Many people who are obese find that dieting alone doesn’t bring the results they want. Some might lose weight initially but then gain it back. This can be frustrating, especially when diet and exercise aren’t enough to reach the desired weight and improve overall health. For those struggling, bariatric surgery can be a promising solution.
Bariatric weight loss surgery is highly effective for individuals who are severely overweight and need help achieving their goals. It not only aids in weight loss but also improves health and quality of life by promoting healthy weight reduction.
Often, people turn to bariatric surgery after years of unsuccessful dieting attempts, finding it hard to lose weight or maintain their weight loss. These individuals don’t fit the “overweight and lazy” stereotype; they are committed individuals up against bodily and metabolic challenges. For someone who has dealt with obesity for a long time, the journey to weight loss can be far tougher than it seems. It’s more than just eating healthy and exercising; their bodies have adapted in ways that sometimes resist weight loss. The body might, for instance, slow down its metabolic rate, making it difficult to shed pounds.
Weight loss surgery proves to be a powerful tool for severely obese patients, not just for shedding weight initially but for keeping it off. Bariatric surgery alters the gastrointestinal tract, impacting the stomach and digestive system, and causes physiological changes that support metabolism and energy balance. By altering the stomach size or intestines’ path, the surgery also affects hormone production related to appetite and hunger. Reduced hormone levels, such as Ghrelin, lead to decreased hunger and increased feelings of fullness.
Since this surgery impacts more than just weight numbers, it helps patients maintain long-term weight loss. Studies show that about 90% of bariatric surgery patients keep at least 50% of the excess weight off. This is largely due to the body’s natural hormonal changes post-surgery, which boost energy use and stabilize metabolism.
Surgical weight loss can also bring significant health benefits, improving or even curing conditions aggravated by obesity. Bariatric surgery can enhance conditions such as high blood pressure, respiratory problems, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, acid reflux, arthritis, fatty liver disease, and more. Many patients with Type 2 Diabetes experience improvements or remission. Post-surgery, patients frequently report less pain and better mobility. It also has positive effects on mental health, reducing depression, anxiety, and social difficulties.
Overall, surgical weight loss is an essential, effective option for many eligible patients. When done by a skilled surgeon, bariatric surgery provides a safe path to losing weight and leading a healthier life.