Weight Loss Surgery Beneficial for Older Adults

Posted: Dec 16 in Weight Loss Surgery by Staff

Recent research shows that it is not any more risky for older adults to have bariatric surgery compared to younger adults. So if you are over 50 and considering weight loss methods, then bariatric surgery in Naples may be a possibility for you, as long as you meet the other necessary qualifications for the surgery and are otherwise in good health. This is true regardless of which type of weight loss surgery you decide to have.

Older adults can expect similar benefits from weight loss surgery to those experienced by younger individuals, including an improvement in their quality of life and improvements in any obesity-related health conditions they may suffer from, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, arthritis, asthma, acid reflux, back pain, sleep apnea and heart disease. Older adults who lose weight through this type of surgery will find it easier to travel, visit relatives and go about their daily activities as they will be more mobile and less likely to be in pain due to obesity-related conditions.

Although older adults are not at higher risk for dying or having an adverse health event after having weight loss surgery, they are more likely to need to stay in the hospital for a longer time, especially if they choose a type of weight loss surgery that requires the surgeon to open their abdomen instead of a laparoscopic weight loss surgery. This can mean a hospital stay of more than six days for people who have open surgery and more than three days for people who have laparoscopic surgery. Overall, older adults are not at an increased risk of severe complications after undergoing bariatric surgery. This fact makes weight loss surgery a viable option for many adults over the age of 50 that are hoping to lose weight and begin living a healthier lifestyle.