BARIATRIC SERVICES ON THE WEST SIDE Bariatric Surgery: Weight loss plus 7 other benefits.

Bariatric surgery offers significant and sustained weight loss in obese people who have not achieved long-term success with other weight loss attempts. “Most weight loss occurs 12 to 16 months after bariatric surgery,” says Stacy Brethauer, MD, Director of Bariatric Surgery at Cleveland Clinic Fairview Hospital. “While most patients don’t become lean, most do reach their goals and become more active, take less medication, and enjoy a better quality of life.” Additional benefits include: 1. Long-term remission for type 2 diabetes. “A recent Cleveland Clinic study suggests that bariatric surgery is highly effective for obese patients with type 2 diabetes, allowing almost all patients to remain free of insulin and medications for at least three years post surgery,” says Dr. Brethauer. 2. Improved cardiovascular health. Blood pressure and cholesterol levels can return to normal or near normal after surgery, reducing the risk of coronary heart disease, stroke and peripheral heart disease. 3. Relief of depression and social isolation. Many obese people feel depressed because of poor body image and social stigma. Even younger people find it difficult to participate in activities they might otherwise enjoy. Losing this excess weight can improve their emotional well-being. 4. Eliminate obstructive sleep apnea. Achieving and sustaining a normal weight range often allows people with sleep apnea to stop using a CPAP machine at bedtime. 5. Joint pain relief. A healthy weight relieves the stress on joints and often allows people to stop using pain medications and enjoy much more mobility. 6. Improve fertility. Weight loss surgery can also improve fertility during childbearing years. 7. Alleviate other medical conditions. Weight loss surgery can alleviate metabolic syndrome, pregnancy complications, gallbladder disease and more.

“Surgery changes most patients’ lifestyle and behaviors,” says Dr. Brethauer. “It jumpstarts new behaviors that help people live healthier. Once they reach their goal after surgery, the majority of patients tell me there is no going back.” To ensure the best possible outcome, it’s important to choose a medical team with extensive experience in bariatric procedures. On the West Side, Cleveland Clinic Fairview Hospital offers surgical weightloss procedures, and the Richard E. Jacobs Health Center in Avon offers pre-op evaluation, post-op follow-up and other weight-loss support services.