees and hips.
Obesity, furthermore, is a common risk factor for conditions such as osteoarthritis, as the excess weight can contribute to degeneration of cartilage and increase joint inflammation.
Weight-loss surgery can play a crucial role in reducing joint pain by promoting weight loss and reducing the strain on the joints. Patients may notice the difference in joint pain, mobility and quality of life before and after weight-loss surgery.
Reduced risk of cancer
Unfortunately, obesity is also linked to an increased risk of certain types of cancer, such as breast cancer, colon cancer and pancreatic cancer. This is because the excess body weight may lead to inflammation and hormonal changes that promote the development of cancer cells.
Weight-loss surgery, therefore, can benefit patients by helping to reduce this risk. Furthermore, bariatric surgery may improve insulin sensitivity, which can also reduce the risk of certain types of cancer.
Reshape Your Tomorrow
If you’ve struggled with other weight-loss methods, change is possible with the right treatment and an experienced team by your side.
Surgical Weight Control Center in Las Vegas offers effective, noninvasive surgical weight treatment options. We provide you with long-term management to help you reshape your tomorrow, take control of your lifestyle and regain your health.
To learn more about your options, reach out to us at 702-313-8446, sign up for one of our seminars, or get in contact with us today.
Individual results may vary. There are risks associated with any surgical procedure. Talk with your doctor about these risks to find out if bariatric surgery is right for you.