Diet vs. Bariatric Surgery: Weighing Your Options
Lost on your journey to health?
The debate on diet vs. bariatric surgery can leave you feeling overwhelmed.
Don’t worry.
We’ll help decode the dilemma so you can get closer to a healthier you.
Read on!
Washington native Nancy had gastric sleeve surgery in Tijuana.
She lost 40 lbs in 4 months and was so thrilled she visited again.
This time to help her friend have the same easy yet highly rewarding experience!
Washington native Nancy had gastric sleeve surgery in Tijuana.
She lost 40 lbs in 4 months and was so thrilled she visited again.
This time to help her friend have the same easy yet highly rewarding experience!
Move closer to health!
Get started todayHow Does Obesity Affect Health in the Long-Term?
Before you find the winner of the diet vs. bariatric surgery game, consider the toll obesity has on you.
As your weight increases, your bones, brain, and other body organs find it hard to function.
This effect of obesity can take years off your life.
Unless you commit to a method, it can lead to chronic health problems.
These include:
Type 2 Diabetes
If you have abdominal obesity, there’s a high risk of developing diabetes.[1]Wiley Online Library
Is visceral abdominal fat area a better indicator for hyperglycemic risk?
“Higher abdominal obesity… has been proved to be associated with the risk for developing type 2 diabetes”
View in Article
Abdominal fat hampers the function of cells that respond to insulin.
Thus, leading to insulin resistance – a significant reason behind diabetes.[2]Open Access Text
Obesity and Type 2 diabetes mellitus
“Abdominal fat causes fat cells to release…chemicals, which can make the body less sensitive to the insulin…insulin resistance – a major trigger for type 2 diabetes.”
View in Article
Guess what?
You can lower the risk of diabetes by 16% for every kg (2.2 pounds) you lose.[3]Plos Medicine
Weight loss strategies, weight change, and type 2 diabetes in US health professionals
“On average, the risk of diabetes is estimated to reduce by 16% per kilogram weight loss in individuals with overweight/obesity and prediabetes ”
View in Article
Respiratory Disorders
In a study on 1,167 patients with respiratory issues, 40% patients were fat.
They weren’t just overweight.
They had an average BMI of 36.5, which puts them at moderate risk.[4]Lung India
“Clinical impact of obesity on respiratory diseases A real-life study”
“A total of 1167 patients were included; about 39% of the population had average BMI 36.5 kg/m2.”
View in Article
All the obese patients had various kinds of respiratory issues.
Primarily, they suffered from sleep apnea syndrome & asthma.[5]Lung India
Images Download Cite Share Favorites Permissions ORIGINAL ARTICLE Clinical impact of obesity on respiratory diseases
“The primary respiratory diseases…were Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS, 19%) and asthma (15%).”
View in Article
Cerebrovascular Disease & Stroke
Stroke is the 5th leading cause of death in the US.[6]CDC
Leading Causes of Death
“Number of deaths for leading causes of death: Stroke (cerebrovascular diseases): 160,264”
View in Article
One factor that plays a role in this is obesity.
Being obese raises bad cholesterol (LDL) & lowers good cholesterol (HDL).[7]Medline Plus
LDL: The “Bad” Cholesterol
“Being overweight tends to raise your LDL level, lower your HDL level, and increase your total cholesterol level”
View in Article
Cholesterol (saturated fat) can build up in the blood vessels.
If it stays there for a long time, it can obstruct blood flow. Thus, resulting in a stroke.[8]American Stroke Association
Risk Factors Under Your Control
“Large amounts of cholesterol in the blood can build up and cause blood clots — leading to a stroke”
View in Article
You must melt the stubborn fat pushing you to such chronic conditions.
It’s time to understand whether dieting can help you or will surgery be your savior.
How Does Diet & Exercise Work To Help You Lose Weight?
The fundamental principle of weight loss is to consume fewer calories than you can burn.
Dieting involves
- Meal prep
- Portion control
- Counting calories
- Balancing nutrition
- Lots of experimentation!
Exercising involves
- Consistent workouts
- Tracking progress
- Pushing through discomfort
- Finding activities that yield results
- Enjoying the process!
Unfortunately, most people soon find themselves in the hard-to-cross plateau stage.
At this stage, people give up on their new diet/exercise habits and start regaining weight.
The few who don’t give up try more effective diets like the keto diet.
Keto – An Effective Non-Calorie-Restricting Diet
Keto is a low-carb, high-fat diet through which your body gets into ketosis.
