Benefits of Bariatric Weight Loss Surgery
Every day we see the benefits that weight loss brings to our patients, whichever surgery option they choose. It can not only cure people’s diabetes but can allow them to shop on the high street and exercise without restriction and pain. The benefits for each patient are different and can cover physical, emotional and mental aspects of their lives. The benefits also reach to patients’ family and friends with them being happier and healthier, being more sociable, able to do more things, etc, so we at Streamline Surgical know that the benefits of weight loss can never be underestimated.
We know and have seen with thousands of patients that controlled and sustained weight loss can lead to huge health benefits for an obese patient such as improved life expectancy and mobility. The biggest benefits that we are told time and time again are:
- Being able to play with children/grandchildren
- Not being controlled by food anymore
- Improved self confidence and esteem
- Liking what they see in the mirror
- Going on a plane/train/bus and fitting in the seats
- Not feeling stared at and judged by others anymore
- Having more freedom to do what you want to do
- Feeling respected and listened to by others
- Everyday life being so much easier and more comfortable
Even a 5-10% reduction in weight can enhance metabolic signaling in the body resulting in a 50% decrease in the risk of developing diabetes, better glycaemic control and a 40% reduction in obesity related cancers. It also results in a 20% decrease in mortality. Some of the more noticeable physical benefits are decreased breathlessness and improved sleep apnoea, back and joint pain. For many, the benefits seen are intangible, including dramatic boosts to self-esteem and reductions in depression and anxiety.
Bariatric surgery can lead to 75% of excess weight loss over 5 years and therefore the health benefits are often amplified, varying with the type of surgery (American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery). For example, gastric bypass operations achieve a higher degree of weight loss than gastric bands. If a patient feels they have attempted all conservative methods of weight loss without success, surgery may be the only solution.
“I can kick a football around now and take the children swimming. I’m much more active now and it’s so nice to do more things. My confidence has risen tremendously” Mrs. D. Bark, gastric band patient
“My life has changed completely. My diabetes and high blood pressure has almost gone and life is so different now. I can play with my grandchildren which is fantastic, I never could have run about before! I haven’t been able to shop in high street stores for 20 years and this is a massive boost” Mr. G. Higgins, gastric bypass patient
“It’s the best thing I’ve ever done. I feel less down now and more noticed and respected by others. I can fit in a plane seat and I go to the gym three times a week now – I would have been far too embarrassed to have done this before surgery” Mrs. L. Taylor, gastric bypass patient
To read more about our patient’s gastric bypass stories and the benefits they’ve seen please take a look at our case study pages.
Sources:
|
