Bariatric weight-loss surgery plays a role in helping to reduce death from conditions with risks increased by obesity.

A new study conducted by Intermountain Health found people who opted for the weight loss surgery had a significant reduction in death rates from heart disease, cancer and diabetes compared to obese patients who didn’t have the surgery.

“We essentially looked at 21,837 surgery and non-surgery patients over a 40 year period,” said Dr. Nathan Richards, associate medical director of general surgery at Intermountain Health and co-author of the study. “We wanted to see if any of the four types of weight-loss reduced the risk of death and if so, in what way and in what disease.”

Richards said the study found the risk of death after surgery was 29% less for heart disease, 43% for cancer and 72% less for diabetes.

“That’s pretty remarkable when you look at the impact surgery can have on the right patient,” he said.

Richards said the days of considering obesity as an eating problem are gone. There are many factors that play a role including genetics, environment, medications that cause weight gain and different mental and physical conditions.

“So much plays into it,” he said. “Yes, calories in, calories out can be part of how we manage weight, but once the calories are in, the way they are processed depends on each different individual.”

The duration of the study allowed researchers to get a long-term understanding about the role weight loss surgery plays in caring for people with obesity, Richards added.

“It gives us perspective on what to expect down the road and is helpful to counsel patients about the benefits and risks of weight loss surgery other than what may happen just immediately after surgery,” he said.

The study not only shows that people who have weight loss surgery have reduced risk of dying from heart-related disease, diabetes and cancer, but that the benefits are durable and last for years according to Ted Adams.

“There is staying power,” said Adams, principal author of the study from the Intermountain Health surgical specialties/digesting health clinical program and adjunct professor in nutrition and physiology at the University of Utah School of Medicine.

The study did find an increase of death from chronic liver disease and higher death rates from suicide in patients who had the surgery at younger ages. Adams said when it comes to liver disease, the finding could be in part because alcohol absorption changes in those who have the surgery. However, liver health was not tested in patients before or after surgery.

“The increased risk of suicide in younger patient who undergo surgery is surprising and concerning,” Richards said. “It underscores the importance of caring for the whole patient during the weight loss journey and really focusing on mental health care pre and post-operatively to make sure patients understand the changes associated with surgery, weight loss and have the behavioral skills necessary to handle these changes.”

In order to qualify for one of the surgeries, a person must have a body mass index of 30-35, Richards said. The surgeries are very safe, he said, though complications can include blood clots, leaks or breathing issues.

“This is impactful because it shows us that bariatric surgery is not a one-hit wonder, but is instead a gift that keeps on giving,” Richards said.

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