Obesity has turned out to be a major global health concern because it can lead to many chronic health problems, like type-2 diabetes, heart disease, infertility, joint disorders, etc. For people having a hard time with severe obesity, bariatric surgery has become the most effective weight loss option and improves overall health. This is because bariatric surgery offers remarkable weight loss results and also helps to treat various obesity-related conditions like diabetes, heart problems, etc.
However, people should be committed and make the required lifestyle changes to achieve long-term success. Many people who are obese have this question in mind “Can bariatric surgery help you lose weight permanently?”. Let’s get into the details of these procedures, the way they work, and their outcomes, so that we can understand whether they can provide permanent weight loss results.
What is bariatric surgery, and how effective is it?
Bariatric surgery involves a variety of procedures that are tailored to help people who want to get rid of excess weight by altering the anatomy of the digestive system. Gastric bypass, gastric sleeve (sleeve gastrectomy), and OAGB are the most common bariatric surgeries used for weight loss. These weight procedures are highly effective in reducing weight, and these procedures involve decreasing the stomach’s size and limiting nutrient absorption by restricting the quantity of food consumed.
The main reason why bariatric surgery is considered an effective weight loss option is because it is a long-term weight loss solution. Yes, weight loss with bariatric surgery might last for the long term, but it mostly depends on the commitment of the patient to adopt a healthy lifestyle. Surgery is just like a kickstart in the weight loss journey, and to maintain the results for a long time, one needs to modify their diet, exercise regularly, and receive psychological support.
An article published in JAMA Surgery (an international journal) stated that, on average, people lose 54% to 78% of their excess weight within one to five years after bariatric surgery. Additionally, these procedures help patients improve or remission some obesity-related comorbidities, especially type 2 diabetes, hypertension, heart-related problems, obstructive sleep apnea, etc.
Mechanisms of Weight Loss
Several mechanisms are employed by bariatric surgery to promote weight loss:
Food restriction
Sleeve gastrectomy and gastric banding are the types of procedures that work by reducing the stomach size, which in turn limits the quantity of food it can hold. These procedures alter the communication of the gut-brain which aids in hunger management and makes you feel fuller faster.
Malabsorption
Gastric bypass surgery is a type of procedure that involves rerouting the digestive tract, which means a section of the small intestine and stomach are bypassed. This may result in weight loss as it helps to reduce the capacity of your body to absorb nutrient content from the consumed food, which leads to calorie absorption.
Hormonal Changes
Some bariatric procedures have a significant impact on appetite-regulating hormones and metabolism, such as ghrelin, leptin, and insulin. These changes aid in hunger management, enhance insulin response, and result in weight loss.
Managing long-term weight loss
Bariatric surgery is the initial procedure that triggers weight loss; the key question is whether it is permanent or can be maintained for the long term. Yes, it can be maintained for a long time, but it is influenced by several factors:
Changes in lifestyle
Bariatric surgery is like a tool that aids in weight loss. Long-term maintenance of the lost weight depends on strictly adopting healthy lifestyle habits, especially mindful eating, physical exercise, and avoiding a sedentary lifestyle.
Recovery
Post-operative care is very important, so don’t miss your follow-up appointments because it helps to monitor weight loss progress, address post-surgical complications, and provide support.
Psychological factors
Following surgery, people may experience psychological factors such as depression, anxiety, stress, issues with body image, etc. that need to be addressed for long-term weight loss success. There are many bariatric surgery programs and public groups that offer psychological support and counselling services to overcome these challenges.
Medical Monitoring
Monitoring medically in the long term is highly necessary because it is the only way doctors can assess your nutritional status and address if there are any complications to optimize health outcomes. Patients might need to take vitamins and mineral supplements for the rest of their lives to prevent deficiencies caused by malabsorption.
In conclusion, it is clear bariatric surgery is a worthy solution for obesity, as it triggers substantial weight loss and improves obesity-related health problems. It is also clear that surgery alone is not a magic cure; what you do after surgery is very important as well. For a comprehensive weight loss approach that suits you, consult Dr. Venugopal Pareek, one of the best weight loss surgeons in Hyderabad. He has more than 18 years of experience as a bariatric surgeon in India, with an unparalleled success rate.