In this state, your body uses fat instead of glucose (from carbs) as energy.[9]NCBI
Ketogenic Diet
“A ketogenic diet primarily consists of high fats… and very low carbohydrates…Ketone bodies replace glucose as a primary source of energy…increased breakdown of fats that result in fatty acids. ”
View in Article
But, like every diet, your body needs time to adjust to keto.
You may suffer from issues like fatigue, constipation, and fatty liver during this period.[10]NCBI
Advantages and Disadvantages of the Ketogenic Diet: A Review Article
“keto flu…encompasses symptoms including fatigue, headache…nausea…constipation…Long-term side effects include hepatic steatosis, kidney stones, hypoproteinemia, and vitamin deficiency.”
View in Article
What’s Allowed on Keto?
It’s Not One Size Fits All
Sadly, natural ways of weight loss don’t work for everyone.
Not everyone has the will to maintain the necessary lifestyle changes for long.
Surgery is the better choice between the keto diet and bariatric surgery because it works.
Patients lose 77% of their excess weight within a year after surgery.[11]ASMBS
Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery
“Patients may lose as much as 60% of excess weight six months after surgery, and 77% of excess weight as early as 12 months after surgery.”
View in Article
The benefits are incredible for those with issues like hypertension and diabetes on top.[12]ASMBS
Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery
“Majority of bariatric surgery patients with diabetes, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and obstructive sleep apnea experience remission of these obesity-related diseases.”
View in Article
How Do You Know if Surgery Will Work for You?
Check the eligibility criteria.
Make sure you understand the whole process – from before the surgery to aftercare.
Of all the options, most people select sleeve gastrectomy because of its low cost abroad.
However, some find gastric bypass surgery better compared to anything else.
People choose gastric bypass instead of dieting and exercising because it’s highly effective.
It also helps cure issues like diabetes and sleep apnea at a faster rate.[13]Nature
Seven-year trajectories of body weight, quality of life and comorbidities following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy
“Remission rates for type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, obstructive sleep-apnea and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)…significantly favored RYGB.”
View in Article
Want to know more about these types of weight loss surgeries? Keep reading.
Bariatric Surgery for Weight Loss
Explore the Bariatric Surgery Options You Have
Gastric Sleeve Surgery
Gastric Sleeve
During sleeve gastrectomy, the surgeon will remove 80% of your stomach.[14]ASMBS
Bariatric Surgery Procedures
“The Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy, often called the “sleeve”, is performed by removing approximately 80% of the stomach.”
View in Article
A smaller stomach means you feel full faster.
Also, the part that’s removed produces the hunger hormone.[15]ASMBS
Bariatric Surgery Procedures
“By removing the portion of the stomach that produces most of the “hunger hormone”…It decreases hunger, increases fullness…maintain…blood sugar control.”
View in Article
Removing it helps reduce your hunger, preventing over-eating.
Gastric Bypass Surgery
Gastric Bypass
In this procedure, the surgeon will separate an egg-sized portion of your stomach.
He will then attach it to the small intestine.
Gastric bypass is quite reliable (success rate of 88%).[16]MDPI
Analysis of the Variability in Different Criteria to Define the Success of Bariatric Surgery: Retrospective Study 5-Year Follow-Up after Sleeve Gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass
“for patients in the RYGB group…higher success rates are calculated…EWL (88%)”
View in Article
It’s also effective in relieving obesity-related conditions.[17]ASMBS
Bariatric Surgery Procedures
“The stomach is divided into a smaller top portion (pouch) which is about the size of an egg…Reliable and long-lasting weight loss… Effective for remission of obesity-associated conditions”
View in Article
Gastric Balloon Procedure
Gastric Balloon
The surgeon sends a deflated balloon into your stomach.
Then fills it up with saline.
The inflated balloon reduces the space in your stomach.
Thus, limiting the amount of food you eat.
The best part is – the gastric balloon procedure is reversible.[18]NCBI
Endoscopic intragastric balloon: a gimmick or a viable option for obesity?
“The intragastric balloon (IGB) probably set the starting point of endoscopic bariatric therapy…an empty balloon is introduced into the stomach…The balloon is then inflated with air or saline…non-invasive, reversible ”
View in Article
Scared of incisions? Check out a new weight loss procedure called ESG.
A Method That’s Safe, Non-Invasive & Easy
Once you get the surgery done, you should prioritize post-op diet and exercise.
Aftercare
The right diet & exercise are vital for successful weight loss post-op.
This holds true not only during recovery but for years down the line to acheive sustainable health.
Diet
First 24 hours: Start with a low-sugar clear liquid diet.
