Could More People Benefit From Bariatric Surgery?

Although weight loss surgery has proved its positive effects, such procedures could be more widely available and patients still get turned down because their body mass index (BMI) is not high enough.

However, according to new research by Swedish Sahlgrenska Academy, weight-loss surgery performed on patients with a lower BMI than required can dramatically reduce the risk of developing diabetes and other health conditions.

For their study researchers looked at 104 patients who were given weight loss surgery even though their BMI was considered too low. The results showed that the risk of developing diabetes was cut by 67% over a period of 15 years following the procedure.

In many countries, including the UK, patients need to have a BMI of at least 40 to be eligible for surgery. Patients between 35 and 40 could be approved for the procedure, if they also have a serious health condition, such as type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure.

Researchers at Sahlgrenska Academy believe that these requirements need to be changed as they have not taken into account any scientific data. The benefits of bariatric surgery are not restricted to patients whose BMI falls within the recommended levels. In fact, the positive effects were the same amongst those who were eligible for the procedure and those whose BMI was not high enough, the study revealed.