It’s January, and your bathroom scale, or the holes in your belt, may be sending you a loud message that it’s time to get serious about weight loss. While there are many approaches to shedding some pounds, including the new GLP-1 medications, for many individuals, especially those with a BMI over 30, bariatric surgery may still be the way to go.
According to Dr. Catherine Beck, medical director of the Bariatric Surgery program at CommonSpirit’s Holy Cross Hospital – Jordan Valley, bariatric surgery has a proven track record of being an effective, sustainable approach to obesity-related health conditions.
“While GLP-1 drugs and other weight loss medications are part of a treatment plan for many patients, they do not replace bariatric surgery," Dr. Beck says. "They do not provide the same amount of weight loss as surgery. They must be taken weekly for an extended period of time - years and maybe even decades. Many patients also do not tolerate their side effects. It is vital for patients to speak to a provider who can discuss all their possible treatment options, both medically and surgically."
Bariatric surgery is recommended for individuals with a BMI over 35, regardless of whether they have other obesity-related health issues. Weight-loss surgery is also considered for those with a BMI of 30 to 34.9 who have metabolic diseases like type 2 diabetes that aren't well-controlled with other treatments.
What is Bariatric Surgery?
Bariatric surgery is a medical procedure for significant weight loss that involves making changes to your digestive system, usually by reducing the size of your stomach and/or rerouting your small intestine. This helps you feel full faster, eat less food, and sometimes absorb fewer calories, leading to substantial and lasting weight loss, particularly for individuals with severe obesity or obesity-related health problems that haven't improved with other methods.
Bariatric surgery typically leads to significantly more weight loss than medications. Patients can lose an average of 25-35% of their initial body weight, or 60-80% of excess body weight. Some studies show even higher excess weight loss percentages for specific surgical procedures. In contrast, popular GLP-1 medications typically result in 10-21% initial body weight loss.
Dr. Maya El Ghouayel, a bariatric surgeon at Holy Cross Hospital – Salt Lake, says weight-loss obtained through bariatric surgery tends to be more sustainable.
“Long-term studies have shown that bariatric surgery patients tend to maintain their weight loss for many years," Dr. El Ghouayel says. "Weight gain is common if weight loss medications are stopped.”
The Benefits of Bariatric Surgery
Bariatric surgery often leads to dramatic improvements in or even resolution of obesity-related conditions such as type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. It can even reduce the risk of heart disease, strokes, and certain types of cancer.
Dr Beck encourages patients to seek treatment from a qualified provider who can treat patients both medically and surgically for their weight and weight-related issues. Furthermore, patients should find an experienced provider who is associated with an accredited center, such as Holy Cross Hospital – Jordan Valley and Holy Cross Hospital – Salt Lake, which are accredited medical and surgical weight loss centers by the MBSAQIP, Aetna Institute of Quality and Blue Cross Blue Distinction centers. Jordan Valley is also designated as a Surgical Quality Partner by the American College of Surgeons.
For more information, visit our bariatric surgery sites for Jordan Valley and Salt Lake.
