New Study Confirms Safety and Efficacy of Bariatric Surgery for High BMI Patients

A recent study led by Dr. Florina Corpodean at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center reveals the efficacy and safety of metabolic and bariatric surgery for patients with a **BMI of 70 or above**. Published in *Obesity Surgery: The Journal of Metabolic Surgery and Allied Care*, the study examined data from 84 patients, concluding that these surgical interventions are largely secure for individuals experiencing severe obesity. **Post-surgery complications were notably low, with a serious complication rate of just 0.7% within 30 days.** While patients showed high emergency visit rates, the surgery's benefits in significant and lasting weight loss remain evident up to the first year post-operation. The research stresses that despite the high risks associated with elevated BMIs, the advantages outweigh possible complications. Dr. Philip Schauer emphasized that such findings should encourage more confidence among healthcare professionals when recommending these surgical options. The study underscores the necessity of further research and aims to foster a broader understanding and acceptance of bariatric and metabolic surgery as viable treatments for severe obesity.