Gastric Bypass Surgery - Results and Health Benefits of Gastric Bypass

Results and Health Benefits of Gastric Bypass

Weight loss of 65–80% of excess body weight is typical of most large series of gastric bypass operations reported. The medically more significant effects are a dramatic reduction in comorbid conditions:

• Hyperlipidemia is corrected in over 70% of patients.
• Essential hypertension is relieved in over 70% of patients, and medication requirements are usually reduced in the remainder.
• Obstructive sleep apnea is markedly improved with weight loss and bariatric surgery may be curative for sleep apnea. Snoring also improves in most patients.
• Type 2 diabetes is reversed in up to 90% of patients usually leading to a normal blood sugar without medication, sometimes within days of surgery.
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease is relieved in almost all patients.
• Venous thromboembolic disease signs such as leg swelling are typically alleviated.
• Lower back pain and joint pain are typically relieved or improved in nearly all patients.

A study in a large comparative series of patients showed an 89% reduction in mortality over the five years following surgery, compared to a non-surgically treated group of patients.

Concurrently, most patients are able to enjoy greater participation in family and social activities.