Health Benefits to Gastric Bypass

Both physically and mentally, obesity takes a toll on your body.  Morbid obesity can reduce the lifespan as much as 20% in a given patient, depending on their age and co-morbid problems. (Source: Obeseinfo.com) The risks of diabetes, heart disease, cancer and other diseases increase with obesity.

Occasionally traditional weight-loss methods, such as diet and exercise, are difficult for people who are obese and an alternative solution is necessary. Another possible solution is weight-loss surgery. Weight-loss surgery may help someone who is obese get a kick start to a healthier lifestyle, but by no means is it an “easy fix”.

Let’s dive deeper into the health benefits of a specific surgery:  Gastric Bypass. Other than weight-loss, Gastric Bypass surgery can provide many overall health benefits, including hypertension and diabetes remission, and improved sleep apnea, asthma, joint pain, arthritis, reflux, fatigue, shortness of breath and an overall increased sense of well-being.

According to a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association, the health benefits from gastric bypass surgery last for six years or longer. In this study there were 1,156 severely obese participants aged 18-72 years. Within this group, 418 patients were treated with Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass compared to two control groups.  The first control group was made up of 417 patients seeking Roux-en-Y surgery but did not have it, and the second control group was a population based sample of 321 patients with no prior history of bariatric surgery.

Six years later, the follow-up information concluded that the gastric bypass participants had lost and maintained their reduced weight, which was more than one quarter of their initial weight-loss, 60 percent of patients who were originally diabetic no longer were, and 42 percent had their high blood pressure return to normal. Participants in the comparison, no-surgery groups did not lose any weight and more of them developed diabetes over the six years.

With long term results apparent, it’s no wonder that the procedure’s popularity is increasing. There are pros and cons to all types of weight-loss surgeries and it is important to do your research and talk to a physician before undergoing a certain procedure. To learn more about the pros and cons of the weight-loss surgery options FirstHealth provides, please visit ncweightlosssurgery.org or you can attend a free bi-monthly weight-loss seminar.

FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital in partnership with Pinehurst Surgical provides weight-loss options and support for patients in the Pinehurst, Raeford, Sanford, Lumberton, Laurinburg, Rockingham, and Troy regions of North Carolina and beyond.