The Unexpected Benefits of Weight Loss Surgery

Weight loss surgery is becoming more and more common. In 2019, approximately 256,000 Americans underwent bariatric surgery.

The primary benefit is obvious—weight loss. The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery reports around 90% of patients lose 50% of their excess body weight and keep it off long-term.

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What you may not know is that there are benefits to weight loss surgery beyond the number on the scale, including:

Ending Sleep Problems

Just as lack of sleep affects our weight, our weight affects our sleep. People with a BMI over 30 have twice as many sleep problems as people with BMIs under 25. Lack of sleep decreases melatonin, alters circadian rhythm and causes weight gain. However, weight loss can significantly improve sleep quality, especially for sleep apnea sufferers. Untreated sleep apnea contributes to hypertension, stroke, heart failure, diabetes, obesity and heart attacks. But the good news is - up to 98% of bariatric patients experience a reversal of sleep apnea.

Improving Fertility

If you struggle with infertility, you're not alone. Studies show that obesity alters men's hormones, making them 42% more likely to have a low sperm count than those in a "normal" weight classification. Among women, obesity can triple the risk of infertility, which can lead to delayed conception, hormone disorders, reduced IVF results and increased miscarriage risk by as much as 25% compared to those in a "healthy weight" BMI category.

However, studies have found a strong correlation between weight loss and conception. In the first 12 months after weight-loss surgery, men experience improved free testosterone levels and sperm viability. Women also reported a surprising spike in fertility. According to some studies, the average pregnancy rate for previously infertile polycystic ovary syndrome patients post-bariatric surgery was 73%.

Lowering Blood Pressure & Cholesterol Levels

If you have high cholesterol, you may know this is caused by fatty deposits in your blood that hinder blood flow and can lead to cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, heart attack or stroke. Losing as little as 10 pounds can improve your cholesterol levels, but studies have shown weight loss surgeries like gastric bypass can raise high-density lipoprotein (HDL or "good" cholesterol) and reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL or "bad" cholesterol) levels.

Similarly, high blood pressure damages arteries and decreases blood flow and oxygen to the heart, which can lead to heart attack, heart failure, stroke, and dementia. Weight-loss surgery has been shown to reverse high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels in as many as 63% of people, according to the American Heart Association.

Reducing Anxiety and Depression

Weight loss surgery is associated with long-term reductions in anxiety and depressive symptoms. Obesity affects your mood, but depression also can lead to less exercise, cravings for high-carb food and a slower metabolism. It's a vicious cycle, but weight-loss surgery can decrease depression symptoms by as much as 55%.

Reversing Chronic Disease

According to the American Diabetes Association, type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes and is typically diagnosed in people who are overweight with a sedentary lifestyle. Studies have shown that people with obesity are 10 times more likely to develop diabetes. Type 2 diabetes and obesity exponentially increase your risk of depression, blindness, skin conditions, sleep apnea, hearing loss and other diseases. But, after weight loss surgery, up to 83% of patients experience a reversal in the disease.

And diabetes isn't the only condition you can say "farewell" to. As many as 54% of individuals diagnosed with arthritis are overweight or obese—and the chance of developing arthritis increases with weight. Losing weight means less pressure on your joints and decreased pain, stiffness and swelling.

If you've been considering weight loss surgery, why not talk with your provider about ways to leave your comorbidities behind, too?

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