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Many Quality Of Life Improvements Come After Weight Loss Surgery

Having obesity can carry a variety of challenges in addition to the weight itself, including weight-related diseases, higher medication costs, and even depression. Patients with obesity and related chronic diseases find significant improvements to their quality of life after bariatric surgery.

Medications are absorbed differently and often needed less after weight loss surgery, according to the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS).

Following weight loss, it’s important to keep close contact with both your surgeon and your primary care provider to ensure you are taking the right medications for your current weight and health status. Since everyone’s body is different and reacts differently to surgery, you will be closely monitored following your procedure.

Weight loss surgery has shown to improve or resolve many conditions related to obesity, including diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, fatty liver disease, and sleep apnea. The long-term benefits can include a reduced risk of heart attack, stroke, and heart failure. Improving or eliminating these chronic conditions will depend on your age, initial weight, rate of weight loss, and other factors.

The overall complications of weight loss surgery are the same or lower as other common surgical procedures, but with significant long-term health benefits. The risks of weight loss surgery could include bleeding, infections, or blood clots, while long-term risks could include nutritional deficiencies, gallstones, ulcers, or weight regain. There are many ways you, along with the support of your team of surgeons and physicians, can reduce these risks.

We support your weight loss journey from the start with personalized nutritional counseling, psychological evaluations, and careful management of existing health conditions to ensure you're fully prepared for surgery. After surgery, our team provides ongoing care through regular lab testing to check for nutrient deficiencies and continued dietary support to help you stay on track.

Success after bariatric surgery depends on long-term habits. We guide you in prioritizing protein intake, taking necessary supplements, and adopting lasting behavioral changes to maintain your health and prevent complications.

Many studies have found that people with obesity who undergo weight loss surgery significantly increase their life expectancy and improve their quality of life compared to those who do not have surgery. One study reported an 89% reduction in mortality rates in the five years following bariatric surgery. Another study showed a greater than 90% decrease in mortality rates in patients with diabetes, and greater than 50% decrease in patients with heart disease. Additionally, a five-year study from the Cleveland Clinic found that surgical patients reported increased energy levels, physical functioning, and general health perception with a corresponding decrease in fatigue and pain.

There is a question about whether a patient who was obese and depressed started with the obesity causing the depression or the depression causing the obesity, according to the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC). Whichever it might be, obesity and depression are often linked. Weight loss surgery, however, has been shown to help ease depression in many patients by improving self-esteem and body image, social engagement, work productivity, and increasing mobility and physical endurance.

Bhavani Pokala, MD

Premier Weight Loss Solutions

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