Life After Bariatric Surgery

Life After Bariatric Surgery

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Late last year, a group of researchers led by cardiologist Francisco Lopez-Jimenez, M.D., of the Mayo Clinic research team, presented their findings on the effects of bariatric surgery on morbidly obese heart failure patients. The study was presented at the American Heart Assoication's Scientific Sessions in Chicago. According to the study, morbidly obese heart failure patients stand to enjoy a better quality of life after the surgery. During the session, Dr. Jimenez explained that bariatric surgery could form part of the treatment of severely obese patients with heart failure as long as there are no major factors that render the performance of the surgery inadvisable. But considering that the study involved only a limited number of test subjects, the good doctor cautioned that the results should only be considered preliminary.

In any event, the researchers confirmed that the subjects who had undergone weight loss surgery reported a better quality of life after the surgery even if most of them remained obese. Compared to the severely obese patients with heart failure who had not undergone any kind of weight loss surgery, those who did reported improvements from symptoms such as swelling in the legs and labored breathing during strenuous activities. The results suggest that patients need not reach a certain weight before they can enjoy the benefits. The findings are important because a lot of cardiologists do not refer morbidly obese patients for bariatric surgery.

Obesity is a complication for patients with heart problems. The excess weight can cause heart failure, an irregular heart beat, or even death. The strain on the heart from the added weight could be too much for the heart to handle. Physical changes to the heart like an enlarged heart cavity can occur causing respiratory problems, chronic fatigue, and other conditions that could lead to a very serious heart problem or death.

Tests made on patients who have received bariatric surgical treatment did find themselves in a less stressful condition. This may be so because after the treatment and eventual weight loss, the heart had reverted from an excessively stressed condition to a more normal, healthy state. Results of an ultrasound test performed on the patients support these positive changes. It showed that the size of the right ventricle area has considerably returned to normal size. Other positive results suggest an over-all improvement in the patient's condition. Blood pressure is lower, heart rate is more normal, and cholesterol level is healthier.

In spite of these benefits, the number of extremely obese patients undergoing bariatric surgery remains low. Two of the reasons for this according to the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery are the expense of the surgery and the risks involved. This is considered an elective surgery, thus not covered by most health insurance plans. Nonetheless, when it comes to a question of preventing further suffering and risking heart failure, doctors as well as the patients should consider bariatric surgery.


About the Author:
If you are looking for surgical procedures to help you lose weight, bariatric surgery in Dallas might be just what you need. Contact your healthcare provider to help you find the best bariatric surgery Dallas specialists in your area.



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