For severely overweight individuals that have failed to see
results from diet and exercise alone, weight-loss surgery has become the safest
and most effective means of achieving significant weight loss. In fact, studies
have shown that with diet and exercise alone, nearly 95% of obese patients will
gain all the lost weight back within 5 years. On the other hand, long-term
success rates for weight-loss surgery - including the LAP-BAND procedure - are
remarkably high, allowing patients to maintain a loss of between 50-70% of
their excess body weight. Though there are many factors that can impact an
individual patient's weight-loss success, weight-loss surgery is simply the
most effective long-term weight loss and healthy lifestyle solution for
severely obese patients.
Studies show that most patients that undergo weight-loss
surgery will lose between 50-70% of their excess body weight within the first
three years following their procedure. Those that undergo gastric bypass
surgery will lose excess body weight more rapidly in the first 12 months than
those that choose LAP-BAND surgery. However, gastric bypass patients typically
experience a greater number of complications and side effects than LAP-BAND
patients, as the LAP-BAND procedure allows for more gradual and natural
long-term weight loss.
From a clinical perspective, a weight-loss surgery is
considered successful when the patient loses at least 50% of their excess body
weight and keeps the weight off for at least five years. While important
lifestyle changes need to be made to ensure that the weight loss is maintained
in the long term, studies have shown that most weight loss surgery patients are
able to maintain a 50-60% loss of excess body weight 10 years after the
surgical procedure. However, it is important to note that a weight loss of just
10% of total body weight can begin to have positive health effects in
resolution of obesity-related condition like asthma, gastric reflux (GERD), and
diabetes. As weight-loss surgery is usually performed on patients that are at
least 75-100 pounds overweight or have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of at least 35
with a health condition, overall weight loss can range anywhere from 40 pounds
to over 100 pounds. But the patient is really the leader behind achieving these
results.
While patients will certainly look and feel better after
weight-loss surgery, there is also numerous health benefits associated with
successful weight loss. In most cases, health conditions that develop as a
result of excessive body weight or are worsened by obesity can be improved upon
or, in some cases, remedied by weight-loss surgery.
But there are other ways to measuring success with
weight-loss surgery, like the LAP-BAND System. For instance, many weight loss
surgery patients take great pride in being able to perform certain activities
that may not have been possible for a number of years, like crossing their
legs, bending over to tie a show, walking up stairs without being easily winded
or sitting comfortably in an airplane seat.
While most patients that undergo weight-loss surgery
experience incredibly positive results, there are many factors that can impact
the overall success of an individual patient's procedure and follow-up treatment.
Here are some important factors to consider as you try to determine whether
weight loss surgery is right for you.
Pre-surgery Weight
Generally speaking, the higher a patient's pre-surgery
weight or BMI, the more excess weight the patient can lose after surgery.
However, recipients of weight-loss surgery with less excess body weight will
eventually come closer to their ideal weight loss when committed to long-term diet
and exercise. Also, resolution or improvement in obesity-related diseases can
occur with even moderate amounts of weight. Often many diseases can become
closer to cured than improved with earlier intervention at a lower weight.
Overall Health
While pre-existing health conditions can impact the overall
success of weight-loss surgery (for instance, patients with type 2 Diabetes
typically lose less excess body weight after surgery), studies have shown that
many ailments linked to obesity are either improved upon or fall into remission
after a successful procedure. For instance, a 2000 study performed on 500
weight loss surgery patients showed that nearly 96% of health conditions
associated with obesity - such as high blood pressure, depression, sleep apnea,
back pain and diabetes - improved greatly following loss of excess weight and
long-term commitment to diet and exercise.
Surgical Procedure
As there are potential risks and complications associated
with any surgical procedure, potential patients should always seek to have
their weight-loss surgery performed by a trusted medical staff. Prospective
patients should inquire about their surgeon's success rates with weight-loss
surgery and listen to the experiences of former patients. Additionally, a
patient's weight-loss success may also be impacted by the quality of
post-surgery care and counseling provided by their bariatric outpatient
facility.
Diet and Exercise
As diet and exercise are two of the most important factors
in any weight loss plan, patients with the physical ability to exercise after
weight-loss surgery have increased chances of meeting their goals. To maintain
the weight loss achieved by surgery, both exercise and healthy eating habits
must become integral parts of a patient's lifestyle.
Commitment
The ability to remain committed to suggested dietary
guidelines, exercise regimens and any follow-up care recommended by the
bariatric outpatient facility is important for both short-term weight loss and
long-term weight management.
Motivation
Patients that are motivated to lose weight and willing to
follow through with diet and exercise prior to receiving weight loss surgery
may experience greater levels of success immediately following the procedure
and in the long term. Most people did not find themselves severely obese
overnight. It took years to reach that weight and therefore patients should be
patient with the weight-loss process, which will also not occur overnight.
Successful patients find small victories along the way to celebrate and stay
motivated.
Support
As weight-loss surgery will require some time away from
everyday activities, it is important to have the support of family, friends and
coworkers before undergoing any surgical procedure. Furthermore, as the ongoing
weight-loss process following bariatric surgery may require a certain level of
emotional support, prospective patients may want to establish a support network
- including friends and family members that can join in on exercise and healthy
eating.
Considering that significant weight loss can not only remedy
many health concerns, but also improve an individual's quality of life, the
potential benefits of weight-loss surgery are plentiful. For severely
overweight individuals that are unable to lose weight via diet and exercise
alone, weight-loss surgery is the most effective method of losing weight - and
keeping the weight off.
