COVID-19 and Obesity: What You Need to Know

COVID-19 is on all of our minds—but life doesn’t stop during a pandemic. As each state in the U.S. plans its strategy for re-opening, it’s more important than ever to understand what can put a person at greater risk and what might impact their recovery.

As researchers all over the world look further into these risk factors, a startling trend has emerged: obesity and underlying conditions often related to being overweight are “common” in the sickest COVID-19 patients.

Read on for the information that you need to know about how obesity affects COVID-19!

Common COVID-19 Risk Factors

COVID-19 is a disease caused by a coronavirus discovered in late 2019. The World Health Organization (WHO) officially classified the outbreak as a pandemic in March 2020. From the beginning, we have been able to identify a few key facts: this is a respiratory illness and it is contagious through close contact.

A common question people find themselves asking is, “how are we able to get more information about a disease we discovered less than a year ago?” The answer lies in close, careful observation of documented cases and the trends that connect patients across the country—and across the world. Some of the most common risk factors for developing COVID-19 are just common sense; elderly and immunocompromised people are, of course, at greater risk, as are individuals with severe respiratory problems.

Physicians have noticed another growing trend in COVID-19 cases—one that impacts over 90 million adults in the United States; obesity, overweight, and weight-related conditions (such as hypertension and type 2 diabetes) lead to increased risk of being hospitalized and dying from COVID-19.

How Obesity Puts People At Greater COVID-19 Risk

Jennifer Lighter, MD, noticed a pattern in the Intensive Care Unit among her younger COVID-19 patients: their body weight. She worked with Anna Stachel, the assistant director of NYU Langone Health’s Department of Infection Prevention and Control, on a study of over 3,600 patients under 60 who had tested positive for COVID-19.

One of New York Bariatric Group’s own amazing surgeons, Dr. Pankti Patel, explained the biggest takeaways of the research: “Young people with a BMI over 30 are twice as likely to be admitted to the ICU due to coronavirus related infection. They’re also 3 times more likely to die from this then people with normal BMIs.”

Why is this the case? Dr. Channing Chin weighed in, telling us that people with obesity are especially susceptible due to associated “medical problems and organ dysfunction,” noting that “many healthy, overweight patients have undiagnosed diseases.” This can lead to those who appear totally healthy being severely affected by COVID-19.

Increased COVID-19 Risk from Weight-Related Conditions

The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) recently published their study on over 5,700 patients around the New York City area. Their research unearthed another unfortunate trend; many patients also had an underlying condition. 57% had high blood pressure and just over one third had a form of diabetes. Patients in the study who had diabetes were also more likely to be placed on a ventilator or develop kidney disease while hospitalized.

One of the researchers, Karina Davidson (senior vice president at the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research), asked that individuals with hypertension and diabetes to reach out to their doctors if they start noticing unusual or worsening symptoms: “…those patients, at least from our description, are highly represented in the people who have a severe course of the disease.”

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) also notes that serious underlying conditions put obese patients at a greater risk for more severe cases of COVID-19. NYBG’s Dr. Cynthia Weber explained: “This is because obesity leads to the development of major comorbidities such as diabetes and heart disease. Obesity also impares lung function, making patients with obesity more susceptible to breathing problems from the coronavirus.”

Dr. John Angstadt calls obesity “the chronic condition… associated with the strongest risk for critical illness,” and urged those looking to lose weight and change their life to consider bariatric surgery at NYBG. “The virus is probably going to be with us for a while, perhaps through the fall and into the winter,” he said. “Now is the time to take a step to get rid of that excess weight and reduce your risk.”

How Weight-Loss Surgery Could Help Lower COVID-19 Risk

Obesity and overweight have proven connections to dangerous conditions; excess weight is said to account for over 25% of hypertension cases in both men and women, and gaining an additional 10% of your weight can make you SIX times more likely to develop moderate or severe sleep apnea. Thankfully, there’s good news—weight-loss surgery not only helps people lose weight, it can help and improve and even resolve conditions like high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, and more!

While our bodies rebel against diets by keeping weight on, bariatric procedures like the gastric sleeve help reset metabolism, reduce production of the “hunger hormone,” and give patients the tools they need to make healthy lifestyle changes. Our patients, any of whom have struggled with yo-yo dieting in the past, tell us that their only regret is not having their surgery sooner.

