The Benefits of Bariatric Surgery
Losing weight and keeping it off can be a life-long struggle for some. In certain cases, people are unable to lose the weight necessary to be healthy. If you are struggling, talk to your primary care provider about whether you might be a candidate for surgical weight loss programs.
Weight loss surgery or bariatric surgery can produce sustainable weight loss because it reduces how much a person can eat. Some procedures limit the body’s ability to absorb calories.
Learn more about the physical and mental health benefits of bariatric surgery.
TYPES OF BARIATRIC SURGERIES
Beebe offers laparoscopic or minimally invasive weight-loss surgery procedures, including sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass.
- Gastric bypass surgery: Reduces the size of the stomach and reroutes the intestines to change the digestive track. Gastric bypass assists with weight loss by limiting food intake and reducing calories that are absorbed after eating.
- Sleeve gastrectomy or gastric sleeve surgery: Reduces the size of the stomach by 80%. In addition to limiting the amount of food you are able to eat, the sleeve also offers excellent appetite suppression. This procedure does not require any implanted devices.
BENEFITS OF MINIMALLY INVASIVE WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY
Both types of minimally invasive weight loss surgery reduce the amount of food that a person is able to eat, aiding in their weight loss.
There are other benefits to these types of procedures because they are performed laparoscopically.
- Smaller incisions: All of the procedures done for medical weight loss at Beebe use small half-inch incisions, which means less pain and a faster recovery for our patients.
- Lower risk of complications: Smaller incisions reduce risk of infection and other surgical complications.
- Shorter hospital stay: Most patients go home after about one night in the hospital. They recover at home and report feeling mostly recovered after one week.
Other Benefits of Surgery
Around 90% of patients after bariatric surgery lose 50% of excess body weight and keep this extra weight off long-term. In addition to long-term weight loss, there are other benefits of bariatric surgery.
Obesity correlates with other health conditions, such as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Surgery can help with weight loss and other obesity-related conditions:
- Sleep apnea
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Joint pain
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Gallbladder disease
- Urinary incontinence
- Type 2 diabetes
- Infertility
Surgery doesn’t just improve physical health. Those who struggle with obesity may experience depression due to poor body image. If one is not able to participate in activities they enjoy due to physical limitations, this can have a profound effect on mood.
Losing weight after surgery can help individuals feel more energetic and can even provide relief from depression. Bariatric surgery can have a profound impact on mental and physical health, improving quality of life for patients.
Do I Qualify for Weight Loss Surgery?
Adults who have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 or higher are candidates for weight loss surgery. Those with a BMI of 35 or higher who also have additional health concerns such as diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, or heart disease, are also candidates for weight loss surgery.
Our bariatric surgery team can talk to you about all of the options available, and which might be best for you.
A Commitment to Your New Lifestyle
Bariatric surgery is a commitment to a new lifestyle. It is not the easy way out. Patients interested in bariatric surgery are committing to a new and healthier lifestyle. Each patient must complete a pre-surgery program, which includes diet, exercise, and regular office visits. Counseling sessions are also often recommended as our weight can play a big role in how we see ourselves and how we engage with the world around us.
Patients who have completed the pre-surgery program are extremely ready to be successful following surgery.
If you are ready to take the next step, talk to your physician about whether you may be a candidate for bariatric surgery. Contact Beebe's medical weight loss team for more information or to request an appointment. Our physicians and staff are here to partner with you in your weight loss journey.
