The benefits of bariatric surgery
With all the good news about new weight-loss medications, bariatric surgeries decreased by around 25% in 2024, according to a Harvard University study. But for severely obese patients or those who cannot tolerate the oral medications, weight-loss surgery offers a life-saving alternative.
According to a study in JAMA Network Open that used data on over 250,000 men and women who had Roux-en-Y gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy, the procedures lowered the patients' risk for Type 2 diabetes by almost 80%; high blood pressure by about 58%, elevated lipid levels by 50%, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (MASLD) by 40% compared to folks who followed a standard weight management program.
Another study, published in 2023, found that after bariatric surgery, most folks with diabetes, hyperlipidemia, high blood pressure, and obstructive sleep apnea saw their symptoms improve or resolve completely.
If you aren't a candidate for GLP-1s and other weight-loss medications, talk to your doctor about surgical options that could transform your future, including:
-- Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. It creates a small pouch at the top of the stomach, limiting what you can eat and drink at any one time. Nutritional deficits can occur.
-- Sleeve gastrectomy. It removes part of the stomach; the remaining section is formed into a tubelike structure. You can eat less and you produce less of the "feed-me" hormone ghrelin. The procedure doesn't negatively impact the absorption of nutrients.
-- Plus, for help adopting a healthy post-surgical lifestyle, sign up for the free newsletter at 4YOUngevity.com and check out the recipes in my "What to Eat When Cookbook."
Health pioneer Michael Roizen, M.D., is chief wellness officer emeritus at the Cleveland Clinic and author of four No. 1 New York Times bestsellers. Check out his latest, "The Great Age Reboot: Cracking the Longevity Code for a Younger Tomorrow," and find out more at www.4YOUngevity.com. Email your health and wellness questions to Dr. Mike at questions@4YOUngevity.com.
(c)2023 Michael Roizen, M.D.
Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
(c) 2025 Michael Roizen, M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
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