8 Benefits of Bariatric Surgery Besides Weight Loss

When it comes to the benefits of bariatric surgery, there’s more than meets the eye! We asked Dr. Yong Choi and Dr. James Dickerson, bariatric surgeons at the Weight Loss & Metabolic Institute at The Woodlands Hospital, to share the most common benefits their patients experience after a weight loss procedure. Here's what they had to say: 

1. Bariatric surgery can resolve type 2 diabetes. 
2. Weight loss surgery can improve your heart health.
3. Bariatric procedures can reduce joint pain. 
4. Weight loss procedures can often lead to a boost in self-esteem. 
5. Bariatric surgery success can reduce your risk of cancer. 
6. Losing excess weight can reduce the severity of COVID-19. 
7. Weight loss surgery can alleviate a variety of medical conditions. 
8. Bariatric surgery has been shown to improve quality of life. 

Keep reading to learn about the facts behind each benefit. 

1. Bariatric surgery can resolve type 2 diabetes.

With bariatric surgery and successful weight loss, patients typically experience significant improvement in blood glucose control. Often, many patients are able to reduce or even completely stop medications for diabetes after surgery. Complete resolution of diabetes occurs in 75-95% of patients.

2. Weight loss surgery can improve your heart health.

After losing excess weight, the patient’s cardiovascular health and blood pressure will often improve. They may even be able to reduce the number of blood pressure medications or stop them completely. About 65-80% of patients have complete resolution of hypertension after surgery. Along with proper diet and exercise, stress on the heart is greatly reduced.

3. Bariatric procedures can reduce joint pain.

Joint pain can occur due to the excess amount of weight a patient carries on a regular basis. This limits their daily activity and the ability to exercise. Losing weight decreases the stress on joints, allowing patients to increase their physical activity and improve their overall health.

4. Weight loss procedures often lead to a boost in self-esteem.

Unfortunately, there is evidence that obese employees face discrimination at work and have fewer opportunities to advance. With weight loss, patients often gain confidence, an increase in self-esteem, and improvement in their quality of life.

5. Bariatric surgery success can reduce your risk of cancer.

Overall, bariatric surgery has been shown to decrease a patient’s cancer risk by a third. Evidence shows significant decreases in the risk of individual cancers as well, including breast, colorectal, kidney, ovarian, liver, and uterine cancers.

6. Losing excess weight can reduce the severity of COVID-19.

Obesity is a major risk factor for COVID-19 complications. Published reports demonstrate an increase in the severity of COVID-related symptoms among clinically obese patients.

7. Weight loss surgery can alleviate a variety of medical conditions.

Bariatric surgery can help various medical issues, including infertility, sleep apnea, hyperlipidemia, fatty liver, degenerative disc disease, heartburn, and migraines.

8. Bariatric surgery has been shown to improve quality of life.

In addition to all the medical benefits garnered from bariatric surgery, improvement in the quality of life cannot be overstated. Patients often feel like they have gotten their life back after surgery. Not only that, but bariatric surgery decreases their mortality rate.

Bariatric surgery is known as the most effective yet underused tool for treating severe obesity. Approximately 24 million Americans are eligible, but less than 1% of them take advantage of it. Watch our online Weight Loss Seminar to discover lasting benefits.