Bariatric surgery can provide valuable benefits to the brain

At bariatric facilities like Dr. Feiz and Associates, the life-changing benefits of bariatric surgery, including reduced risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and endocrine disorders are well established. After all, Michael Feiz, M.D., F.A.C.S. has successfully treated thousands of patients through bariatric procedures like Lap Band, sleeve gastrectomy and related revision treatments. However, a recent study published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism has found that above and beyond these well-known health benefits, bariatric surgery can provide valuable benefits to the brain as well.

In the study, Cercato and her colleagues evaluated 17 obese women to determine the effect of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery on brain function. Science World Report reports that they used PET scans and neuropsychological tests to assess brain function and activity in participants before bariatric surgery and 6 months after. The study showed significant weight loss, as well as improvements in metabolism and inflammatory parameters – results that have been well-documented among patients of weight loss surgeons like Dr. Michael Feiz. However, researchers also found significant increases in performance on various assessments that test mental faculties.

"When we studied obese women prior to bariatric surgery, we found some areas of their brains metabolized sugars at a higher rate than normal-weight women," says Cintia Cercato, MD, PhD from the University of Sao Paolo in Brazil and author in the study. She explains that obesity can cause altered activity in a part of the brain – the posterior cingulate gyrus – that's associated with Alzheimer's disease.

"Our findings suggest the brain is another organ that benefits from weight loss induced by surgery," says Dr. Cercato. Essentially, the results of the study seem to suggest that suffering from obesity might force the brain to work harder to perform cognitive tasks – an issue that can be reversed by the sort of bariatric weight loss surgeries performed at Dr. Feiz and Associates.

The dangers of obesity and excess weight are well-documented – including a greater potential for type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and even a potential for a dramatically shortened life. That's why it is so heartening to learn of the benefits of bariatric surgery towards improving the quality of one's life – particularly when performed by a skilled surgeon like Dr. Feiz. The world-class surgeon is an active and highly respected member of the American Society for Bariatric Surgery and the American College of Surgeons, a fact that provides great peace–of-mind to patients who are looking to improve their health and quality of life through bariatric treatment.

At times, the stress and health issues that come about due to obesity or excess weight can seem overwhelming. Fortunately, there is always hope thanks to expert weight loss surgeons like Dr. Feiz – and as more benefits of bariatric surgery become clear, there's never been a better time to contact the surgeon for a consultation.