The eight to ten million people morbidly obese in this country, those weighing 100 or more pounds over a healthy weight, may have found a way to reduce the risk of health concerns associated with obesity.

Gastric bypass surgery and other bariatric surgeries involve creating a smaller stomach and rearranging the small intestine in people suffering from obesity. Those who have had this type of surgery claim to have experienced a dramatic improvement in their health.

However, statistical banter has played out between critics and supporters of the surgery in regard to related benefits. Critics argue that risks such as malnutrition and other medical problems outweigh the benefits, while supporters claims the surgery saves lives by eliminating the risk of common health problems relating to excess weight.

One expert explains that bariatric surgery should be thought of as a last resort after all other options have been exhausted.

In a combined analysis of 136 studies, researchers found:

• Patients lost an average of 61 percent of excess body weight

• Patients lowered their cholesterol (70 percent) and blood pressure (62 percent), as well as eliminated or eased diabetes (77 percent) and obstructive sleep apnea (86 percent)

• One in every 200 patients died a month after the operation

Overall, the study showed that those patients, who had gastric bypass surgery or any other bariatric operation, experienced an improvement in high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes and obstructive sleep apnea. Studies also showed that 70 to 80 percent of cases were either eliminated or improved.

Apparently, resolution of diabetes occurred before weight loss took place and days after the surgery. Researchers believe this could be a result from hormone changes trigged by the surgery, some of which are related to hunger.

Journal of the American Medical Association October 13, 2004;292(14)

Dr. Mercola's Comments:

If you read my blog regularly, you may remember a post about the "mixed blessings" behind gastric bypass surgery. Instead of the 1 in 200 mortality rate bariatric surgeons often brag about, one study pointed out 2 percent of all gastric bypass patients DIE within 30 days after surgery. I can't understand why people would spend $30,000 on a temporary solution such as stomach stapling, and not focus on a more permanent solution such as optimal health. There are two important factors to keep in mind while on the road to a healthy life: exercise and a proper diet. In my experience, extensive aerobic exercise and the elimination of grains and sugars are two key tactics in eliminating diabetes and bringing optimal health to nearly all of my patients. By eating a proper diet, you will not only lose weight, but also control your insulin levels. When insulin levels begin to rise, due to eating too many carbohydrates, a hormonal message is released, telling your body to store fat while holding on to fat that it already there. So, not only will excess carbohydrates make you fat, they will make you stay fat. Next, when you exercise you increase the sensitivity of insulin receptors so the insulin that is present works much more effectively and your body doesn't need to produce as much. Most people don't tend to appreciate how powerful exercise is. One of the keys in using exercise to normalize insulin levels with secondary benefits of weight loss and normalization of blood sugars is to make certain minimum thresholds are met. It is my experience that most people are not exercising enough. You can learn more about incorporating the right exercise program into your life by reading Paul Chek's latest book, How to Eat, Move and Be Healthy!, a perfect complement to my nutritional program. Related Articles: Obesity and Diabetes: A Growing Problem Among Americans Low Grain and Carbohydrate Diets Treat Hypoglycemia, Heart Disease, Diabetes Cancer and Nearly ALL Chronic Illness 'Pre-Diabetes' Tests Urged for Overweight Americans Obesity and Diabetes in US Continues to Climb Concerns Raised Over "Stomach Stapling" Surgery for Obese