Next 2-4 weeks: Start eating soft and creamy foods.[20]NCBI
Diet approach before and after bariatric surgery
“ low-sugar clear liquid diet is initiated within 24 h of surgery … moving from clear liquids to soft or creamy foods…over … 2–4 weeks.”
View in Article
Eventually, move to solid chewable items like cheese.
Make sure to avoid high-carb foods like white bread. They could block your stomach.[21]NHS UK
Afterwards -Weight loss surgery
“avoid, or be careful when eating, foods that could block your stomach, such as soft white bread”
View in Article
Exercise
After surgery, walking is the best exercise for you. For the first week, start with 20 minutes of daily walking.
As you heal, you can increase the intensity of your walk or do yoga.
Once you recover fully, try intense activities that increase your heart rate. [22]NHS UK
Afterwards -Weight loss surgery
“Once you’ve fully recovered, you should aim to do regular activities that are intense enough to leave you feeling out of breath and make your heart beat faster, such as: brisk walking…cycling… swimming”
View in Article
These could include cycling and swimming.
Top Tips To Boost Post-Op Weight Loss
Before you are discharged, an expert will guide you through all this.
But you will only reach that stage if you decide to get surgery.
Ready to make your choice?
Diet vs. Bariatric Surgery: Which Is the Better Option for You?
Before you find the best option for you, it’s crucial to understand the best choice in general.
Is It Better To Lose Weight Naturally or Through Surgery?
The best option is to lose weight naturally.
However, it doesn’t work for most people, especially those with more than a few pounds to lose.[23]AHA Journals
Comparative Effectiveness of Gastric Bypass and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy for Hypertension Remission and Relapse: The ENGAGE CVD Study
“Only 50% of studies…show at least 5% weight loss (considered clinically meaningful), and most of the participants gain back at least half of this lost weight over 18 to 30 months”
View in Article
If you are considering surgery, likely, you have already tried diet and exercise.
For some people, extensive dieting and exercising can cause more trouble.
For instance, you will be more prone to injury in the gym.[24]Research Square
Risk of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury in Obese Population: A Retrospective Study in a Single Center in Saudi Arabia
“…people with more than accepted BMI level will be at higher risk of having ACL tear. In other words, the BMI elevation is associated with developing ACL tear”
View in Article
Or if you try intermittent fasting and your body is not used to it, you may start stress-eating.
You may think that following the weight loss surgery diet without the surgery will get the same results.
But that’s far from facts!
A 2021 study found that only 10% of patients who got surgery were unhappy.
A whopping 96% of those who relied on diet and exercise were left wanting better results.[25]Science Direct
Long-term durability of weight loss after bariatric surgery; a retrospective study
“Patients Satisfaction Satisfied 45 (90.0%) 2 (4.0%) Unsatisfied 5 (10.0%) 48 (96.0%)”
View in Article
But if you are still in doubt, let’s make the decision easier.
Let’s check the eligibility criteria!
Who Is Eligible for Losing Weight Through Diet and Exercise?
Everyone!
That’s right. You are good to go as long as your body responds well to diet and exercise.
Who Is Eligible for Losing Weight Through Bariatric Surgery?
Three factors determine eligibility for surgery:
- BMI
- Related health conditions
- Previous weight loss attempts
You are also eligible if your BMI is between 30 to 34.9 & you have failed to lose weight naturally.[27]Science Daily
After 30 years — new guidelines for weight-loss surgery
“But even without metabolic disease…weight-loss surgery should be considered starting at BMI 30 for people who do not achieve…weight loss or obesity disease-related improvement using nonsurgical methods.”
View in Article
Our partner clinics have helped many patients with BMI > 30.
Are You Eligible for Weight Loss Surgery?
Don’t know if you qualify? Reach out to us.
How To Know if Bariatric Surgery Is the Right Option for You?
Ask yourself.
- Is my BMI > 30?
- Is my doctor suggesting that I undergo a bariatric procedure?
- Have I tried dieting and exercising to lose weight? Did my attempt(s) fail?
- Does my weight keep coming back?
- Do I have related issues like diabetes, high BP, etc., that make life miserable?
If the answers are NO, try exercise & diet instead of bariatric surgery to get to a healthy weight.
But if your answer is YES, weight loss surgery will be right for you.
Advantages of Bariatric Surgery vs Diet and Exercise
How Bariatric Surgery Transforms Your Life
1. Bariatric Surgery Has a High Success Rate.
You can try too many diets and forms of exercise and still not get results.
But that’s not the case with bariatric surgeries.
