Most importantly, bariatric surgery saves lives.
Recent studies show that bariatric surgery patients live longer lives than morbidly obese individuals. You also can see the benefits of bariatric surgery when you look back on how individual lives have improved.
Reduction In Mortality (Extended Life Expectancy)
Reduced lifespan due to obesity is essential to consider. For example, compared to a person of average weight, a 25-year-old obese man has a reduced life span and can expect a loss of about 12 years.
Bariatric surgery has been shown to improve lifespan by reducing excess body weight. In a recent study, bariatric surgery reduced overall mortality and the development of new health-related conditions in morbidly obese patients.
Resolution Of Obesity-Related Health Conditions
Obesity-related health conditions that may be improved or resolved with bariatric surgery include:
- Type 2 diabetes
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Osteoarthritis of weight-bearing joints
- Depression
- Sleep apnea/respiratory problems
- Gastroesophageal reflux/heartburn
- Infertility
- Urinary stress incontinence
- Menstrual irregularities
- Asthma
- Skin breakdown
- Extremity venous stasis
- Long-term weight loss
Bariatric surgery is the most effective long-term weight-loss treatment.
The amount of weight a patient will lose after the procedure depends upon several factors. These include age, preoperative weight, motivation, exercise, and compliance with follow-up.
LIFESTYLE OPPORTUNITIES
Bariatric surgery reduces excess body weight and, improving overall health, can improve patients’ lives in many personal ways. Some benefits are expected among patients; others are unique to each patient.
Here are some of the surgery benefits patients have described:
- Improvement of medical conditions
- Improved job or career prospects
- Reduced shortness of breath
- Increased energy level
- Regularly getting a good night of sleep
- Greater confidence
- Improved dating life
- Greater variety in choice of clothes
- Exercise is more rewarding