Weight-Loss Surgery Risks And Benefits
The Guardian, 19th January 2010
Weight-loss procedures very often save people’s lives. However, before making a decision whether or not have it, all patients should think well about all risks and benefits of the operation.
Sometimes the decision is tough but when people realize surgery might mean longer life, the choice is easier.
As all surgeries, also bariatric procedures might bring risks. It’s crucial to know who’s going to benefit most from the procedure. In general, morbidly obese patients, with BMI of 40 or more, are these who should have the operation in the first place. If they don’t, they risk having serious health problems connected with their weight.
Studies show that people with BMI of 40 will live longer if they undergo bariatric surgery. This, obviously, varies depending on age, sex and BMI.
Further research was carried out to find out what patients are more likely to benefit weight-loss procedures most.
The studies show that the younger the patient, the better the results. In other words, older patients tend to benefit less from the operation. For example, a 40 year-old patient with BMI of 45 can expect a three years longer life if they had a weight-loss surgery.
Age seems to be the main factor defining bariatric surgery benefits. The reason is that young people are less likely to have post-operative complications. What’s more, they have more time to see the benefits of the operation on their health.
However, also older patients, aged 74 for women and 66 for men, should expect a year longer life if they decide to undergo the procedure.
The risk of death is quite low – studies show that just 1 patient out of 1000 died during or after the operation. This, again, depends on the age and sex. Women below 60 and men below 50 are less likely to die during or after the surgery.
Patients differ and each organism is individual. Also numerous factors have to be taken into account to decide whether somebody will benefit the procedure or not. However, the studies provide extremely useful information of benefits for different ages, sex and BMI.