The success rate of surgeries is relatively high.
| Gastric Sleeve | Gastric Bypass |
|---|---|
| 73.2%[28]Research Gate Proposal for an Index for Predicting the Success of Sleeve Gastrectomy: A Pilot Study “surgical success was defined as %EWL >50%, a success rate of 73.2% after 5 years was reported for all patients” View in Article |
88%[29]MDPI Analysis of the Variability in Different Criteria to Define the Success of Bariatric Surgery: Retrospective Study 5-Year Follow-Up after Sleeve Gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass “for patients in the RYGB group…higher success rates are calculated…EWL (88%)” View in Article |
*%EWL is a common metric used to measure weight loss resulting from weight loss surgery.[30]Springer Link
What predicts the unsuccess of bariatric surgery? An observational retrospective study
“Percentage of excess weight loss (%EWL) is one of the most accepted criteria. It is…the difference between baseline weight and weight after BS divided for the difference between baseline weight and the ideal weight”
View in Article
90% of patients who get surgery are satisfied.
In contrast, only 4% of those who lose weight through non-surgical methods are happy.[31]Science Direct
Long-term durability of weight loss after bariatric surgery; a retrospective study
“More than 90% of Patients were satisfied inside the RYGB group versus a percent of 4% in non-surgical matches group.”
View in Article
2. Bariatric Surgery Brings Results for Months.
Diets work only for up to 18 months.[32]AHA Journals
Comparative Effectiveness of Gastric Bypass and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy for Hypertension Remission and Relapse: The ENGAGE CVD Study
“most of the participants gain back at least half of this lost weight over 18 to 30 months”
View in Article
Bariatric surgery will help you lose weight for ~ 5 years if not more.[33]MDPI
Five-Year Outcomes in Bariatric Surgery Patients
“There were statistically significant reductions of weight and BMI at both 6 months and 5 years after surgery in comparison with the initial values ”
View in Article
Check this graph.
It shows the avg five-year outcome of a study of 66 patients who got bariatric surgery.
5-Year Reduction in BMI After Bariatric Surgery[34]MDPI
Five-Year Outcomes in Bariatric Surgery Patients
“Average values of body mass index (BMI) before surgery, at 6 months, and at 5 years after bariatric surgery ”
View in Article
The avg BMI reduced from 43.25 before surgery to 30.66 after five years.
3. Bariatric Surgery Is Faster & Encouraging.
Diet and exercise can be difficult with a busy schedule or demanding job.
It’s worse if you also have health issues such as diabetes, hypertension, or cancer.
Yes, you will have to change your lifestyle even after surgery.
But thanks to faster weight loss initially, you will feel empowered.
The motivation you get with rapid results after surgery is not what you get when dieting without it.
Worried about the rare complications from surgery? Consider this!
Long-Term Results of Diet vs. Bariatric Surgery
Dieting has some limitations.
It can be highly restrictive, which makes a diet difficult to follow in the long run.
You are more likely to regain the weight lost.
Bariatric Surgery Takes the Lead!
Weight Loss After Bariatric Surgery vs Diet
A study done on 21,942 patients found that most diets led to weight loss & improved BP.
But at 12 months, patients regained their weight, and BP improvements also disappeared.[36]BMJ
Comparison of dietary macronutrient patterns of 14 popular named dietary programmes for weight and cardiovascular risk factor reduction in adults: systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomised trials
“Overall, weight loss diminished at 12 months…while the benefits for cardiovascular risk factors of all interventions, except the Mediterranean diet, essentially disappeared.”
View in Article
Fortunately, bariatric surgery can overcome these issues & provide long-term results.
A study done over 7 years found that patients lost over 20% of their total weight after surgery.[37]Nature
Seven-year trajectories of body weight, quality of life and comorbidities following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy
“With 84.2% of participants evaluable after 5–7 years, model-based percent total weight-loss (%TWL) at 7 years was 23.4 after SG versus 27.3 after RYGB”
View in Article
Also, only 20 to 25% of bariatric patients regain some weight.[38]NCBI
Weight Regain and Insufficient Weight Loss After Bariatric Surgery: Definitions, Prevalence, Mechanisms, Predictors, Prevention and Management Strategies, and Knowledge Gaps
“some degree of weight regain (WR) is common … where about 20–25% of patients struggle with considerable WR after BS”
View in Article
And a big 77% regain weight when relying only on diet & exercise.[39]BMC Obesity
Weight loss and weight gain among participants in a community-based weight loss Challenge
“40.3% gained back some weight, and 37.3% gained back all or more of the weight they lost during their first Challenge.”
View in Article
FAQs
Is weight-loss surgery better than diet and exercise?
