Surgery Results
Weight Loss
In general, success after any operation for morbid obesity is defined as loss of at least 50% of a persons’s excess body weight, and maintain that weight loss for a period of at least 5 years.
After the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass operation, patients typically experience rapid and progressive weight loss for the first 12 to 18 months after surgery. Patients may lose up to 50% of their excess weight in the first 6 months, and up to 77% after 18 to 24 months. Patients with higher initial BMI’s tend to lose more weight, while patients with lower initial BMI’s tend to lose a greater percentage of their initial excess weight. After two years, weight loss usually plateaus. Studies have shown that long-term excess weight loss remains up to 60% at 10-14 years after surgery.
Health Benefits
Sustained loss of excess body weight is not the only benefit of gastric bypass operation. Numerous studies have shown improvement or resolution of many of the co-morbidities that are commonly associated with obesity. For example, many people who are morbidly obese also require treatment for high blood pressure, diabetes or sleep apnea associated with obesity. With weight loss after gastric bypass surgery, most of these patients are able to reduce or even eliminate the medicines they require for these conditions.
Quality of Life
Weight loss with gastric bypass operation also results in improvements in patient quality of life. Numerous studies have shown improvements in mood, body image, physical functioning, and general health in patients who have achieved sustained weight loss after gastric bypass surgery.
If you or someone you love is morbidly obese, please call us at (828) 327-9178 to get a full assessment of your condition. Weight loss surgery may be an option for you.
