A recent study led by Dr. Florina Corpodean from the Pennington Biomedical Research Center provides reassurance that bariatric surgery is a safe and effective treatment option for patients with severe obesity.
The research analyzed outcomes for individuals with extremely high body mass index (BMI), specifically those exceeding 70 kg/m², a group often considered at high surgical risk.
In the study, titled “BMI ≥ 70: A Multi-Center Institutional Experience of the Safety and Efficacy of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Intervention” and published in Obesity Surgery, the team evaluated data from 84 patients who underwent metabolic or bariatric surgery.
They found that the rate of serious complications within 30 days of surgery was only 0.7%, demonstrating that the procedure carries an acceptable level of risk even for patients with severe obesity.
With over 40% of Americans living with obesity, healthcare providers are increasingly treating individuals with extremely high BMIs. These patients face significant health challenges and are at greater risk for complications from traditional medical treatments.
Surgery is often considered a last resort, but the findings from this study highlight that bariatric procedures can be a safe and effective option.
Dr. Corpodean, a surgical research fellow at Pennington Biomedical, emphasized the importance of studying this specific population. “Patients with this level of obesity are often understudied, but their numbers are growing,” she said.
“Our data shows that while these patients may be at higher risk due to their weight, bariatric surgery remains a viable and largely safe treatment option.”
The researchers examined patient demographics, surgical outcomes, and weight loss progress at different intervals: 30 days, 6 months, and 1 year after surgery. They also tracked emergency room visits, hospital readmissions, and the need for follow-up surgeries during the first year.
The results showed that patients achieved significant and lasting weight loss, with improvements in their overall health.
While patients did have a higher rate of emergency department visits compared to other groups, the rate of serious complications and reoperations remained low. This suggests that while close follow-up care is essential, the benefits of the surgery far outweigh the risks.
Breaking Barriers in Treating Severe Obesity
Historically, surgeons have hesitated to perform bariatric procedures on individuals with very high BMIs due to concerns about surgical risks. However, this study challenges the notion that there should be a BMI cutoff for eligibility.
Dr. Philip Schauer, Director of the Metamor Institute, noted, “Our data shows that BMI levels above 70 should not discourage surgeons from offering this life-changing treatment. Bariatric surgery is a safe and effective tool for patients with severe obesity, and we hope more institutions will explore this area further.”
The findings highlight the urgent need to address obesity as a growing health crisis. Dr. John Kirwan, Executive Director of Pennington Biomedical, praised the study for its contributions.
“Obesity is one of the leading health challenges of our time. Studies like this give patients and healthcare providers hope that effective solutions exist, even for those with severe obesity,” he said.
While the study confirms that bariatric surgery can lead to significant weight loss and health improvements, it also underscores the importance of continued research.
Expanding our understanding of how to safely and effectively treat individuals with severe obesity will pave the way for better outcomes and improved quality of life for millions of people.
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The research findings can be found in Obesity Surgery.
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