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!
Testimonial for Gastric Sleeve in Tijuana Mexico (Happy - Returns with Friend!)
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!
How 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:
If you have abdominal obesity, there's a high risk of developing diabetes.[1]
Abdominal fat hampers the function of cells that respond to insulin. Thus, leading to insulin resistance - a significant reason behind diabetes.[2]
Did you know?
You can lower the risk of diabetes by 16% for every kg (2.2 pounds) you lose.[3]
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]
All the obese patients had various kinds of respiratory issues. Primarily, they suffered from sleep apnea syndrome & asthma.[5]
Stroke is the 5th leading cause of death in the US.[6] One factor that plays a role in this is obesity.
Being obese raises bad cholesterol (LDL) & lowers good cholesterol (HDL).[7] 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]
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]
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]
Take your doctor's advice before you start. Keto may not suit your medication.
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]
The benefits are incredible for those with issues like hypertension and diabetes on top.[12]
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]
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]
A smaller stomach means you feel full faster.
Also, the part that’s removed produces the hunger hormone.[15]
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]
It's also effective in relieving obesity-related conditions.[17]
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] All these procedures use a laparoscopic surgery method. It's less invasive & allows faster healing.[19]
Scared of incisions? Check out a new weight loss procedure called ESG.
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.
First 24 hours: Start with a low-sugar clear liquid diet.
Next 2-4 weeks: Start eating soft and creamy foods.[20] Eventually, move to solid chewable items like cheese. Make sure to avoid high-carb foods like white bread. They could block your stomach.[21]
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] 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] 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]
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] But if you are still in doubt, let’s make the decision easier.
Let's check the eligibility criteria!
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
Have a BMI > 35? You are eligible for surgery whether you have co-morbidities or not.[26]
You are also eligible if your BMI is between 30 to 34.9 & you have failed to lose weight naturally.[27] Our partner clinics have helped many patients with BMI > 30.
Are You Eligible for Weight Loss Surgery?
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
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] | 88%[29] |
*%EWL is a common metric used to measure weight loss resulting from weight loss surgery.[30]
90% of patients who get surgery are satisfied. In contrast, only 4% of those who lose weight through non-surgical methods are happy.[31]
Diets work only for up to 18 months.[32] Bariatric surgery will help you lose weight for ~ 5 years if not more.[33]
The avg BMI reduced from 43.25 before surgery to 30.66 after five years.
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]
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! Bariatric surgery reduces the risk of premature death by 30 to 50%.[35]
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]
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]
Also, only 20 to 25% of bariatric patients regain some weight.[38] And a big 77% regain weight when relying only on diet & exercise.[39]
FAQs
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. |
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]
Weight loss surgery is worth the risk because its benefits outweigh any possible complications.[41]
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.
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!
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