Obesity is a leading contributor to health problems, chronic diseases, and massive healthcare costs in the nation. Most people don’t fully understand the health risks of being overweight. People can even be too obese to qualify for bariatric or weight loss surgery.
Surgical experts at Mexico Bariatric Center, such as Dr. Rodriguez Lopez, are capable of performing bariatric surgery in patients with a BMI of over 100.
As people’s Body Mass Index (BMI) climbs, so do health-related issues associated with obesity that reduces the quality of life and shortens it. Some of the major health problems include heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and even cancer. Morbidly obese patients also may be at a higher risk of surgical and anesthetic complications.
Negative Impacts of Obesity
- More risks and complications for patients
- More costly for healthcare
- More difficult for surgeons
Obesity Surgery Risks
Undergoing surgery is like fighting a battle within the body. Since patients are put to sleep and can’t feel a thing while they’re under anesthesiology, their body is exerting a ton of energy to overcome the procedure and recover.
One of the biggest concerns of being overweight is a condition called sleep apnea, a disorder that causes breathing to stop while sleeping. Sleep apnea can make general anesthesia much more dangerous.
Bariatric surgery risk factors:
- Weakens the Immune System – This increases the risk of infection and trouble with healing.
- Increases Clotting Risk – Clotting after surgery is very common in obese patients.
- Can Trigger Other Conditions – Those with other conditions, like heart disease, may trigger events and other issues as a result of those complications.
Surgeries are also more involved with obese patients, as finding the right areas for the target can be difficult (with fat cells, liver issues, and greater space between organs). Studies have shown that surgical complications can be as much as 12 times more common in obese patients.
Surgical Complications Associated with Obese Patients
Also, studies that have looked at the link between surgical outcome and BMI (Body Mass Index) have almost exclusively found that lower BMIs reduced operational risk.
- Studies on the surgical outcomes of patients that underwent elective spinal surgery found that those with a higher BMI were more likely to require further hospitalization, readmission, and more complications than those with a healthy BMI.
- Studies on those with endometrial cancer surgery found the same. Patients with a higher BMI were more likely to have mild, moderate, and severe complications during open surgery than those within the healthy range.
- Studies on those with end-stage renal disease found that complications were far more common in obese patients and that it may not be ideal for those with obesity to undergo surgery until they have been able to lose weight.
Research examining the correlation between body mass index (BMI) and surgical results has indicated that lower BMIs are associated with reduced complications. However, it is important to note that surgical outcomes and risks are multifactorial and not solely determined by BMI. Nevertheless, substantial evidence suggests that losing weight can enhance the likelihood of successful surgical outcomes.
Weight Loss Surgery for Future Healthy Outcomes
Weight loss surgery, known as bariatric surgery, was designed for those with obesity. As people get older, there is always a risk that they may need surgery – in a few days, months, years, or even decades. Indeed, even after bariatric surgery, they may want to consider a procedure known as a “body lift” to remove excess skin. According to research, the average person will require roughly ten surgeries in their lifetime.
Bariatric surgery procedures are specifically designed for obese individuals, and although all surgeries have risks, this type of surgery is known to be considered safe and efficient for high-risk patients.
But that key phrase – high risk – is necessary. Obesity has long been known to increase the risk of surgical complications.
Currently, no studies have looked specifically at future surgical outcomes after weight loss surgery, but there are correlations based on similar work. Some surgeries have pre-operative weight loss requirements that must be met before surgery can take place because complications among obese patients are well known.
Losing Weight for a Healthier Life
Bariatric surgery is aimed at improving an individual’s lifespan and overall quality of life. Its positive effects extend beyond the reduction of obesity-related diseases. One additional benefit of bariatric surgery is the improved safety it provides during other medical procedures. Weight loss surgery offers numerous advantages that directly affect people’s lives long-term.
Related Articles:
Leave A Comment