Weight Loss Surgery Helps Avoid Heart Disease in Youngsters

Level of good cholesterol bettered in teens than in adults. Found in a clinical study.
A new study revealed that teen that underwent gastric bypass surgery (Roux-en-Y) had healthier heart condition than adults with same surgery. Cardiac risk factors were seen lower in youngsters than in adults.
Roux-en Y is a type of gastric bypass surgery. New route is created near bowel so that food can bypass small intestine. This way it reduces capacity of stomach.

The study included evaluation of heart health of total 132 patients who had had laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass in 2004 and 2010. Of them, 99 were adults and 33 were teens of age between 14-18 years. The study was due to represent at Digestive Disease Week conference in Chicago.

The researchers of bariatric surgery department at Stanford University reported hypertension, high cholesterol level and breathing problem during sleep (known as sleep apnea) in almost 66 patients before surgery.

All the patients were examined one year after the surgery. Level of cholesterol, homocysteine and triglycerides had improved in both teens and adults. Level of homocysteine is used to determine risk of cardiovascular events.

However, checkup concluded more improvement in young patients. Level of high density lipoprotein was higher than level in adults. More surprisingly developing insulin resistance lowered by 400% within the time of one year.

The study clearly indicated that having done gastric bypass surgery can be good for obese teens. More and more evidence on what triggers heart diseases are coming to the fore. Dedicated efforts must be made before it is too late to act.

Authors also delivered word of caution that surgery should only be considered when obesity pose life threatening conditions and patient fail to respond exercise along with weight loss medicines such as generic Acomplia or Alli.