Weight Loss Surgery & Living Longer

Can Weight Loss Surgery Help You Live Longer? 

…in short, yes! But, you must be willing to put in the work. 

Obesity has not only long been linked to a host of health challenges but remains a significant cause for the reduction in life expectancy by 5-10 years. Interestingly, although bariatric surgery has been shown to prolong life expectancy significantly, weight loss patients still have a shorter life expectancy than the general population of non-obese adults. Hence, the need for steadfast changes in post-op care, counseling, and a lifelong commitment to healthy eating habits, daily activity, as well as monitoring progress with face-to-face follow-ups. The journey to successful and sustainable weight loss doesn’t end once you leave the operating room. It’s one that spans a lifetime, requiring unwavering devotion to help move the needle when it comes to sobering mortality statistics. 

Weight Loss and Mortality Rates: The Results are In 

Let’s look at the following statistics that may help put things in perspective: 

• 70.6% of 65 patients expected post-op quality of life was very good or good.
• Adjusted median life expectancy post-op was 30 years (95%) longer, but 5.5 years shorter in comparison to the general population. 

It’s overwhelmingly apparent that most patients who undergo bariatric surgery will live longer lives than if they had not undergone the surgery. This hypothesis is based on millions of people fastidiously observed through hundreds of different studies that were published. It’s important to keep in mind because weight loss surgery has been found to reduce, or even reverse, the risk of common, obesity-related illnesses, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, certain cancers, etc., this alone will help patients live longer. Not having to contend with a life-threatening illness in and of itself changes the game – tenfold. 

According to a 40-year study conducted in Utah of nearly 22,000 patients who’ve had bariatric surgery, a striking 80% were female. Additionally, deaths from heart attack, cancer, and type 2 diabetes were 24% lower for females and 22% lower for males who’ve underwent the surgery compared to those who didn’t opt for the surgery. The same study also found people who underwent one of the four types of bariatric surgery were 16% less likely to die from any causes! However, the drop in deaths from diseases triggered by obesity, such as heart disease/coronary disease, cancer, and type 2 diabetes was even more impressive. For instance, deaths from cardiovascular disease decreased by 29%, while deaths caused from different cancers decreased by 43%, including a whopping 72% decline in deaths related to type 2 diabetes in patients who’ve undergone some type of bariatric surgery.

The Ongoing Struggle Against Obesity 

As much as these statistics offer hope in the fight against the current, ongoing obesity epidemic, we’re sadly still a long way off before we can declare a win against the battle of the bulge. Only 2% of patients who are eligible for bariatric surgery and get cleared actually go through with the surgery. Many weight loss experts believe this may be due to the unfortunate stigma attached to weight loss surgery and the irrepressible fear of being socially ostracized and labeled as “lazy” or “not having enough/any willpower.” 

Not every body is the same and bariatric surgery is not a one-size-fits-all solution. There are numerous innovative types of weight loss surgeries to help target and treat each patient. Some patients need a multiple of different approaches to get strong results, while others may require a more streamlined approach. More personalized approaches, along with denouncing harmful, social stigmas may help those who are seeking bariatric surgery and/or weight loss treatment to achieve a lifetime of health, harmony, and happiness.