Patient Information
Bariatric surgery can extend life expectancy
The benefits of weight loss surgery have been well established through many years of high level research where surgery is compared with nonsurgical methods of weight loss.
Morbid obesity is associated with major medical, physical and psychosocial problems. These include:
- Type 2 diabetes mellitus
- Hypertension
- High cholesterol
- Heart problems
- Obstructive sleep apnoea
- Orthopaedic joint and back problems
- Certain types of cancer
As a result, obese people have a shorter life expectancy. It has been calculated that a 20 year old man with a BMI of 40 untreated will have his life expectancy reduced by 17 years.
The benefits of weight loss surgery have been well established through many years of high level research where surgery is compared with nonsurgical methods of weight loss. This has proven that weight loss surgery can reverse the shorter life expectancy expected.
Reduced physical activity, social isolation, low self esteem and depression are other important problems potentially associated with obesity.
Quote – Weight loss is the body healing itself, inside and out, physically and mentally.