We are enforcing strict guidelines from the CDC and the health department to keep our staff and our patients healthy during this time, so there’s no better time to get started! NYBG is currently offering in-person and virtual consultations to help patients get started, so reach out and start your health journey today!

Come to NYBG.

When it’s time to start a successful weight-loss journey, it’s time to call NYBG! We’re the best practice around and our numbers prove it:

  • 15 skilled surgeons who are leaders in bariatrics
  • 20,000 successful procedures performed with more every day
  • The #1 gastric balloon practice by volume – most balloons placed in the United States
  • 24/7 access to online seminars
  • 100s of videos for patients explaining procedures, answering common questions, and showcasing previous patients
  • Multiple offices located in three states; NY, NJ, CT
  • Since 2000, we boast 20 years of success!

Our commitment to patient success and excellence has earned us accreditation from the Metabolic Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP). This prestigious achievement recognizes only the top bariatric practices. Stop waiting; start achieving better health today. Together, we’ve got this!

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COVID-19 and Obesity: What You Need to Know

Thomas

Lost 145lbs

Thomas' success story

I went in for surgery. An hour later, I came out a new man.

Everybody treated me like a king. The day of surgery, I was excited. The hospital couldn’t be any nicer. I went in for surgery. An hour later, I came out a new man. My recovery was awesome. I was out of bed that day. My wife and kids were my motivation on getting this surgery. They are my whole life. I’m happy I’m going to be around for them.

Listen to Thomas’ testimonial

Nicole

Lost 76lbs

Nicole's success story

I hit my goal weight ... and I feel fabulous

I had the gastric bypass. I am Type 2 Diabetic and I wanted to gain control of my sugar. I hit my goal weight in about 5 and half months and I feel fabulous. The procedure has completely changed my life for the better because it has empowered me as a middle aged woman that I can really do everything and anything that I want to do. I don't put an age on anything. I don't say I'm too old for something.

Listen to Nicole’s testimonial

Robert

Lost 76lbs

Robert's success story

I was tired of the way I looked. I was tired of the way I felt.

I knew if I didn't change something soon, I was going to be in a lot of trouble. The consultation process was a lot easier than I expected. I was met with open arms. I was treated like I was the only patient here. Not only did they answer all of my questions, they had questions for me to make sure I was the right candidate for the surgery. After surgery and that weight started dropping off, my life started changing for the better.

Listen to Robert’s testimonial

Samantha

Lost 92lbs

Samantha's success story

I feel like a completely different person.

I had the gastric sleeve procedure. The driving factor behind me getting this procedure was my health. I didn't feel good physically or mentally. I had joint pains, even standing was difficult sometimes. Emotionally, this surgery completely turned my life around. I have so much more confidence. So much more happiness. I feel like a completely different person. I feel stronger. I feel able to accomplish more.

Listen to Samantha’s testimonial

Eileen

Lost 99lbs

Eileen's success story

It saved my life.

The driving factor behind me getting my procedure was that I couldn't get up off the floor with my granddaughter. That was my why. That was my big reason for having this surgery done. After surgery, it was a little bit of a struggle with what to eat. What you put in your mouth that you don't even think about. You don't think about what you're eating or how you're eating and portion size. It's what I do now every single day. The procedure has changed my life in so many ways. It saved my life.

Listen to Eileen’s testimonial

Brittany

Lost 126lbs

Brittany's success story

I am totally comfortable in my own skin.

I think I always grew up identifying myself as less than other people because I was fat. I decided to tackle that and just live my life. I had a sleeve gastrectomy. It changed how I view myself. How I communicate with people. I'm able to be much more of myself and live the life I always thought I should have been living. I am totally comfortable in my own skin. You have the tools you need to succeed here.

Listen to Brittany’s testimonial

Desiree

Lost 157lbs

Desiree's success story

I have a brand new life. I can do things I couldn't do before.

I had a vertical sleeve gastrectomy because I had just become diabetic, and I had hypertension for many years. I lost a total of 157 pounds in 11 months. I have a brand new life. I can do things I couldn't do before. Everyone at New York Bariatric Group has been wonderful. They are kind. They are understanding. They make you feel comfortable. They will guide you every step of the way on your journey so that you can be successful.

Listen to Desiree’s testimonial

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