The 6 Biggest Benefits of Weight-Loss Procedures You May Not Know
Bariatric options can provide life-changing opportunities for people looking to lose weight – but what many people don’t realize is that these procedures have benefits beyond shedding unwanted pounds! For patients, surgical and non-surgical procedures alike are a gateway to new hobbies, better relationships, and even a longer life. Check out the 6 biggest benefits of weight-loss procedures you may not know below!
1. Promotes Weight Loss…Long-Term
It’s no surprise that patients are able lose the majority of their excess weight with weight-loss procedures – it’s right there in the name, after all! Non-surgical options can help people lose anywhere between 20 and 70 pounds, while bariatric surgery tends to result in 60 to 80% of excess weight lost.
But did you know that surgical options can also reset patients’ metabolisms to help them sustain their success? The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) found that patients who chose to get a gastric bypass maintained their results even 12 years after surgery. Non-surgical options like gastric balloons have been clinically tested, and patients have been seen to maintain their weight loss at least a year after the removal of their balloon.
Looking for more proof? We talked to one of our gastric balloon patients, Cheryl:
“I was so overweight. I couldn’t tie my shoes. I couldn’t fit in chairs. Life was hard. Until I had [my procedure] with New York Bariatric Group. The doctors put me at ease. They were so confident. Now I feel like I can set the world on fire!”
2. Improves Weight-Related Conditions
Society tends to frame “losing weight” as all about aesthetics – while the confidence boost many of our patients gain is a great bonus, the incredible health benefits are what we prefer to focus on. Obesity is the #2 leading cause of preventable death in the United States, primarily because it is linked to numerous adverse health conditions. The American Board for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) lists some common comorbidities as
- High blood pressure
- Sleep apnea
- Asthma and other breathing disorders
- Arthritis
- Lipid (cholesterol) abnormalities
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Fatty liver disease
- Venous stasis (blood clots in leg veins)
- Urinary stress incontinence
Weight-loss surgery has not only been proven to reduce the symptoms of these conditions and others – some patients even see them completely resolve! In fact, bariatric surgery is considered by the medical community as an effective treatment for curing type 2 diabetes. 80% of diabetic patients who opted for surgery saw their symptoms completely disappear, while the majority of the remaining 20% required less medication and experienced less severe symptoms. Some patients have told us that the last time they ever had to take a pill for their condition was the day before their surgery!
3. Improves Emotional and Mental Health
Studies show that bariatric patients also report better moods and mental health! Studies published by the ASMBS found that depression did not inhibit the process of losing weight at all – depressed patients lost weight at the same rate as other patients, and they even saw their antidepressant use drop by roughly 20% one year after surgery. Better still, they were able to maintain these lower doses three years later.
MedCrave research found that 20% of patients choose bariatric surgery to improve their self-esteem. We hear from patients all the time that they’re more confident than ever and can enjoy life to the fullest! The National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) found that all types of weight-loss procedures – non-surgical and surgical alike – help improve patients’ quality of life. This includes everything from self-esteem and happiness to overall satisfaction with their life.
4. Reduces Cancer Risk
Obesity has been linked to the development of 13 different types of hormonal cancers according to a study from the National Cancer Institute (NCI); thankfully, they also discovered a solution for these potentially life-threatening conditions!
Bariatric surgery was observed to make patients five times less likely to develop these cancers. Researchers believe this study is even more important because the benefits don’t stop at prevention – they found that bariatric surgery (and weight loss in general) can increase survivorship in patients who were already diagnosed with cancer.
Learn more about these benefits in one of our other blog posts!
5. Increases Longevity
Weight-loss surgery doesn’t just improve patients’ lives – it can extend them! NEJM cited a study showing that the gastric bypass reduces patients’ risk of death by 40% over a 7-year period, regardless of their age, sex, or starting BMI. More specifically, in their study of 10,000 people, they saw that surgery helped patients achieve:
- 56% reduction in death from coronary artery disease
- 92% reduction in death from diabetes
- 60% reduction in death from cancer
Weight-loss procedures have such a powerful impact on patient longevity because it treats and resolves the comorbidities that can drastically shorten lifespans, all while helping patients take better care of themselves. Patients live healthier after surgery in part because they have the tools to eat better and exercise more frequently, both of which reduce mortality risk even further.
6. Helps Patients Develop Life-Long, Healthy Habits
Bariatric patients are often pleasantly surprised to experience benefits beyond just medical health and weight loss. An NCBI study found that weight-loss surgery improves patient quality of life both short-term and long-term. Our patients tell us the same, from less pain to fewer medications to being able to keep up with the kids!
So, what helps patients maintain these amazing benefits, even years after their procedure? Weight-loss procedures help them develop healthy habits that they can use for the rest of their lives! Feeling full on less food allows them to eat smaller, nutrient-rich meals and experience less hunger, teaching them to properly portion and plan meals accordingly. As patients lose weight and improve their range of motion, they often feel less pain while moving and standing, allowing them to exercise more frequently and find a routine they enjoy.
With the tools these procedures provide, patients are able to take their new benefits and turn them into life-long habits for living well, thanks to the opportunities bariatric procedures provide.
Take Advantage of Our Obalon Balloon Special
There’s no better time to start living healthier! At NYBG, we’re offering the opportunity of a lifetime with one of our most popular non-surgical procedures. Obalon is the first FDA-approved, swallowable gastric balloon; it usually costs $9,000, but we’re reducing the price by $3,000 for our patients!
The Obalon balloon fills space in the stomach to help patients feel fuller on less food, jump-starting their weight-loss success. During this time, patients are encouraged to develop healthy habits like exercising regularly and eating smaller, healthy portions – all with support from NYBG’s expert staff. This deal is only available until January 31st, 2019, so don’t wait!
We love helping our thousands of patients reach their goals – schedule a consultation today to see if Obalon could be the best option for you!
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:
- 13 skilled surgeons who are leaders in bariatrics
- 15,000 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 18 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.
