Losing weight through weight loss surgery significantly improves many aspects of your physical health and well-being. Bariatric surgery can lead to positive changes in your personal life, mental health, your senses, and more. If you are considering weight loss surgery check out some of the lesser known rewards and other changes that come after undergoing weight loss surgery:

• • Better Sleep. Many people who are obese have trouble sleeping. This is often because of sleep apnea, a difficulty breathing in your sleep that’s more common in overweight people. One of the lesse known rewards of Weight Loss Surgery is that can ease those breathing troubles. Patients that underwent bariatric surgery, are more likely to stay asleep through the night. And this obviously leads to feeling more alert and well rested throughout the next day.
  • Better Mood. Weight loss improves your mood, self-esteem and overall mental health. In a survey conducted among My New Body Obesity Center patients, 3 months after weight loss surgery, they reported less tension, depression, anger, and fatigue.
  • A Different Taste in Food. Obesity can alter your sense of taste. Studies show that people after weight loss surgery, don’t taste things the same way. Fat and sugars might not taste as good as they use to do.
  • Brain Performance. Obesity is linked  with memory troubles, decreased thinking skills, and overall brain function. A small study showed that after losing weight, the patients did better on memory tests. Certain parts of their brain also became more active after the weight loss.
  • Better Sex. People who are overweght commonly report low libido or almost no interest in sex . Also, obese men may struggle with erectile dysfunction. Fortunately, Bariatric surgery  can help. Several studies have shown that that weight loss surgery can improve  the quality of bariatric patients sex life.
  • Reduced Health Risks. Weight loss Surgery can reduce your blood pressure and cholesterol. It can also diminish risk for diabetes, heart disease, stroke, gallbladder disease, and osteoarthritis.
  • Reduced Cancer Risk. People who suffer from obesitt are more likely to get many types of cancer. Weight loss Surgery can lower your risk for breast, endometrial, colon, prostate, and other cancers. Even if you do get cancer, you’ll have better odds if you fight the disease at a healthier weight.
  • Body Temperature Changes. Scientists have tied body temperature to obesity in men and post-menopausal women. (Menstrual cycles might help regulate body temperature in other women.) Data suggest that a higher body mass index is connected to higher body temperature. If you lose a lot of weight, you might notice yourself feeling cooler.

Sources:
Nam S, Stewart KJ, Dobrosielski DA. Lifestyle Intervention for Sleep Disturbances Among Overweight or Obese Individuals. Behav Sleep Med. 2016;14(3):343-350. doi:10.1080/15402002.2015.1007992Payne ME, Porter Starr KN, Orenduff M, Mulder HS, McDonald SR, Spira AP, Pieper CF, Bales CW. Quality of Life and Mental Health in Older Adults with Obesity and Frailty: Associations with a Weight Loss Intervention. J Nutr Health Aging. 2018;22(10):1259-1265. doi: 10.1007/s12603-018-1127-0. PMID: 30498835; PMCID: PMC6444357.
Kaufman A, Choo E, Koh A, Dando R. Inflammation arising from obesity reduces taste bud abundance and inhibits renewal. PLoS Biol. 2018 Mar 20;16(3):e2001959. doi: 10.1371/journal.pbio.2001959. PMID: 29558472; PMCID: PMC5860696.

Reviewed by Monica Valencia, MD on November 17 2021.