Benefits of Bariatric Surgery

Bariatric surgery continues to benefit people struggling with morbid obesity worldwide. Most importantly, bariatric surgery saves lives. Recent studies show that bariatric surgery patients are living 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. 

Although there are benefits, this surgery is not without risks. It’s important to consider each risk in making your decision.

Reduction in Mortality (Extended Life Expectancy)
Reduced life span due to obesity is important to consider. Compared to a person of normal weight, a 25-year-old obese man has a reduced life span, and he can expect a loss of about 12 years of life.³ Bariatric surgery has been shown to improve life span by reducing excess body weight. In a recent study, bariatric surgery reduced overall morbidity and the development of new health-related conditions in morbidly obese patients. Bariatric surgery reduced the relative risk of death by 89 percent with an absolute mortality reduction of 5.49 percent.²

Resolution of Obesity-Related Health Conditions
Bariatric surgery has been shown to impact obesity-related health conditions. Recent studies have indicated:

• Through gastric bypass surgery, patients have shown more than 83 percent resolution in type 2 diabetes.³
• Patients experienced up to 88 percent resolution in obstructive sleep apnea, while another group noted 75 percent resolution in hypertension.³
• More than 70 percent of patients saw an improvement in their hyperlipidemia.³

Obesity-related health conditions that may be improved or resolved with bariatric surgery include: ^2,3,18

• Type 2 diabetes
• High blood pressure/heart disease
• Dyslipidemia (lipid metabolism abnormalities)
• Osteoarthritis of weight-bearing joints
• Depression
• Sleep apnea/respiratory problems
• Gastroesophageal reflux/heartburn
• Infertility
• Urinary stress incontinence
• Menstrual irregularities
• Asthma
• Skin breakdown
• Swollen legs/skin ulcers
• Extremity venous stasis

Long-Term Weight Loss
Bariatric surgery is an effective weight loss treatment. A recent study established the following criterion for successful bariatric surgery: the ability to achieve and maintain loss of at least 50 percent of excess body weight without significantly undesirable effects.¹⁹ Typical results for bariatric surgery meet this success criterion. The majority of people who have bariatric surgery are able to keep off at least half of their excess body weight long term.⁷

The amount of weight a patient will lose after the procedure depends upon several factors. These include:

• Patient’s age
• Weight before surgery
• Overall condition of the patient’s health
• Surgical procedure
• Ability to exercise
• Commitment to maintaining dietary guidelines and other follow-up care
• Motivation of patient and help from family, friends, and associates

Surgical treatment, although not without risk, is the most effective long-term treatment for extreme obesity and is likely to be used more widely given that the number of Americans with a BMI > 40 has nearly tripled in the last decade.²⁰ In 2004, approximately 140,600 bariatric surgeries were performed in order to treat morbid obesity.²⁰ An estimated 173,000 people will have bariatric surgery in 2005.²⁰

Lifestyle Opportunities
Bariatric surgery, by reducing excess body weight and improving overall health, can improve patients’ lives in many personal ways. Some benefits are common among patients; others are unique to each individual patient.

Here are some of the surgery benefits patients have described: 

• Improved job or career prospects
• Reduced shortness of breath
• Increased energy level
• Regularly get a good night of sleep
• Greater confidence
• Improved dating life
• Greater variety in choice of clothes
• Exercise is more rewarding

Here are a few activities and changed behaviors patients have enjoyed:

• I put on a bathing suit for the first time in 22 years.
• It’s more enjoyable to be outdoors.
• I walk farther than I used to.
• Now I ride my bike, walk, and go hunting and fishing.
• I’m able to ride roller coasters with my daughter.
• It’s easier to play and be active with the family.
• Traveling is more enjoyable.

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References

2 Christou NV, Sampalis JS, Liberman M, et al. Surgery Decreases Long-term Mortality, Morbidity, and Health Care Use in Morbidly Obese Patients. Ann Surg 2004;240(3):416-424.

3 Buchwald H, Avidor Y, Braunwald E, et al. Bariatric Surgery. A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. JAMA 2004;292(14):1724-37.

7 Presutti R, Gorma R, Swain J. Concise Review for Clinicians. Primary Care Perspective on Bariatric Surgery. Mayo Clin Proc 2004 Sept;79(9):1158-1166.

8 Wittgrove AC, Clark GW. Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass, Roux-En-Y 500 Patients: Technique and Results, with 3-60 Month Follow-up. Obes Surg 2000 Jun;10(3):233-39.

18 Fitch K, Pyenson B, Abbs S, et al. Research Report: Obesity: A Big Problem Getting Bigger. 2004 Mar.

19 Balsiger BM, Kennedy FP, abu-Lebdeh HS, et al. Prospective Evaluation of Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass as Primary Operation for Medically Complicated Obesity. Mayo Clinic Proc 2000 Jul;75(7):673-80.

20 Foster G, Wadden T, Makris A, et al. Primary Care Physicians’ Attitudes about Obesity and Its Treatment. Obes Res 2003;11(10):1168-1177.

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