Most decisions to get bariatric surgery are motivated first and foremost by the goal to lose excess weight and keep it off. And while that’s a valid reason to opt for weight loss surgery in and of itself, it’s only a piece of the bigger picture of what the operation and resulting weight loss can do for your whole health — long term.
We’re here to let you in on seven lesser-known ways that bariatric surgery can improve your life by positively impacting how your body, mind and spirit function.
1. Improved Heart Health
Losing weight after bariatric surgery can improve your heart health by reducing your risk of coronary heart disease, stroke and peripheral heart disease. Blood pressure and cholesterol levels can return to normal or near normal after surgery, reducing these risks and improving your whole health.
2. Joint Pain Relief
Carrying excess weight stresses your weight-bearing joints, which make chronic pain and joint damage common complications. Meaningful long-term weight loss that occurs after bariatric surgery relieves the strain on your joints, allowing you to enjoy joint pain relief, better mobility and increased energy levels.
3. Type 2 Diabetes Management
Significant weight loss can help your body function more smoothly, including better control over your blood sugar levels. Following bariatric surgery, you might be able to decrease your diabetes medication by half or stop taking it altogether (with your doctor’s support). Research shows that bariatric surgery can lead to long-term remission of Type 2 diabetes, allowing many patients to live insulin-free.
4. Increased Physical Fitness
Losing excess weight makes it easier to be physically active and get into an exercise routine that works for you. In turn, the combination of increased physical activity and weight loss improves the body’s ability to burn fat. You might notice your muscles feel stronger and that you have more endurance.
5. Better Sleep Quality
When you lose weight, the first place you usually notice it is in your face and neck, which helps the air flow more freely throughout your body. Achieving and maintaining a normal weight can allow those with sleep apnea to stop using their CPAP machine at night. About 80 to 85% of patients experience remission of their sleep apnea a year after weight loss surgery. And better sleep equates to more energy, enhanced mood, improved health and a brighter outlook on life.
6. Enhanced Mental Health
Bariatric surgery can lead to better mental health. Overweight or obese individuals often feel depressed because of poor body image and social stigma surrounding weight. Even younger people who carry excess weight find it difficult to participate in social activities they might otherwise enjoy, leading to isolation and depression. Losing the excess weight can lift the spirits of these patients by increasing confidence and emotional health and decreasing symptoms of depression and anxiety.
7. Quality Interpersonal Relationships
A defining factor to the state of our physical, mental and spiritual health that many overlook is the existence and quality of our interpersonal relationships. Because of increased confidence, enhanced body image and more willingness to join in social situations, weight loss surgery patients might find an opening to more and better-quality relationships — which can also lead to an enhanced overall quality of life and sense of belonging.
Start Your Weight Loss Journey With Our Bariatric Experts
At AdventHealth, we know that diet and exercise alone often aren’t enough to get you where you want to be. That’s why our weight loss solutions go beyond the scale to help you build a healthier body, mind and spirit.
When you’re ready to make a lasting, meaningful change, our caring team is ready to help you get started. Learn more at AdventHealthWeightLoss.com. You deserve to feel whole.
