What are the benefits of weight loss surgery?
Most people who undergo bariatric surgery lose a significant amount of weight. After they lose the weight, they are also more likely to keep it off, provided they continue to observe the amount of food they eat.
Serious health concerns related to obesity often improve or disappear following surgery and weight loss. Some of these health concerns include:
- Heart disease
- Type 2 diabetes
- Arthritis
- Some forms of cancer
- Hypertension
- Stroke
- Sleep apnea
- Asthma
Obesity is also associated with pregnancy complications and menstrual problems, and it often leads to psychological and behavioral conditions such as depression.
Quality of life also improves for many people after weight loss surgery, as they experience improvement in their physical, behavioral and social well-being.
What types of weight loss surgeries are currently available?
There are several types of bariatric surgery, which fall into two categories:
- Restrictive procedures: These surgeries significantly reduce the size of the stomach, making you feel satisfied after eating less food, and you stay full longer.
- Restrictive/malabsorptive procedures: These surgeries reduce the size of the stomach and shorten the small intestine, which are permanent changes to your anatomy. The smaller stomach also makes you feel satisfied and full after eating less food. In addition, the changes to the intestine reduce the amount of calories the body can absorb.
