Worried about Bariatric Surgery? This study may help ease your concerns.

Many people are concerned about the mortality rate after bariatric surgery, and rightfully so. Any surgery comes with risks, and one of those risks is the risk of death. But should this concern prevent you from having bariatric surgery? Turns out, not having bariatric surgery may pose an even larger risk.

According to a study recently published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, the risk of mortality over 4.5 years for all types of bariatric surgery (gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, and gastric band surgery) was 1.3%. The mortality rate for nonsurgical weight loss treatment patients was 2.3%. While those numbers may seem similar, they are statistically significant. Out of 8385 patients who had either gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, or lap band surgery, there were 105 deaths over 4.3 years. Of the 25155 people treated for obesity nonsurgically, 583 died over 4 years. It is important to note that this includes all causes of death and not just specifically related to surgery or obesity.

The study was an observational study, not a study in which direct cause and effect can be linked, however it adds to the growing list of literature that shows the positive benefits of bariatric surgery compared to nonsurgical treatments of obesity.

If you or a someone you know is considering gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, or gastric band surgery, call Dr. Shillingford, MD, PA at (561) 483-8840 to arrange for a free informational session to learn more about each surgery and which one may be right for you. Dr. Shillingford performs gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, gastric band, and revisional surgery at one of South Florida’s few hospitals designated as a Center of Excellence for Bariatric Surgery by the American Society for Bariatric Surgery. With over 4,000 surgical procedures performed, Dr. Shillingford’s reputation and surgical skills attract patients from nearby areas such as Miami, Boca Raton, and Fort Lauderdale, and also as far away as Orlando, Jacksonville, and Tampa. Get the facts about bariatric surgery today and look forward to a healthier future tomorrow.