If considering weight loss surgery, you may be curious about the benefits of surgery other than the primary benefit of weighing less. The numerous benefits of surgery extend far beyond just the number on the scale.

Here’s what you need to know about the 10 benefits of weight loss surgery and how the weight loss surgery experts at Advanced Laparoscopic Associates (ALA) can help you make monumental changes in your present and future wellness.

1. Less Stress on the Knees and Other Joints

When you have increased body mass, your joints can receive undue force and stress even during simple daily activities. This can predispose your joints to injury and also make them more likely to develop chronic inflammatory conditions such as osteoarthritis. This is especially true of your knee joints. However, weight loss surgery has been shown to benefit the knees and reduce joint pain.

2. Lower Likelihood of Skin Breakdown

For people who suffer from obesity, particular areas of skin are vulnerable to breakdown because of excessive friction or moisture. However, the weight loss that comes along with weight loss surgery can reduce skin folds and better aerate these vulnerable areas, making you less likely to suffer from skin-related conditions such as yeast infections, skin breakdown, and ulcers.

3. Fewer Problems with Asthma

If you suffer from asthma, weight loss surgery may help improve your symptoms. Research has shown that people undergoing bariatric surgery can experience better lung capacity, less reliance on asthma medications, and fewer markers associated with inflammation within one year of their surgery.

4. Improved Fertility

Many women and men with the condition of obesity experience difficulties with their fertility. However, research has shown that weight loss surgery can improve the balance of hormones in men and women, improving sperm count and making women more likely to become pregnant.

5. Long-Term Remission for Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes and obesity are highly associated with one another. However, when you can lose weight through weight loss surgery, you can improve your body’s sensitivity to the hormone insulin. This can improve your diabetes and even cause your diabetes to go into remission.

6. Improved Cardiovascular Health

Losing weight through weight loss surgery can greatly benefit your heart. Researchers have found that weight loss surgery confers a 56 percent reduction in mortality due to coronary artery disease, one of the leading causes of death in today’s world.

7. Mental Health Boost

Obesity can take a toll on your mental health, making you more likely to experience mental health conditions such as depression. However, losing weight through weight loss surgery can significantly impact on your self-image, confidence and quality of life, all of which can benefit your mental health.

8. Improved Sleep

It is common for people with the condition of obesity to also have a condition known as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). In OSA, excessive airway tissue can collapse during sleep, causing a pause in breathing and frequent awakening. After weight loss surgery, experts note that up to 70 of people with OSA experience a marked improvement in their sleep.

9. Less Acid Reflux

Many people who have the condition of obesity struggle with acid reflux, also known as gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD). However, weight loss surgery has been shown to reduce symptoms in people suffering from GERD.

10. Reduction in High Blood Pressure and High Cholesterol

When you lose weight through weight loss surgery, many other obesity-associated conditions can improve as well. This is true of some of the leading obesity-related chronic conditions, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Losing weight can also make it easier to exercise, which can have a further positive impact on these conditions.

If you’re curious whether weight loss surgery is right for you, it’s important to consider your weight loss goals, family history, and any other current medical conditions. Undergoing one surgical procedure may have wide-ranging benefits and positive impacts on your future health and longevity.

To learn more about the benefits of weight loss surgery, get in touch with ALA today.