Weight loss surgery benefits for obese and non-obese

While The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) establishes highly recommended eligibility criteria for weigh loss surgery, that includes the Body Mass Index (BMI) measure for obesity or severe obesity, should weight loss surgery be available to the non-obese with BMI’s below 35 and 30? The question is controversial because of the NICE guidelines aimed at protecting patients where weight loss surgery, such as gastric bypass surgery and gastric band surgery, may be inappropriate. This surgery obviously requires high standards of sterile services to ensure there is no infection.

Arguments in favour of weight loss surgery for obese and non-obese

People who may have a pre-disposition to obesity, such as young adults born to families where obesity is genetic or hereditary, may benefit from the surgery and lifestyle weight management programme. Weight loss surgery may therefore be used as an early intervention or preventative measure against severe health conditions like Type 2 Diabetes and High Blood Pressure that these people have a pre-disposition to.

Dr. Michel Murr, Director of Surgery at Tampa General Hospital in America reports that results of patients who have undergone gastric bypass surgery indicates dramatic reduction in their Type 2 Diabetes due to gastrointestinal hormonal and insulin production changes. Such surgeries may therefore benefit the overweight people with Type 2 Diabetes.

Weight-loss surgery for health gain

Besides weight loss and benefits for Type 2 Diabetes, gastic bypass surgery or “stomach stapling” alters food digestion and nutritional absorption. More info about weight loss on www.gastricbands.co.uk However, evidence does not suggest that all types of weight loss surgery have the same effect. For example, vertical sleeve gastrectomy does not impact hormonal function, digestion and nutritional absorption in the same way as gastric bypass surgery. Post-surgery complications and health problems if the post weight management programme and lifestyle changes are not implemented appropriately are risks. Clinical monitoring and support is necessary to ensure healthy weight loss and quality of life.

Benefits of weight loss surgery include not only reducing conditions such as diabetes, blood pressure and cholesterol, but also improves sleep patterns of those suffering sleep apnea and mobility of those with joint diseases. Done under proper sterile services guidelines this is an advantageous procedure. Other conditions like asthma, depression and migraine are also lessened for the benefit of patients. As  a result of such benefits, overweight patients are now also being considered as candidates for weight loss surgery if they have severe health conditions that will be reduced via such surgery.