Liposuction News
Obesity Surgery on the Rise in U.S.
The number of Americans undergoing weight loss surgery is on the rise, according to a report released Wednesday. In 2004 alone, more than 120,000 Americans underwent some type of surgery to assist weight loss.
Gastric bypass is currently among the most popular weight loss surgery. Between 1998 and 2004, the number of people aged 55 to 64 who had gastric bypass jumped from 772 to 15,086.
Lower Mortality Rates
According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, one of the reasons for such significant increases is that “the mortality outcomes from obesity surgery have improved greatly.”
In the United States, the death rate for bariatric surgery patients dropped from 0.9 percent to 0.2 percent – a total drop of 78 percent from 1998 to 2004.
Trends
The majority of patients opting for weight loss surgery are between the ages of 18 and 54, the study showed. However, the number of adolescents aged 12 to 17 who are having weight loss surgery is also growing.
"As the rate of obesity continues to climb, the healthcare system needs to be prepared for continued escalation in the rate of this surgery and its potential complications,"said Dr. Carolyn Clancy, agency director.
Plastic Surgery
Many patients who have bariatric surgery or similar operation to lose large amounts of weight often require plastic surgery to remove pounds of excess skin. Liposuction is not a weight loss treatment but can help eliminate stubborn, isolated pockets of fat in people who have achieved their optimal weight.
For more information about post-bariatric plastic surgery from a board certified plastic surgeon near you, please contact us today.
