5 Common Questions (and Answers) About Bariatric Surgery

A: Unlike dieting, bariatric surgery physically changes the digestive tract. These changes may limit how much food you eat or how many calories are absorbed. The body’s ability to burn calories decreases in people who lose weight by dieting. But it’s maintained or increased after bariatric surgery.

Plus, “Bariatric surgery boosts the production of hormones that help curb hunger, reduce appetite and promote a sense of fullness,” explains Dr. Seetahal.

A: Some people mistakenly believe bariatric surgery is a one-and-done solution to weight loss, but that’s not the case. For the best long-term results, you still need to make healthy lifestyle choices after surgery. That includes eating healthfully each day, getting plenty of protein and being physically active.

A: The risk of dying from the surgery itself is quite low — lower than for gallbladder surgery, for example. Yet, the long-term health benefits are positively life-changing.

“Generally speaking, bariatric patients live longer than people with severe obesity who don’t get the surgery, and I always help patients assess the potential risks and benefits for their personal situation,” says Dr. Seetahal.

A: Obesity-related health conditions — such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease — often improve after bariatric surgery. As a result, some people can reduce or stop their medications. But you should only make such changes after discussing them with your doctor.

A: Weight loss varies from person to person. However, most bariatric patients maintain a long-term weight loss that’s half or more of their excess weight. This significant, lasting weight loss is very different from prior results with dieting.