Improving Co-morbidities with Weight Loss Surgery

It is well known that obesity, especially morbid obesity facilitates the development of many severe weight related medical conditions. We talk about morbid obesity when someone's BMI (body mass index) in 40 or higher. The ensemble of weight related illnesses are called co-morbidities.

Here you will find some of these obesity related co-morbidities:

• High levels of cholesterol
• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Diabetes (type 2)
• Obstructive sleep apnea
• Stroke
• Heart conditions (congestive heart failure, heart attack, abnormal rhythm, heartburn)
• Gout
• Gallstones
• Gallbladder disorder
• Infertility (PCOS)
• Osteoarthritis
• Pregnancy complications, birth defects
• Depression, other psychological disorders

There is evidence, which proves direct correlation between high body mass index and the above-mentioned co-morbidities. This way it is obvious that if the body mass index decreases due to surgical weight loss procedures such as the adjustable gastric banding, gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, gastric imbrication, these co-morbitities are likely to improve.

Type 2 diabetes for instance almost immediately after undergoing gastric bypass surgery is eliminated. Regardless of the procedure one chooses, the cholesterol level decreases soon after the weight loss surgery is performed and so does the high blood pressure. Female patients suffering from PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome causing infertility) will have their ovulation and fertility restored after bariatric surgery. Patients suffering from obstructive sleep apnea experienced significant improvement as well.

If you are morbidly obese and suffer from one or more of the above mentioned weight related medical conditions and you have tried and failed traditional weight loss methods you should consider surgical weight loss options and consult a bariatric surgeon.

Bariatric surgery, like any other surgery has its own risks and complications during surgery might occur. If you follow the guidelines of the bariatric team and your weight loss surgeon these risks can be significantly decreased. In order to maintain the results the procedure provides for the long-term permanent lifestyle changes are mandatory.

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