It used to be that “stomach stapling” was a rare and extreme response to dangerous cases of obesity.

But as more long-term data become available about the generally positive outcomes for bariatric surgeries, more consumers are opting for these procedures than for any other non-cosmetic elective surgery.

With most of us normally so reluctant to go under the knife, what’s driving the popularity of bariatric procedures? Quite simply, as an investment in health, they offer a very high return.

Follow-up research on patients of earlier bariatric surgeries is showing that the prospects for long-term weight loss are better than with any other mode of treatment for seriously overweight people, those classified as “morbidly obese.”

The data also show that post-operative health outcomes for patients of bariatric surgery are remarkably good, with major improvements in diabetes, cardio-vascular health, musculoskeletal conditions and sleep disorders.

But perhaps the most important outcome shown is that these health improvements are lasting, specifically because patients of bariatric surgery have excellent chances of maintaining a much lower, much healthier weight for years to come.

According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, “bariatric surgery offers the best treatment to produce sustained weight loss in patients who are morbidly obese.”

That assessment has been borne out by the statistics. The maximum weight loss is usually reached between 18 and 24 months after their surgery. The amount of weight lost tends to vary a little between the various procedures, but on an average, a loss of 60 percent of the excess weight was still maintained at five years after the surgery.

One study of over 600 patients reported that an average of 50 percent of the excess weight lost was still maintained at 14 years after the surgery. The numbers for weight loss maintenance in other treatment approaches come nowhere near these rates.

Roughly speaking, the “morbidly obese” are those defined as being 100 pounds overweight, or with a body mass index (BMI) of 39 or more. A score of 35 or more is used for those who already have associated health problems, such as diabetes or heart disease.

Also referred to as “clinically severe obesity,” it’s a condition that presently affects about six million Americans. And for these people, the risks associated with remaining overweight are simply much greater than the risks of going under the knife.

People at lower BMIs typically are not considered as candidates for bariatric surgery bariatric surgery without extenuating circumstances.

And sometimes people above a BMI of 40 are not considered because of other factors. Certain psychological conditions might preclude an individual’s candidacy, or an inability to commit to lifestyle changes necessary for weight maintenance.

For instance, people who consume lots of sweets and high-fat junk foods and who don’t really plan to give them up, won’t get the lasting improvements they want from the surgery.

And there are some patients who have delicate health complications such that they may have to lose weight in a supervised program before undergoing the surgery.

With rates for complications below 2 percent and mortality of less than one-half a percent, bariatrics surgeries have proven, safety-wise, to be comparable to other elective procedures, and far less risky than the heart bypass operations that are so common today.

That’s a remarkably low incidence of post-operative complications, particularly considering that the general health in this patient population is highly compromised by their excess weight to begin with.

Yet even as new techniques are developed that improve the safety and efficacy of bariatric procedures—and minimize some of their unpleasant side effects—experts worry that the public will get the idea that these are routine surgeries that offer a silver bullet solution to the problems of the gravely obese.

Surgery is a complex and demanding procedure for both the doctor and the patient, and like any surgery, it shouldn’t be taken lightly. Most bariatric surgery specialists will not agree to perform a bariatric procedure on a patient who hasn’t already demonstrated a concerted effort to get rid of some of their excess through more conventional weight-loss methods.

Surgical preparation usually includes weight loss and conditioning for the patient immediately before the operation, and then there is a lot of lifestyle and maintenance work afterwards.

That’s the investment. The return? Early death related to weight decreases markedly, and aside from the other specific medical improvements, studies also show that bariatric surgery patients get improved mobility and stamina, better mood and self-esteem, improvements in social interactivity and interpersonal effectiveness. And for overall quality of life, that means a real long-term gain.

THROUGH THICK & THIN: Bariatric Surgery
Bariatric surgery is remarkably effective, but it’s no silver bullet. Before seeking a bariatric surgeon, consider getting counseling to help establish whether you have the commitment and the support system in place to make the lifestyle changes you’ll need to make the surgery successful over the long haul.