Making the decision to undergo any type of surgery – even one that is recommended by a physician – is not simple.
The caring staff at Longstreet Clinic’s Center for Weight Management understands this, and that is why our providers take the time to help each patient determine whether bariatric surgery is the right choice.
“Decades of data show that there are many lasting and positive outcomes for weight loss surgery, and when we recommend this approach it is with many factors in mind,” said Center for Weight Management surgeon Dr. Robert Richard, FACS. “We take the time to review all aspects of the various weight loss approaches with our patients and work with them as a partner to determine the right fit to reach their goals.”
So, if you find yourself on the fence about whether surgery is the right choice for you, understanding the life-changing realities that Center for Weight Management providers see every day for their surgery patients may help you decide.
First, know that weight loss surgery is usually reserved for patients with certain Body Mass Indexes (BMI). In fact, bariatric surgery is recommended for people who have a BMI of 40 or above and have struggled to lose weight over a long period of time (though patients with a BMI over 35 and weight-related health problems may also qualify).
“Understand that, if you’re already thinking about surgery, it’s probably because you have a lot of excess weight,” said Center for Weight Management bariatric surgeon Dr. Eric J. Velazquez, MBA, FACS, FASMBS. “Surgery is the best proven treatment for these types of patients.”
This is because upwards of 95 percent of people who are more than 100 pounds overweight and have been obese for more than five years fail at losing weight and keeping it off for five years. Simply put, diets, exercise and therapy have proven ineffective in achieving long-term weight loss for these patients. And while new medications such as GLP-1s have shown promise in helping many types of people lose weight, they often are not the best choice for those battling morbid obesity.
“Medications are great, but they’re never going to be able to match the amount of weight that patients need to lose,” Dr. Velazquez said.
Those patients suffering from morbid obesity or those who have battled obesity for many years also can develop conditions related to their weight problems. Called co-morbidities, these conditions can cause several complications, some of which can be life-threatening.
“The impact that surgeries have on other medical conditions is key. A lot of patients affected by obesity will have high blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol problems,” Dr. Velazquez said. “Medications may improve some of those conditions. Surgery, however, has the capacity to cure them.”
Indeed, according to the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, there are some impressive benefits to bariatric surgery – both immediate and long term. Some of these include:
- Diabetes remission: Type 2 diabetes can go into remission rapidly, often within days of surgery, due to improved metabolic function.
- Sleep apnea remission: Patients who suffer sleep apnea see an 85-95% remission rate following surgery
- Improved cardiovascular health: Risk of heart attack and stroke can drop by 82%, with high blood pressure and cholesterol levels improving in 52-92% of patients.
- Reduced joint pain: Significant weight loss reduces strain on joints, alleviating pain and increasing mobility.
- Reduced medication use: Many patients significantly reduce or eliminate the need for medications for diabetes, blood pressure, and cholesterol.
The long-term lifestyle and health risk improvements are also significant, not to mention the fact that many patients maintain at least 20% of total body weight loss 10 years following surgery. Bariatric surgery patients also reduce the risks of cancer by 60%. And that’s not to mention the improved quality of life and self-esteem which typically comes with significant weight loss.
“We want patients to realize that weight loss surgery is not a ‘magic wand.’ It is a tool to use, and that long-term success still requires a commitment from the patient to a healthy lifestyle,” said Dr. Richard. “However, bariatric surgery is a proven route to jumpstarting lifelong improved health – one that I’ve seen with my patients firsthand.”
“If you are a patient that has a lot of weight to lose and has some conditions that have developed, these benefits may make you realize that surgery is the right pathway to follow,” Dr. Velazquez said.
At the Center for Weight Management, providers like Dr. Velazquez and Dr. Robert Richard tailor proven weight loss solutions to your specific needs. The results help you maximize your success. Contact us today or call 770-534-0110 where one of our weight loss specialists is ready to assist you.