Weight loss surgery is better than diet & exercise if
- you’re obese (BMI > 35)
- have failed to lose weight naturally.
Here’s a table summarizing why bariatric surgery will be right for you.
| Diet | Bariatric Surgery |
|---|---|
| Works short-term. | You lose weight for years to come. |
| Weight regain is likely. | It’s easier to keep weight off. |
| Initial weight loss is challenging. | Initial weight loss is faster & encouraging. |
Why do people get gastric bypass instead of dieting?
People may choose gastric bypass instead of dieting because they:
- Have tried dieting, and it didn’t work.
- Need urgent weight loss due to co-morbidities making life tough.
- Know that gastric bypass is more effective than dieting.[40]American Diabetes Association
Weight Loss by Low-Calorie Diet Versus Gastric Bypass Surgery in People With Diabetes Results in Divergent Brain Activation Patterns
“Sixteen participants underwent gastric bypass surgery, and 19 …undertook a VLCD (meal replacement) for 4 weeks… weight regain after a short-term VLCD…enduring weight loss after RYGB.”
View in Article
Is weight loss surgery worth the risk?
Weight loss surgery is worth the risk because its benefits outweigh any possible complications.[41]Frontiers
Physical and Psychological Effects of Bariatric Surgery on Obese Adolescents: A Review
“Bariatric surgery…effective treatment methods for obesity…evidence of long-term physical and psychological benefits…supports the notion that the rewards…outweigh the risks.”
View in Article
You should also consider the risks of obesity and compare them.
The higher your BMI over 30, the more risk you have of issues like diabetes, heart failure, and cancer.
Is eating less the same as bariatric surgery?
No, eating less is not the same as having bariatric surgery.
Getting a weight loss surgery that reduces your stomach size will make you eat less. But, in general, eating less refers to calorie restriction dieting.
Final Thoughts on Diet vs. Bariatric Surgery
If diet and exercise are not working for you, bariatric surgery will help!
It helps keep the weight off, not just for months but years to come.
Time to end this battle between diet vs. bariatric surgery and welcome joyful health!
Take the next step by filling out this pre-bariatric questionnaire. Our case manager will get back to you.
References
- Wiley Online Library: Is Visceral Abdominal Fat Area a Better Indicator for Hyperglycemic Risk?
- Open Access Text: Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
- Plos Medicine: Weight Loss Strategies, Weight Change, and Type 2 Diabetes
- Lung India: Clinical Impact of Obesity on Respiratory Diseases
- CDC: Leading Causes of Death
- Medline Plus: LDL: The “Bad” Cholesterol
- American Stroke Association: Risk Factors Under Your Control
- NCBI: Ketogenic Diet
- NCBI: Advantages and Disadvantages of the Ketogenic Diet
- ASMBS: Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery
- Nature: Seven-Year Trajectories of Body Weight, Quality of Life and Comorbidities Following Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass and Sleeve Gastrectomy
- ASMBS: Bariatric Surgery Procedures
- NCBI: Endoscopic Intragastric Balloon: A Gimmick or a Viable Option for Obesity?
- MDPI: A Review on Tactile Displays for Conventional Laparoscopic Surgery
- NCBI: Diet Approach Before and After Bariatric Surgery
- NHS: Afterwards – Weight Loss Surgery
- AHA Journals: Comparative Effectiveness of Gastric Bypass and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy for Hypertension Remission and Relapse
- Research Square: Risk of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury in Obese Population
- Science Direct: Long-Term Durability of Weight Loss After Bariatric Surgery
- Science Daily: After 30 Years – New Guidelines for Weight-Loss Surgery
- Research Gate: Proposal for an Index for Predicting the Success of Sleeve Gastrectomy
- MDPI: Retrospective Study 5-Year Follow-Up After Sleeve Gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass
- Springer Link: What Predicts the Unsuccess of Bariatric Surgery? An Observational Retrospective Study
- MDPI: Five-Year Outcomes in Bariatric Surgery Patients
- BMJ: Comparison of Dietary Macronutrient Patterns of 14 Popular Named Dietary Programmes for Weight and Cardiovascular Risk Factor Reduction in Adults
- NCBI: Weight Regain and Insufficient Weight Loss After Bariatric Surgery
- BMC Obesity: Weight Loss and Weight Gain Among Participants in a Community-Based Weight Loss Challenge
- American Diabetes Association: Weight Loss by Low-Calorie Diet Versus Gastric Bypass Surgery in People With Diabetes Results in Divergent Brain Activation Patterns
- Frontiers: Physical and Psychological Effects of Bariatric Surgery on Obese Adolescents
