Study Reveals Metabolic, Bariatric Surgery Safe for Severe Obesity

New Delhi: Metabolic and bariatric surgery has been reaffirmed as a safe and effective treatment for patients with extreme obesity, specifically those with a body mass index (BMI) exceeding 70, according to a study conducted by researchers at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center, USA.

Bariatric surgery, commonly performed on individuals with a BMI of 35 or higher, is often recommended when traditional weight loss methods, such as diet and exercise, fail. It is also widely used for patients with severe obesity-related health conditions. Despite concerns regarding post-surgical risks in those with extremely high BMI, there is no universally accepted maximum BMI threshold that excludes patients from undergoing this surgery. However, a higher BMI is generally associated with increased risks of complications after surgery.

The study, published in the journal Obesity Surgery, analyzed data from 84 patients with severe obesity who underwent metabolic or bariatric procedures. The findings revealed low rates of complications within the first 30 days after surgery.

With obesity rates continuing to rise globally, healthcare providers are increasingly managing patients with extreme obesity, including those with BMIs exceeding 70. Bariatric surgery, which involves altering the stomach and intestines to aid weight loss, also addresses metabolic disorders associated with obesity.

The study highlighted the robust weight loss achieved by severely obese patients following surgery, with results proving durable for up to one year. Additionally, patients experienced low rates of complications and required few reoperations within the first year post-surgery.

The findings underscore the importance of offering bariatric surgery as a viable treatment option for patients with extreme obesity. Despite the potential challenges posed by high BMI, the procedure provides significant benefits, including sustained weight loss and improved metabolic health.

As obesity prevalence escalates, the research emphasizes the need for tailored approaches to managing severe obesity and reinforces the role of bariatric surgery as a safe intervention for this high-risk group.