Bariatric Surgery and its health benefits

With obesity being the number one public health problem facing Americans today, finding long-term solutions that reduce the harmful effects of this growing epidemic. On the 4/20/08 episode of 60 Minutes, Lesley Stahl reported on the surprising healthy effects that having weight loss surgery is having on many patients. When the surgery is performed and the individual adheres to the post-operative dietary and exercise guidelines, reductions in hypertension, coronary artery disease, Type II diabetes are seen as well as reduced risk for certain cancers like breast, colon, endometrial cancers. Obviously, bariatric surgery is not just about losing pounds. These new findings are also broadening the medical community’s knowledge of the complex interplay between obesity and these other health conditions.