What are the Benefits of Bariatric Surgery?

Whilst there are medical treatments/weight reduction programmes widely available such as diets and weight loss drugs, there is plenty of evidence to establish that these rarely produce sustained major weight loss (in up to 95% of people, weight can be regained after 2 years). Most adults in the United States diet at some time, sometimes trying diet pills and a range of diets, and trends in the UK are similar. Long term success rates tend to be poor, with 50% of weight loss being regained within one year.

Bariatric surgery (also known as obesity surgery) has been shown to be an effective form of weight loss, with current studies demonstrating very positive results. Bariatric surgery has been performed since the 1960’s, with the Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (‘stomach stapling’) being pioneered in the late 1970’s and the Gastric band (‘Lapband’) emerging in the 1980’s. Laparoscopic techniques have been widely utilised in the last 10 years.

Bariatric surgery for people with morbid obesity is associated with significant weight loss that is maintained for at least 8 years, whereas there is little sustained weight loss with conventional treatment in this group of patients. Surgery is also associated with improved quality of life and reduced co-morbidities (illnesses associated with being overweight). There are of course rare but significant risks attached to surgery, although these are thought to be outweighed by the benefits.

Rather than focusing on weight loss as the primary outcome measure, it is often more appropriate to evaluate improvements in co-morbidities and quality of life, although in patients with a BMI of > 35, mortality (including operative) is lower in patients having operations than in those receiving usual care. Numerous observational and case studies over four decades have consistently found improved established risk factors for premature death, reduction of co-morbidity, and improved quality of life after surgical weight loss.

Bariatric surgery benefits
The benefits of successful surgery can be profound on an individual basis. Patient testimonials often detail the overwhelmingly positive effects the surgery has had on their lives.

There are a number of misconceptions around Bariatric surgery. The surgery is an option where other treatments have failed, however patients don't have to have got to the point where they are ill, are massively obese or desperate to go ahead. Most people who choose to have surgery are people who want to take control of their weight and who find it impossible to lose weight and particularly maintain it alone. It is misconceived that patients can lose the weight with willpower alone, and Bariatric surgery alone is able to offer an appropriate aid.

Bariatric surgery can help people lose 60% of their excess weight improving their overall health and general well being which can prolong their life by up to 9 years.

Bariatric surgery can transform health status - studies have shown that Diabetes was completely resolved in 77% of patients and resolved or improved in 86%. High blood fat levels were reduced in 70%, and high blood pressure resolved in 62%.

When compared with conventional treatment, obesity surgery has been shown to result in a significantly greater loss of weight (23–37 kg more weight), which was maintained at 8 years. As a consequence, there were improvements in quality of life and co-morbidities associated with the loss of weight from weight loss surgery.

Comparison of the different types of surgery showed that gastric bypass appeared more beneficial, with a greater weight loss (6–14 kg more weight) and/or improvements in co-morbidities and complications than either gastroplasty or jejunoileal bypass.

Assessment of open versus laparoscopic gastric bypass and adjustable silicone gastric banding (also known as lapbanding) showed fewer serious complications with laparoscopic placement. Laparoscopic surgery had a longer operative time compared with open surgery, but resulted in reduced blood loss, proportion of patients requiring intensive care unit stay, length of hospital stay, days to return to activities of daily living and days to return to work.

One study showed the socio-economic benefits of Obesity surgery in terms of return to work. 59 patients (75%) responded, average age 45, average follow-up time of 14 months. There was a 32% increase in the number of respondents in paid work after surgery. The average weekly hours worked increased from 30.1 to 35.8 hours. Respondents also reported a decrease in obesity-related physical and emotional constraints on their ability to do work. Fewer patients claimed state benefits postoperatively.

Vita Clinics are experts in the treatment of obesity and morbid obesity using Bariatric surgery and non-surgical weight management treatments. For more information contact us on 0800 849 4050.

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