Obesity is now recognized as a serious medical problem that contributes to nearly 300,000 deaths each year in the United States. When other weight loss methods have failed, gastric bypass surgery for obesity can be a valuable tool for helping patients to improve their overall physical health. The procedure aids weight loss by reducing the functional portion of a patient's stomach to help him or her feel full after eating only a small portion of food.Obesity-Related Heath Problems
Gastric bypass surgery for obesity can help patients who suffer from hypertension. Obese adult Americans have a five to six times greater risk of developing hypertension compared to individuals who maintain a healthy body weight. Over 75 percent of all hypertension cases are directly linked to obesity. After having gastric bypass surgery for obesity, nearly 80 percent of patients with hypertension no longer need to take their medication.
Gastric bypass surgery for obesity can help patients who suffer from adult onset diabetes. Up to 90 percent of people with this disease can be classified as either obese or overweight. Obesity makes it harder for patients to manage their diabetes by increasing insulin resistance and glucose intolerance.
Gastric bypass surgery for obesity can help patients who suffer from cardiovascular disease. Losing just five to 10 percent of your excess body weight can reduce total blood cholesterol. Patients who have gastric bypass surgery improve their blood lipid levels by lowering triglycerides and LDL cholesterol as they increase HDL cholesterol. The American Heart Association reports that morbid obesity is also a significant risk factor for heart attack, which is one more reason to give gastric bypass surgery serious consideration.
