Bariatric surgery has come a long way in the past 75 years. While the most noteworthy improvements have been in the safety and simplicity of current procedures and eliminating side effects and complications, the success rate of bariatric surgery has also improved. Today, the most widely performed procedure is sleeve gastrectomy, with Roux en Y gastric bypass and duodenal switch playing smaller roles. All are recognized for their efficacy in promoting significant and sustained weight loss in individuals with severe obesity. Let’s look at those success rates and some interesting data indicating a longevity advantage for those who undergo these procedures.
Success Rates of Bariatric Surgery
Success in bariatric surgery is typically measured in terms of weight loss and improvement in obesity-related comorbidities. A comprehensive review of the literature reveals high success rates for weight loss, improvement in associated health risks and life expectancy.
Weight Loss
Studies consistently report that patients lose between 50% to 70% of their excess body weight within the first two years post-surgery. For instance, the Swedish Obese Subjects (SOS) study, a landmark long-term study, found that patients maintained an average weight loss of 18% of their initial body weight even 10 years after surgery.
Comorbidity Improvement
Bariatric surgery has been shown to significantly improve or even resolve conditions such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, and hyperlipidemia. The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) reports that about 78% of patients see an improvement or remission of type 2 diabetes post-surgery.
Longevity Advantage
Beyond the immediate health benefits, bariatric surgery has been associated with an increased life expectancy. Several studies provide compelling evidence for the longevity advantage conferred by these procedures:
- Reduced Mortality: A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine followed 2,500 patients who underwent bariatric surgery and found a 40% reduction in mortality over a seven-year period compared to non-surgical controls. The causes of death that saw significant reductions included diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.
- Long-Term Survival: The SOS study mentioned earlier also indicated a notable survival benefit. The study found that after a median follow-up of 14.7 years, the overall mortality was significantly lower in the bariatric surgery group compared to the control group, with a hazard ratio of 0.76 (indicating a 24% reduction in the risk of death).
- Diabetes Remission and Survival: A meta-analysis by the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) found that bariatric surgery led to diabetes remission in a majority of patients, and those who achieved remission had a significantly lower risk of mortality compared to those who did not.
How Does Bariatric Surgery Contributing to Longevity?
The mechanisms by which bariatric surgery enhances longevity are varied.
- Sustained Weight Loss: The substantial and sustained weight loss reduces the strain on cardiovascular and metabolic systems, leading to a lower incidence of heart disease and stroke.
- Improvement in Metabolic Function: Bariatric surgery improves insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism, which is particularly beneficial for patients with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes, reducing their risk of diabetes-related complications and mortality .
- Reduction in Inflammation: Obesity is associated with chronic inflammation, which can contribute to a variety of diseases, including cancer. Weight loss post-surgery reduces inflammatory markers in the body, lowering cardiovascular and cancer risk
- Psychological and Lifestyle Changes: The improvement in physical health often translates to better psychological well-being and more active lifestyles, which further contribute to improved overall health and longevity.
The Takeaway
I tell my patients that weight-loss surgery is not perfect. There is still a lot we do not know about body weight control and all the individual and genetic differences that play a part. But bariatric surgery stands out as a highly effective intervention for severe obesity, offering not only significant weight loss and improvement in comorbid conditions but also a notable increase in longevity. The evidence underscores a substantial reduction in mortality and an enhancement in quality of life for those who undergo these procedures—in other words, the success rate is high. Bariatric surgery represents a pivotal option for patients struggling with the severe health impacts of obesity, providing them with a path to a healthier and potentially longer life.
If you’d like to learn more about bariatric surgery and how it can improve your life, the team here at Nevada Surgical is ready to help. Contact our team today to get started.
