We all know that bariatric surgery patients can lose significant amounts of weight, and that this brings many benefits in addition to looking better in fashionable clothes. But the appearance gains are only the beginning of the benefits of weight loss surgery. Weight loss surgery can help people have more energy, reduce or even resolve threats from diabetes, reduce cholesterol, lower risks from heart disease, relieve arthritis and osteoarthritis, cure sleep apnea, and more. Now, recent research is highlighting yet another long-term benefit of bariatric surgery: weight loss surgery can dramatically increase a patient’s life expectancy.

Survival Gains From Weight Loss Surgery

Recent research shows that when compared with other treatments for obesity, weight loss surgery leads to significant survival gains (increases in life expectancy). The most significant survival gains after bariatric surgery are seen in patients with diabetes.

In this study, published in May in The Lancet, researchers analyzed data on obese patients gathered from multiple controlled trials, scientific literature, and cohort studies. The resesarchers concluded that obese patients who underwent weight loss surgery (including gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, gastric banding, and duodenal switch surgery) lived on average 6.1 years longer than obese patients treated with non-surgical approaches. Patients who underwent bariatric surgery also showed a 49.2% decrease in all-cause mortality. Diabetic patients who underwent weight loss surgery saw the most pronounced survival gains, increasing their life expectancy for an average of 9.3 years.

In conclusion, the researchers stated, “Among adults with obesity, metabolic–bariatric surgery is associated with substantially lower all-cause mortality rates and longer life expectancy than usual obesity management. Survival benefits are much more pronounced for people with pre-existing diabetes than those without.”

Contact Texas Laparoscopic Consultants

At TLC Surgery in Houston, we have been helping patients achieve their weight loss goals for more than 10 years, and offer a full range of weight loss surgery options. If you are interested in learning more about how you might benefit from bariatric surgery, please contact us to schedule a consultation with one of our weight loss specialists.