Extensive research has shown that obesity increases your risk of numerous serious health issues. If you are unsure if you are at an increased risk of developing obesity-related health problems, the simplest way to check is by working out your body fat percentage (BMI) can help you determine whether you’re a healthy weight.
A BMI of:
- 18.5 or lower indicates being underweight
- 18.5 to 24.9 indicates normal weight
- 25 to 29.9 indicates overweight
- 30 or higher indicates obesity
Numerous studies have shown that weight loss surgery reduces the risk of every type of obesity-related health issue. These include:
- Type 2 Diabetes. Obesity contributes to up to half of new diabetes cases annually in the United States.
- Hypertension and Cardiovascular Disease (CVD). Being overweight requires your heart to work harder, which can result in high blood pressure. Additionally, fat can clog arteries leading to CVD.
- Stroke. The risk of stroke increases due to the high blood pressure associated with obesity.
- Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). Increased weight forces the kidneys to work harder and filter waste at a higher level than usual. This raises the risk of damage to the kidneys. Kidney disease because of obesity is also associated with high blood pressure and diabetes.
- Cancer. Research has associated a higher risk of developing at least 13 different forms of cancer with obesity.
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). Obesity may cause the airway to narrow, making breathing difficult, and is a leading risk factor for sleep apnea.
- Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD). Research indicates NAFLD is present in 90% of individuals who are eligible for metabolic surgery.
- Osteoarthritis and Systemic Inflammation. Obesity puts more strain on joints and cartilage. Furthermore, body fat can cause higher blood levels of inflammatory chemicals, which may increase the risk of osteoarthritis.
Obesity and Bariatric Surgery
According to numerous studies, traditional strategies, such as diet, physical exercise, and lifestyle modifications, rarely result in long-term weight loss. As a result, when your BMI indicates obesity, bariatric surgery is considered the most effective treatment for obesity-related health problems.
Research shows the two most prevalent types of bariatric surgery used today, gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy, reduce the risk of certain types of cancer. There is also sufficient evidence to advocate bariatric surgery as a treatment option for type 2 diabetes.
Techniques for performing bariatric surgery have advanced considerably over the last 20 years, and it is now regarded as safe, dependable, and effective. If you have any obesity-related health concerns, bariatric surgery may be your best option for long-term weight loss and healthy life.
Be Slim Bariatrics (BSB) is dedicated to providing the best care and bariatric surgery in Tijuana, Mexico. Your wellbeing is highly important to everyone at BSB, which is why we have a stringent pre-surgery screening procedure and only work with board-certified surgeons in properly equipped, modern hospitals. In addition to being a member of the Corporate Council of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS), a non-profit organization, BSB is accredited by the Medical Tourism Association (MTA), so you can be confident patient safety is always our top priority.
We offer financing options for all forms of bariatric surgery to allow everyone to transform their lives. So, take the first step towards a better quality of life by filling out our free health questionnaire to determine what type of bariatric surgery would be best for you.
