Surgery for obesity & metabolic diseases
Making state of the art surgery affordable
Various options are available regarding weight loss, from traditional diet and exercise plans to medical therapies and surgical interventions. While all of these approaches have their merits, weight loss surgery stands out as a particularly effective and lasting method for shedding excess pounds. In this blog post, we will specifically explore the reasons why weight loss surgery surpasses medical therapy for weight loss.
One of the most compelling reasons to consider weight loss surgery is its unparalleled effectiveness in achieving significant and sustained weight loss.
Surgical procedures such as gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, and several other procedures result in substantial weight loss within the first eighteen months. These results often surpass what is achievable through medical therapy or lifestyle changes alone.
To give you a better perspective on this comment, it is calculated that non-surgical measures achieve around 20% of the excess weight loss. In contrast, surgical obesity treatment achieves, when considered successful, which is in most cases, at least the loss of 50% of the excess weight, and in the case of the gastric bypass and gastric sleeve, it achieves even more in the initial 18 months.
Some might argue that what would be the point of having weight loss surgery if a good percentage of patients suffer weight regain after a few years from surgery?
The answer is simple: all the benefits that come with reduced weight will impact the patients' general health in the present and days to come, so even if the patient has weight regain (this is something usually related to non-compliance and lack of follow-up and can be prevented) the years that they were on a healthier weight will still show benefits by reducing chances of developing chronic diseases or by delaying their presentation.
Still, the goal should be achieving weight loss with the tool that surgery represents and maintaining such weight loss for decades. It is achievable, but it demands focus and commitment from the patient.
Weight loss surgery does not only help individuals shed excess pounds but also facilitates long-term weight maintenance. This is due to the physical changes in the digestive system and metabolism brought about by surgery. Patients are more likely to keep the weight off than those who rely solely on medical therapies or diet and exercise, often leading to weight regain in a shorter period just after stopping medication intake.
Many surgical weight loss procedures, like gastric bypass and gastric sleeve, reduce the size of the stomach and reroute the digestive tract. These changes profoundly impact hunger-regulating hormones such as ghrelin, leading to decreased appetite and better control of food intake. Medical therapy, in contrast, may not offer the same level of appetite regulation.
Surgery often results in metabolic changes that favor weight loss. For example, it can improve insulin sensitivity, making it easier to manage blood sugar levels and reducing the risk of developing diabetes, which is often more challenging to achieve through medical therapy alone. It is relevant to highlight that the metabolic changes are not solely related to the change in weight since it has been demonstrated that weight loss surgery achieves these beneficial changes through several mechanisms that go far beyond just losing weight.
Weight loss surgery frequently leads to resolving or improving obesity-related health issues like diabetes, high blood pressure, and sleep apnea. Medical therapy also treats these comorbidities, but surgery offers a more effective and lasting approach, often making these diseases enter into remission.
Undergoing weight loss surgery often leads to significant improvements in mental health. Patients experience positive changes in body image and self-esteem, leading to reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety. This psychological transformation is not as noticeable with medical therapy since the results are not as good as with surgery; even recently, some medications have been linked to mental health concerns. This is something that I mention with all the reserve since weight loss medications, and even more, the newest ones, such as the GLP 1 receptor agonists, have gained popularity; this is due to the better results they have shown in the last couple of years in comparison to previous weight loss medications.
Some surgical procedures reduce the size of the stomach or alter its function, resulting in early satiety and less desire to overeat. This effect is a significant advantage in achieving and maintaining weight loss.
While the initial surgery cost may be relatively high, the long-term cost savings can be significant. Surgery reduces the need for ongoing medical treatments and medications to control chronic diseases. If the patient is not medication-free (i.e., diabetes remission), the need for high doses and frequent drugs is less likely after weight loss surgery.
Weight loss surgery offers a comprehensive, effective, and lasting solution to obesity that surpasses medical therapy in several vital ways. The physical changes in the digestive system, metabolic improvements, appetite regulation, and psychological benefits contribute to its success. However, it's important to note that surgery is unsuitable for everyone and should be considered in consultation with your bariatric surgeon. The decision to undergo weight loss surgery should be well-informed and tailored to individual needs and goals, ensuring the best path to a healthier and happier life.
If you have any other questions about this topic, we invite you to share them with us through any of our communication channels.
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