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.
Read more about this topic: Gastric Bypass Surgery
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