5 Bariatric Surgery Myths, Debunked
The truth about bariatric surgery
Even with the rise in weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, bariatric surgery continues to increase in practice and popularity.
One bariatric surgeon and director of the Center for Metabolic and Weight Loss Surgery reported this year that while the increase in popular GLP-1 medications may be causing a temporary lull in bariatric surgery growth, he doesn’t see this surgery going away anytime soon.
Rather, with insurance barring more and more people from using those medications, he believes the bariatric surgery trend will start to tick upward again. Another surgeon, in response to the rising usage of GLP-1 drugs, recently told a medical journal that bariatric surgery “remains the most effective and durable treatment for obesity.”
(Read our post on the best choice between GLP-1 medications and bariatric surgery.)
The number of individuals who meet NIH criteria for bariatric surgery tripled from 1993 to 2016, one study found, yet only around 1% of those eligible are opting into it. The latest data from the World Health Organization states that about one in eight individuals is living with obesity, while two-and-a-half billion adults and more than 400 million children are overweight.
Bariatric surgery gets a bad rap in many circles, possibly due to the word “surgery” being attached to it, or because of fears around cultural acceptance.
But misconceptions about the practice can deter people from getting what’s ultimately a safe, reliable, and sometimes necessary form of treatment for obesity and other related health concerns, such as diabetes and cancer. These misconceptions can also prevent employers and medical providers from offering the best options to staffers and patients.
Below, we outline five of the most commonly spoken about myths around bariatric surgery—and explain why they’re wrong or worth reconsidering.
Myth #1: Bariatric surgery is “the easy way out”
Bariatric surgery is by no means “easy” or a “simple” choice. This long-held belief comes with the stigma that someone who undergoes bariatric surgery didn’t consider other options first, or wants a quick solution to tackling obesity.
Even though the procedure is most often done laparoscopically, where a small tube with a camera is inserted into tiny incisions, it’s still considered a major surgery, as you’re put under anesthesia, it takes several hours to complete, and recovery is a few days’ time. The risks are much like any other surgery: clots, infection, and other side effects or results. (That said, the shift to laparoscopic surgery has significantly improved patient pain and other outcomes.)
It’s also not for everyone: To qualify for bariatric surgery, you have to meet certain medical parameters, such as a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher or a lower BMI alongside severe health issues such as high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes. A potential patient may also receive an evaluation to rule out eating disorders or other physical and mental health problems that could prevent the surgery from taking place or being effective.
Before and after the procedure, patients often have to change their lifestyle habits, such as what they eat and how much they exercise—and like any big change, this kind of behavioral shift takes time, patience, and sometimes extreme effort.
To put it simply, bariatric surgery is a tool to encourage weight loss, not the ultimate hack. Patients still have to take great care in making the decision to have the surgery.
Myth #2: Bariatric surgery is only for vanity
Many people may choose to undergo bariatric surgery for reasons related to their physical appearance. This is nothing to be ashamed of. However, the surgery comes with so much more in terms of health benefits.
It can lower the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. It can resolve or improve sleep apnea, type 2 diabetes, joint pain, and skin conditions like psoriasis.
It can lead to a longer lifespan: Those who are considered morbidly obese and don’t receive bariatric surgery actually have a much higher risk of mortality, and other research suggests that bariatric surgery can reduce the death rate for conditions such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, and diabetes.
One study published in March found that seven years after bariatric surgery, 18% of individuals no longer had signs or symptoms of diabetes—compared to 6% of people who took alternative routes such as medicine or lifestyle changes. Those who underwent surgery also had an average weight loss of 20%, compared to 8% in the lifestyle group. There were no differences in major side effects between the two groups.
Another NIH study published more recently reported that young people see significant gains post-bariatric surgery. Participants with an average age of 17 sustained an average reduction of 20%in BMI, 55% in type 2 diabetes, 57% in hypertension, and 54% in abnormal cholesterol after 10 years.
The surgery isn’t also just about limiting how much someone can eat—its main goal is to decrease appetite. One bariatric surgeon noted in an interview with the American Medical Association in 2023 that this reduces the stress associated with hunger, which in turn improves our metabolism and other aspects of our minds and bodies.
Myth #3: Bariatric surgery patients will never struggle with weight gain again
Despite its many upsides, bariatric surgery isn’t a magic fix, nor will it lead to the same results for everyone. Some patients experience weight gain after receiving bariatric surgery, which is why it’s highly recommended that the procedure be paired with a commitment to changing one’s lifestyle and habits.
In a 2011 study, researchers discovered that 59% of participants experienced significant weight regain after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery. Another earlier report found that the failure rate for patients after 10 years was about 20% for morbidly obese patients and almost 35% for super obese patients.
Myth #4: Bariatric surgery is extremely dangerous
All major surgeries, including bariatric surgery, come with some level of risk. But overall, the procedure has been deemed incredibly safe—largely because it’s done laparoscopically, so it’s minimally invasive, and because it’s performed so often, which has been shown to improve outcomes and reduce complications.
As we’ve mentioned, mortality is much more of a risk for those who don’t receive surgery: A 2004 study reported a mortality rate of 0.68% for those who went through bariatric surgery, a significant difference when compared with the mortality rate of 6.17% for obese patients who didn’t undergo treatment.
Meanwhile, a 2020 report found that complication rates for bariatric surgery sit at around 1%, and the average patient stays in the hospital for less than two days post-procedure. Another report this year by the Washington State Health Care Authority (WSHCA) notes that hospital readmissions only occur in 3% of bariatric surgery patients. Even better news? The readmission rate for members who go through Carrum Health for bariatric surgery is 1.2%—less than half the rate in the WSHCA report. (It’s important to note that Carrum connects members to only the highest quality bariatric surgeons, which is critical when it comes to the safety of a procedure.)
Myth #5: Bariatric surgery is only for the morbidly obese
It’s commonly misunderstood that bariatric surgery is only for individuals who qualify as class III or morbidly obese, or someone with a BMI of 40 or higher. But, as mentioned above, those with a BMI between 35 to 40 can also get bariatric surgery if they also have other obesity-related health conditions.
And many people with a BMI lower than 35 choose to undergo the surgery to address health concerns related to their weight—in fact, some types of bariatric procedures are specifically targeted at this group, such as sleeve gastrectomies, which come with the fewest complications and some of the most effective results for weight loss.
Note, too, that some bariatric surgeons might also have a weight maximum for patients to meet in order to move forward.
Bariatric surgery isn’t purely cosmetic, nor is it a procedure patients should be deterred from or scared of. While it won’t be a standalone solution, it can be a huge help in a person’s journey toward losing weight and reducing pain, discomfort, and health risks. With better education and acceptance of what this surgery entails, employers, providers, and other patient support systems can ensure people feel confident and at ease with their decision.
Learn more about Carrum’s valued-based substance use treatment program.
The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only. No material is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
