PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Are surgical procedures meant to help fight obesity actually helpful?
Four out of 10 people fall into a group the medical world calls "obese," but 9% of Americans are considered morbidly obese. Certainly, diet and exercise play a role, but so do genetics, complex relationships of hormones and social influencers of health.
Each year, a quarter of a million people in this group turn to surgery. Gastric bypass and gastric sleeve are two options, and for the vast majority of the people who have surgery, there is a 20% to 30% weight loss.
We now have studies following those who have had procedures 15 years ago, and the impact on diabetes, sleep apnea and high blood pressure is dramatic.
However, surgery is not a decision to be taken lightly. And specialists in this area insists on counseling before and after any procedure
KYW Newsradio's Medical Reports are sponsored by Independence Blue Cross.
