Benefits

While the cosmetic benefits may appear to be the most obvious reason for undergoing bariatric surgery, the health benefits are actually much more significant. With a host of comorbidities associated with obesity, it is important to understand just how bariatric procedures can help you live a full and healthy life.

Arthritis – Back/Joint Disease

Arthritis- osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition that affects the joints in the knees, hips, and lower back. Over time, the cartilage (padding that helps cushion joints), and the bones in the joints wear away. This destruction causes chronic pain. Obesity leads to and increases the risk of arthritis. The symptoms of osteoarthritis including pain, stiffness, and loss of mobility are worse in the obese population as joints are put under greater stress and pressure. Therefore, musculoskeletal problems like osteoarthritis are much more prevalent in the obese population than among normal weight individuals. Health studies show that obesity is a strong predictor of symptoms arthritis, especially in the knees. After bariatric surgery and the subsequent weight loss, the symptoms of osteoarthritis can be dramatically improved or resolved, or the condition can be avoided completely.