Bariatric Surgery in Las Vegas: Benefits

Both Las Vegas bariatric surgery patients and individuals worldwide can benefit greatly from weight loss surgery. Most importantly, bariatric surgery saves lives. Recent studies show that bariatric surgery patients are living longer lives than morbidly obese individuals. You also can see the benefits of bariatric surgery when you look back on how individual lives have improved.

Although there are benefits, this surgery is not without risks. It's important to consider each risk in making your decision.

Reduction in Mortality (Extended Life Expectancy)
Reduced life span due to obesity is important to consider. Compared to a person of normal weight, a 25-year-old obese man has a reduced life span, and he can expect a loss of about 12 years of life. Bariatric surgery has been shown to improve life span by reducing excess body weight. In a recent study, bariatric surgery reduced overall morbidity and the development of new health-related conditions in morbidly obese patients. Bariatric surgery reduced the relative risk of death by 89% with an absolute mortality reduction of 5.49%.

Resolution of Obesity-Related Health Conditions
Bariatric surgery has been shown to impact obesity-related health conditions. Recent studies have indicated:

• Through gastric bypass surgery, patients have shown more than 83% resolution in type 2 diabetes.
• Patients experience up to 88% resolution in obstructive sleep apnea, while another group noted 75% resolution in hypertension.
• More than 0% of patients saw an improvement in their hyperlipidemia.
• In 2004 meta-analysis of more than 22,000 patients showed that those who underwent a bariatric surgical procedure experienced complete resolution or improvement of their co-morbid conditions including diabetes, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and obstructive sleep apnea.
• In 2000, a study of 500 gastric bypass patients showed that 96% of co-morbidities (the study looked specifically at back pain, sleep apnea, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and depression) were improved or resolved.
• In studies involving more than 3,000 gastric banding patients, excess weight loss ranged from 28 to 87%, with a minimum of two-year postoperative follow-up.

Obesity-related health conditions that may be improved or resolved with bariatric surgery include:

• Type 2 diabetes
• High blood pressure/heart disease
• Dyslipidemia (lipid metabolism abnormalities)
• Osteoarthritis of weight-bearing joints
• Depression
• Sleep apnea/respiratory problems
• Gastroesophageal reflux/heartburn
• Infertility
• Urinary stress incontinence
• Menstrual irregularities
• Asthma
• Skin breakdown
• Swollen legs/skin ulcers
• Extremity venous stasis

Long-Term Weight Loss
Bariatric surgery is an effective weight loss treatment. A recent study established the following criterion for successful bariatric surgery: the ability to achieve and maintain loss of at least 50% of excess body weight without significantly undesirable effects. Typical results for bariatric surgery meet this success criterion. The majority of people who have bariatric surgery are able to keep off at least half of their excess body weight long term.

The amount of weight a patient will lose after the procedure depends upon several factors. These include:

• Patient's age
• Weight before surgery
• Overall condition of the patient's health
• Surgical procedure
• Ability to exercise
• Commitment to maintaining dietary guidelines and other follow-up care
• Motivation of patient and help from family, friends, and associates

Surgical treatment, although not without risk, is the most effective long-term treatment for extreme obesity and is likely to be used more widely given that the number of Americans with a BMI >40 has nearly tripled in the last decade. In 2004, approximately 140,600 bariatric surgery and revision bariatric surgery procedures were performed in order to treat morbid obesity. An estimated 173,000 people will have bariatric surgery in 2005.

Lifestyle Opportunities
Bariatric surgery, such as Lap-Band, gastric bypass and Stomaphyx in Las Vegas, can reduce excess body weight and improve patients' lives in many ways. Some benefits are common among patients; others are unique to each individual patient.

Here are some of the surgery benefits patients have described:

• Improved job or career prospects
• Reduced shortness of breath
• Increased energy level
• Regularly get a good night of sleep
• Greater confidence
• Improved dating life
• Greater variety in choice of clothes
• Exercise is more rewarding

Here are a few activities and changed behaviors patients have enjoyed:

• I put on a bathing suit for the first time in 22 years.
• It's more enjoyable to be outdoors.
• I walk further than I used to.
• Now I ride my bike, walk, and go hunting and fishing.
• I'm able to ride roller coasters with my daughter.
• It's easier to play and be active with my family.
• Traveling is more enjoyable.