Weight loss surgery reduces the risk of premature death, according to a new study published in the journal Obesity. Researchers at the University of Utah analyzed 40 years of data from almost 22,000 people who had bariatric surgery. They found that people who underwent one of four types of weight loss surgery were 16 percent less likely to die from any cause. More impressive was the decrease in deaths linked to obesity. Deaths from cardiovascular disease decreased almost 30 percent, and deaths from various cancers decreased by over 40 percent. And there was a 72 percent drop in deaths associated with diabetes. The researchers did observe that younger people who had weight loss surgery had a higher risk of suicide. This data stresses the importance of those struggling with obesity to talk to their doctors to see if treatments such as weight loss medications, and even surgery, are an appropriate option.
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