Considering Weight Loss Surgery?
Why Consider Weight Loss Surgery?
Weight Loss Surgery is a proven method to treat Obesity. It has now become the most common type of abdominal surgery performed in Australia and in most countries around the world.
More than 28,000 patients undergo Weight Loss Surgery in Australia every year. In Queensland Weight Loss Surgery is now more commonly performed than gallbladder surgery.
Thousands of Scientific research papers and journal articles have been published regarding:
- The proven benefits of Obesity surgery
- How Obesity surgery can prevent patients developing serious weight related medical problems (such as type 2 diabetes)
- How Weight Loss Surgery can improve or cure many weight related medical problems
- How Obesity Surgery can improve patients quality of life and life expectancy
With its health benefits now well established, Weight Loss Surgery is endorsed by many different International Medical Federations, including the International Diabetic Federation.
Published Scientific Evidence on Bariatric Surgery
With the overwhelming benefit of Weight Loss Surgery on Diabetes now well proven, The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) published a Position statement on Bariatric Surgery for Type 2 Diabetes.
The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) found the following results following Obesity Surgery:
- Bariatric surgery is an appropriate treatment for people with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (DM) and severe obesity BMI>35.
- Surgery should be prioritized for severely Obese patients with Type 2 DM.
- Under some circumstances people with BMI 30-35 should be considered for surgery (HbA1c>7.5% despite fully optimized conventional therapy, especially if weight increasing, or if other weight related co-morbidities not achieving targets on conventional therapies ie: BP, cholesterol, sleep apnoea).
- Some ethnicities, a lower BMI of 27.5 - 32.5 may be considered
- Surgery to be integrated as treatment option for Type 2 DM along with lifestyle modification and pharmacological therapy
The Swedish Obese Subjects Trial (SOS) found the following results following Obesity Surgery:
The Swedish Obese Subjects Trial (SOS) was one of the largest trials comparing Surgical and Non-Surgical treatments for Obesity, with 4047 patients studied in a controlled trial with an average follow-up >10 yrs.
| Surgical Group | Non-Surgical Group |
|---|---|
| Weight decreased 23% at 2 years | Weight increased 0.1% at 2 years |
| Weight decreased 16% at 10 years | Weight increased 1.6% at 10 years |
| Energy intake lower | |
| Physical energy higher | |
| Reduced incidence Diabetes, Hypertension & Hypercholesterolaemia | |
| Reduced medications and cost of medications | |
| Better scores on quality of life (QOL) | |
| Psychiatric assessment |
Bariatric Surgery - A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis:
In 2004, ‘Bariatric Surgery - A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis’ was published (JAMA 2004;292:1724), which summarized 136 studies on Weight Loss Surgery and examined more than 22,000 patients.
In summary, this meta-analysis examined the effect of Weight Loss Surgery on the co-morbidities associated with Obesity and found that Weight Loss Surgery was associated with significant cure or improvement in Diabetes, Hypertension, Hyperlipidemia, Sleep Apnoea, Reflux, and Urinary Incontinence.
Meta-Analysis Found Significant Improvements in Health After Weight Loss Surgery:
| MEDICAL CONDITION | % RESOLVED | % IMPROVED |
|---|---|---|
| Diabetes | 77% | 86% |
| Hypertension | 62% | 79% |
| Hyperlipidemia | >70% | |
| Obstructive Sleep Apnoea | 86% | 84% |
| Gastroesphageal Reflux | ||
| Urinary Stress Incontinence | Decreased by 47% |
The Bariatric Meta- Analysis research also proved the following results following Weight Loss Surgery:
- Reduces overall and cause-specific mortality
- Reduces medication costs
- Reduces sick days
- Improves Quality of Life
- Benefits strongest in BMI >40
- 61% mean overall EWL (excess weight loss)
- Greatest weight loss with Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass
- Overall mortality < 1%
- Morbidity approx. 20%
Systematic Review of long term Weight Loss studies in Obese Adults found the following results:
| Weight Loss | Duration of Follow-up | |
|---|---|---|
| Diet and Lifestyle | <5 kg | 2-4 years |
| Drug therapy | 5-10 kg | 1-2 years |
| Surgery | 25-75 kg | 2-4 years |
Douketis JD, et al, Systematic review of long-term weight loss studies in obese adults: clinical significance and applicability to clinical practice. International Journal of Obesity 2005; 29:1153-67
Is Weight Loss Surgery Right For Me?
Bariatric Surgery has been proven to be effective treatment for Obesity
Weight Loss (Bariatric) Surgery is the only proven long-term effective treatment for those individuals suffering from Obesity or long-term excess weight issues.
If you are morbidly obese, overweight by more than 20-30 kilograms, or have battled Obesity for many years, Weight Loss Surgery may be the solution you have been looking for.
Weight Loss (Bariatric) Surgery can facilitate weight loss and improve the overall quality of your life. It can improve and prevent weight related medical conditions as well as increase your life expectancy.
Dr Hatzifotis and his multi-disciplinary team at Surgery Brisbane recommend Weight Loss (Bariatric) Surgery to be combined with a healthy diet and physical activity to maintain a healthy life.
Surgery Brisbane offer a Health Management Program to help you manage life following surgery and support you through your weight loss journey.
Read more about our Health Management Program.
