Obesity comes at a cost, and many of us wake up to pay the bill every day. While superficial concerns may be the main reasons why people worry about their weight, the effects on your health can be just as grave.
Obesity is the number one risk factor for type 2 diabetes, while also contributing to gestational and prediabetes, it causes insulin resistance and reduces the body’s ability to effectively absorb insulin. The National Cancer Institute also links it to a higher risk for several types of cancer from thyroid, to kidney to colon. Hypertension, gallbladder disease, lower back pain and heart disease are just some of the other factors that obesity can put you at risk for.
For those of us in danger of experiencing any of these effects, weight loss is a necessity. Bariatric surgery is fast becoming one of the quickest and easiest ways of ensuring you achieve your weight loss goals, and brings several health benefits with it. We’ve detailed some of them here.
Management and Remission of Type 2 Diabetes
One of the biggest acknowledged successes of bariatric surgery is its effectiveness in dealing with this dangerous form of the illness. For many it even results in completely restoring blood sugar back to normal levels. A long term study has shown that out of 400 people suffering from type 2 diabetes, a staggering 62% showed no signs of the illness 6 years after undergoing bariatric surgery. Allowing patients to forego insulin and other related treatments associated.
Significant Changes in Long-term Blood Pressure
A 2006, University of Pittsburgh study shows that the substantial amounts of weight lost after gastric bypass surgery can result in great in their blood pressure over the course of years.
In the study at least half of participants were at risk for hypertension (high blood pressure), following the surgery at least a third of these people were able to function perfectly without any blood pressure medication whatsoever. Those that weren’t taking any medication before their surgery saw their blood pressure significantly lowered even 18 months after the surgery, suggesting long-lasting effects.
Relief from Back and Joint Pain
The more weight you carry daily, the more pressure you put on your back, spine and joints. This can cause massive wear and tear on your cartilage; flatten the vertebral bones in your back causing constant pain. Obesity can warp the natural curve of your spine and pull your pelvis forward.
The massive weight loss benefits of bariatric surgery can greatly reduce the stress you carry on a daily basis. By removing a majority of the load from critical areas, you can avoid the need for future joint replacements or spinal surgery, keeping your muscles and bones in far healthier condition.
Reducing the Risk of Heart Failure
The American Heart Association has found that massive weight loss procedures including bariatric surgery can be a vital safeguard against heart failure.
Testing a group of weight loss surgery patients against another group undertaking an extreme fitness lifestyle, results taken 4 years after the surgery showed that the patients had a 50% lower chance of heart failure. While rates for heart attack and death were similar in both groups, the group of bariatric surgery patients was also found to have lower risks of diabetes and hypertension.
Your Health is in your Hands
It’s never too late to make the change you’ve feared. As our list shows, bariatric surgery can often reduce or even completely cure the symptoms of many life-altering diseases. So for those of you just starting to experience the many health issues that may accompany obesity, reclaim your health and start researching bariatric surgery today.
