Weight loss surgery, also known as bariatric surgery, is usually recommended in the case of those people who have a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher or for those with a BMI of 35 or higher and one or more obesity-related health conditions such as type 2 diabetes or sleep apnea.
However, not everyone who qualifies for weight loss surgery will be a good candidate. The decision to have weight loss surgery is a personal one, and it depends on the patient’s overall health, their commitment to lifestyle changes, and the type of weight loss surgery they are considering.
Fewer chances of death because of cancer, heart disease, and diabetes
A new study reveals that individuals with severe obesity who underwent bariatric surgery had a reduced risk of death from diabetes, heart disease, and cancer but an increased risk of suicide compared to those who did not have the surgery.
The study, published in the journal Obesity, followed up with patients for up to 40 years post-surgery and found that those who had weight loss surgery had their risk of premature death from any cause decreased by 16% compared to individuals with severe obesity who did not have the surgery.
Dr. Adams explained as Everyday Health quotes:
Additionally, the patients who had bariatric surgery had 29 percent, 43 percent, and 72 percent lower death rate from cardiovascular disease, cancer, and diabetes, respectively, when compared to the matched subjects who had not had bariatric surgery.
It seems that bariatric surgery can have some unexpected effects after all. Here’s what Dr. Portenier had to say, as cited by the same publication:
We also eventually discovered that this surgery is just not shrinking the size of the stomach or how much food is absorbed. It’s also changing some of the hormones in the GI tract and this affects more things than weight, things like diabetes and metabolic syndrome.
The cost of bariatric surgery can vary depending on a number of factors, such as the type of procedure, the location of the surgery, and the patient’s insurance coverage.
In the United States, the average cost of bariatric surgery ranges from $15,000 to $35,000 for gastric bypass surgery and from $17,000 to $27,000 for sleeve gastrectomy. These costs can be higher or lower depending on the location and the facility where the surgery is performed.
