Research on Bariatric surgery results - ThinnerTimes

Suzanne-photog4fun · 10-17-2004, 03:54 PM

Research Article: JAMA Article on the Effect of Bariatric Surgery on 4 Diseases The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) published a landmark article on bariatric surgery this past Wednesday. The article detailed a study to determine how effective bariatric surgery is on diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and sleep apnea. It was a study of 136 studies that included 22,094 patients. This is a huge study. It is huge in the number of patients included and huge in the significance of the study being published in the most prestigious medical journal.

What they found:

Patients average weight loss was 61%Diabetes was eased or eliminated in 86% of cases
High blood pressure improved in 78.5% of patients
Sleep apnea improved in 85.7% of patients
High cholesterol went down in 70% of patients
One in 200 died within one month after surgery

There is a quote from Dr. Buchwald that I love. He said “There are 8 to 10 million people who are morbidly obese in this country, and we’re only operating on 1 percent to 2 percent of them. Treating that small of a percentage wouldn’t be tolerated if it was any other illness.”

We are very fortunate to have such advocates for us as Dr. Buchwald, and the other surgeons involved in this study. It is work like this that will make weight loss surgery more common place as people realize that it is an effective and safe surgery.

Buchwald, Henry, et al, “Bariatric Surgery: A systematic Review and Meta-analysis,” Journal of the American Medical Association. Vol. 292:14, Oct. 13, 2004, p 1724 - 1737.

Here is a link to the abstract of the article:
http://www.jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/292/14/1724

onederlandbound · 10-18-2004, 06:41 PM

Hey Suzanne,

Fortunate Indeed!

Thanks for the information. I was wondering if you could answer a question for me. I've read on occasion the statistics of people dying months after surgery. Do you or anyone else know what these people are dying from?

Thanks for the time.

kleengram · 10-19-2004, 09:15 PM

Thanks for sharing. Just a question though, did you by chance find out anything about the surgry helping with fybromyalga? I have it very bad and am hoping that with the surgry it will help. I am hopeful, but have not found any documentation on it anywhere. But thanks for the information that you did show it was great. Kleengram

Suzanne-photog4fun · 10-21-2004, 06:08 AM

My friend's fibromyalia dramatically improved after losing 100+ lbs. (not cured).

Suzanne-photog4fun · 10-21-2004, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onederlandbound

Hey Suzanne,

Fortunate Indeed!

Thanks for the information. I was wondering if you could answer a question for me. I've read on occasion the statistics of people dying months after surgery. Do you or anyone else know what these people are dying from?

Thanks for the time.

Most deaths occur in the first 3 wks of surgery from surgery complications such as internal bleeding, infection, or blood clots to the lungs. Deaths related to WLS after about 2 months postop are quite rare unless related to ongoing postop complications.
Whenever anyone has abdominal surgery, there is always a risk of scar tissue forming causing a "kink" in your bowel leading to obstruction necessitating emergency surgery. In fact, my niece (2 1/2 months postop) is currently in the hospital with that problem...SCAREY! People don't usually die from that though. Bottom line though is that if you're having severe abdominal pain, can't retain fluids, or spiking high fevers, especially within the first 3 months postop, call your doctor.

Americanwoman397 · 10-21-2004, 07:49 AM

I was told by Kelly that people they lose after two months is normally people who kill them selves. That is why our support group is so important and we all need to stick with it some how. You go through so many emotions and you need people who know what its about and have been there to help us. Don't forget we are a family and will be here no matter what it is.

Christina · 10-21-2004, 07:59 AM

Tonya,

Unfortunately the suicide rate is pretty bad post-bariatric surgery. However, I think that IS why Dr. Callery stresses the support and whatnot as it is very important to our healing, our success, and our mortality. He really does care about each and every one of his patients, and only wants success for all.

I am sticking with this group til the end.. cause I need and love all of you guys..

Quote:

Originally Posted by Americanwoman397

I was told by Kelly that people they lose after two months is normally people who kill them selves. That is why our support group is so important and we all need to stick with it some how. You go through so many emotions and you need people who know what its about and have been there to help us. Don't forget we are a family and will be here no matter what it is.

onederlandbound · 10-21-2004, 06:51 PM

Thanks again for the information,

I too plan on hanging in there. The support here is excellent and definitely better than what they have to offer where I am. I don't think a group meeting once a month is enough. I think we all have in-between moments.

I'm going to check out the group meeting here in NY, but I'll always be here with you guys. I received a lot of help here and I want to be able to help someone else along this way. I'm in for the long haul!