Ageing after Bariatric Surgery: What do we know?

Have you ever thought about what it’s like getting older after weight loss surgery? The average age to have WLS is around 45, so that leaves a good 40+ years of life to live after surgery for most.  So, what happens 30-40 years after surgery?  Bariatric surgery was first developed in the 1950s, but it’s only been in the last 20-25 years that it has become more common. Because of that, we don’t have a lot of information or studies on what happens over the decades following WLS. That said, there are a few things we do know that you should be aware of. 

Improved Signs of Ageing after WLS

We don’t often talk about this, but it’s actually pretty amazing! Weight loss improves signs of premature ageing after bariatric surgery.  There are certain markers that researchers look at – down to our genes – to determine how our bodies are ageing, such as specific signs of inflammation and telomere length (which are part of our chromosomes). Studies show reduced inflammation, longer telomeres (which is good!), and improvement in other health markers like blood glucose and cholesterol levels after WLS. These are just some of the reasons why bariatric surgery is good for your health long-term. 

Better Health and Longer Life

There is a long list of benefits of WLS other than weight loss. We see long-term improvements in: Type 2 diabetes. PCOS.  Heart burn/GERD.  Sleep apnea. Non-alcoholic fatty live disease (NAFLD).  Arthritis. Migraines. Hypertension. Heart disease. This list goes on and on.  It also increases life expectancy by about 5-10 years!  So while there is not a lot of information on what happens 30 years after bariatric surgery, it appears that getting older after weight loss surgery means that you a live longer, healthier life compared to not having surgery! That said, making sure you take care of yourself and give your body what it needs is extra important due to the increased risk of nutritional deficiencies after surgery.

Increased Risk of Deficiencies = Take Your Bariatric Vitamins!

We talk about this a lot. Bariatric surgery reduces the absorption of many vitamins and minerals including iron, calcium, vitamin B12, vitamin D, folic acid, and more.  This can result in anaemia, osteoporosis, increased risk for fractures, and nerve damage to name a few.  In a study from 2016 of WLS patient, 87% of them had nutritional deficiencies at 10-13 years after surgery. 87%!  Imagine what that could look like at 20 or 30 years after surgery.  That is why it is so incredibly important to eat a healthy diet, take your bariatric supplements, and get your labs checked at least once a year.   

• Need help remembering to take your supplements?  BariBuddy can help! 
• Don’t know which labs to have done? Find out here.
• How about restocking your bariatric vitamins and minerals? We’ve got you covered!

From what we can tell, ageing after bariatric surgery looks like you’ll continue to follow the same healthy road you’re already on! Just make sure you keep up those healthy habits and find the support you need along the way. Cheers!