Is Bariatric Surgery More Effective Than Diet and Exercise For Weight?
Doctors use bariatric surgery (such as gastric bypass) to help patients lose weight. Bariatric surgery is highly effective, but should only be considered when diet and exercise are insufficient or if the patient has serious health problems due to excess weight.
Some bariatric surgeries restrict how much patients can eat. Others work by diminishing the body’s ability to receive nutrients. Some bariatric procedures do both. In Plano, TX, the knowledgeable doctors at the Texas Center for Bariatrics & Advanced Surgery offer several types of bariatric surgery to help patients achieve their goals.
Whether bariatric surgery or diet and exercise is best for your body depends on how much weight you need to lose and your commitment to the process.
Comparing the Likelihood of Weight Loss
Diet and exercise help maintain healthy body weight. When patients cannot maintain a healthy weight through diet and exercise or have a BMI of 35 or greater, doctors may recommend weight loss surgery. The goal of weight loss surgery is to lose up to 80 percent of excess body weight, but even a 40 to 50 percent decrease can significantly improve overall health.
While diet and exercise can help patients lose weight long-term, bariatric surgery is a more effective way for patients who are excessively overweight to rapidly lose weight.
Comparing the Overall Health Benefits
A healthy diet and consistent exercise help the body prevent diseases such as heart disease, several types of cancer, and stroke. Good diet and regular exercise can also improve sleep and mood.
In addition to helping patients rapidly lose weight, bariatric surgery can reduce the risk of obesity-related diseases. Compared to obese adults who don’t get the surgery, bariatric patients have longer lives, weigh significantly less, and have most of the benefits of losing weight through diet and exercise alone.
However, bariatric surgery is not a magic or permanent solution for weight loss. After bariatric surgery, patients will need to maintain a healthy lifestyle in order to keep losing weight.
Comparing Metabolism Effects
The higher the metabolic rate, the more calories you burn, making it easier to lose weight and keep it off. Exercise and some foods are famous for boosting the metabolism:
- Cardiovascular exercises (such as running, aerobics, or walking) stimulate the metabolism, which helps burn calories and temporarily suppress appetite
- Gaining muscle mass (through weight lifting) increases resting metabolism
- Diets high in protein, drinking green and oolong teas, and spicy foods increase metabolism
Bariatric surgeries alter the anatomy of the digestive system or restrict how much food you can eat, which can result in:
- Decreased appetite
- Increased feelings of fullness
- Increased metabolism
- Less nutrient intake
Therefore, both diet and exercise and weight loss surgery can speed up your metabolism.
Comparing Sustained Weight Loss
Diet and exercise are effective methods of losing weight. However, these activities do not restrict how much you can physically eat or change the way your body absorbs food, so the weight loss will be gradual.
With bariatric surgery, weight loss is more rapid and dramatic. At the Texas Center for Bariatrics & Advanced Surgery, some patients lose as much as 80 percent of their excess weight during the six months after their surgery. Because bariatric surgeries are designed to restrict how much you can eat or change the way your body absorbs nutrients, they are very effective for long-term, sustainable weight loss. Our team will also provide dietary instructions and coaching to help you maintain healthy habits and keep the weight off.
Schedule a Weight Loss Surgery Consultation in Plano, TX
Bariatric surgery does not replace a healthy lifestyle of diet and exercise. Instead, both approaches complement each other for long-term weight loss success. However, for rapid and dramatic weight loss, bariatric surgery is a great option for patients who have already tried diet and exercise.
If you would like to find out if you are a candidate for bariatric surgery, book an appointment at the Texas Center for Bariatrics & Advanced Surgery in Plano, TX, by calling (214) 501-1333 or messaging us online at your earliest convenience.