Study shows these two tested weight loss surgeries are equally safe

According to the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, there were 160,609 gastric sleeve surgeries and 62,097 Roux-en-y gastric bypass procedures in 2020. The ASMBS/IFSO Guidelines now say that the procedures are for anyone with a BMI of 35 or more “regardless of presence, absence, or severity of obesity-related conditions” and that they be considered for people with a BMI 30-34.9 and metabolic disease [like Type 2 diabetes], and in “appropriately selected children and adolescents.”

But many folks are hesitant to have weight-loss surgery, despite the fact that around 80% of folks who lose significant weight by dieting regain more than half of what’s lost within two years. With these surgeries, around a third of patients regain some weight after 10 years. The key to maintaining weight loss post-surgery is to make lifestyle changes, including regularly doing resistance exercises; improving your food choices, amounts, and timing; and taking some vitamin supplements.

Another bonus: The procedures have few complications in the month after surgery, according to a study in JAMA Network Open. Other studies show that 90% of individuals who undergo either form of bariatric surgery achieve a longterm weight loss of at least 50% of their excess body weight.

So, discuss the pros and cons of each surgery and having surgery versus taking GLP-1 and GIP weight-loss drugs (required for a lifetime) with your doctor. If you do have a surgical procedure, ask Empowering America for healthy living

about bariatric multi-vitamin/minerals.

Dr. Mike Roizen is the founder of longevityplaybook.com, and Dr. Mehmet Oz is global advisor to iherb.com, the world’s leading online health store. Roizen and Oz are chief wellness officer emeritus at Cleveland Clinic and professor emeritus at Columbia University, respectively. Together they have written 11 New York Times bestsellers (four No. 1’s).