Bariatric Surgery proves successful for Obese Individuals

For many Americans who are severely obese, bariatric surgery can offer an effective way to lose weight. It can also help reduce blood sugar, cholesterol levels and blood pressure. A new study examined outcomes for severely obese individuals three years after undergoing two common gastric bypass procedures. “We’ve confirmed improvements in weight and health after bariatric surgery in a very large group of carefully studied people at many geographically diverse centers in the United States.” Dr. Anita Courcoulas and co-authors examined data from more than 2,400 people, after undergoing either the gastric bypass or laparoscopic banding. “There is substantial weight loss after bariatric surgery both gastric bypass and the band procedure and that that weight loss and health improvements are sustained at three years.” The study appears in the Journal of the American Medical Association.