Do the benefits of bariatric surgery outweigh the risks?
Obesity increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, high blood pressure, asthma and some forms of cancer. Fortunately, recent studies report decreases in mortality after bariatric surgery. Plus, many of the diseases and health conditions associated with obesity simply disappear, including sleep apnea, acid reflux disease, arthritis and incontinence. Weight-loss surgery can also cure Type 2 diabetes, eliminating the dependance on insulin or oral diabetes drugs. But as with any procedure, bariatric surgery has its own risks of complications which should be discussed with your physician. However, those risks can be greatly reduced when the procedure is conducted by a specially trained surgical team in a facility dedicated to bariatric medicine, as well as carefully following instructions before and after surgery.
