Bariatric Surgery Can Lead to Longer Survival, Study Indicates
Chronic obesity is an issue that can cause ripple effects on health that ultimately lead to shorter lifespans. But, can bariatric surgery designed to help people lose weight once and for all and keep it off really make a difference?
Research published recently in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) indicates that yes, indeed, it can. The latest round of study involves 2,500 patients and nearly 7,500 matched controls who were all receiving care through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs system. Researchers found that patients who are obese tended to live longer after having surgery to assist with weight loss than those who don’t. In fact, there was a 53 percent lower risk of dying from any cause at five to 14 years out from a weight loss procedure.
While previous studies have been conducted showing a link between surgery and longer-term survival rates, the focus of the VA-based research conducted by the University of Washington School of Medicine was different. This time researchers zeroed in on older patients with a median age of 52. And, unlike previous studies that involved mostly younger women, this study looked at a 74 percent male population. About 55 percent of the participant population had diabetes and other obesity-related concerns, such as heart disease, high blood pressure and depression.
Obesity has been strongly linked to a host of chronic, life-altering illnesses, including diabetes and heart disease. Losing weight can lower the risk of contracting these illnesses while lessening their effects if they are already present. As research is showing, weight loss surgery can prove to be a valuable tool in not only shedding pounds, but also increasing longer-term survival chances.
To find out more about bariatric surgery options, be sure to consult with a licensed physician. The best option for losing weight and controlling it will depend on your unique case.
Research published recently in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) indicates that yes, indeed, it can. The latest round of study involves 2,500 patients and nearly 7,500 matched controls who were all receiving care through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs system. Researchers found that patients who are obese tended to live longer after having surgery to assist with weight loss than those who don’t. In fact, there was a 53 percent lower risk of dying from any cause at five to 14 years out from a weight loss procedure.
While previous studies have been conducted showing a link between surgery and longer-term survival rates, the focus of the VA-based research conducted by the University of Washington School of Medicine was different. This time researchers zeroed in on older patients with a median age of 52. And, unlike previous studies that involved mostly younger women, this study looked at a 74 percent male population. About 55 percent of the participant population had diabetes and other obesity-related concerns, such as heart disease, high blood pressure and depression.
Obesity has been strongly linked to a host of chronic, life-altering illnesses, including diabetes and heart disease. Losing weight can lower the risk of contracting these illnesses while lessening their effects if they are already present. As research is showing, weight loss surgery can prove to be a valuable tool in not only shedding pounds, but also increasing longer-term survival chances.
To find out more about bariatric surgery options, be sure to consult with a licensed physician. The best option for losing weight and controlling it will depend on your unique case.
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