Bariatric Surgery and Hormonal Imbalance: Understanding the Impact on Your Body
Bariatric surgery is a lifeline for obese people who want to lose significant weight and maintain a healthier lifestyle. It is a proven and successful weight-loss option. It also aids in improving various medical conditions related to obesity like diabetes, hypertension, PCOS, and heart problems.
Nearly 5 lakh people around the world had various types of bariatric surgeries in 2023, which shows growing acceptance as the best obesity treatment.
However, experts say that the benefits of these bariatric procedures are beyond losing weight—they can trigger hormonal changes in your body. This is because bariatric surgery involves altering the structure of the digestive system, which impacts several hormonal levels in the body.
Knowing about these hormonal changes is very important because they can influence your metabolic health, improve insulin sensitivity, and provide various other health benefits. However, the specific changes rely on various factors like type of bariatric procedure, age, ethnicity, and existing hormone imbalances. If you can understand the effects of these changes, you can manage your weight loss and health goals.
Impact of bariatric surgery on hormone levels
The hormones that control your appetite, metabolism, and blood sugar can be impacted post-bariatric surgery. Some common hormonal changes post-bariatric surgery are as follows:
Ghrelin
This hormone is produced in the stomach, and it promotes hunger. The levels of ghrelin decrease after bariatric surgery, which reduces hunger.
Insulin
This hormone is produced by beta cells in the pancreas. It controls blood sugar levels. Type 2 diabetes is a condition that develops when the body fails to use insulin properly or has improper insulin production. Obesity is one cause of developing type 2 diabetes. However, following bariatric surgery, the sensitivity of this hormone improves and also reduces insulin resistance.
Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1)
This hormone is released in small and large intestines when you consume food. One of the main functions of GLP-1 is to stimulate insulin production. Bariatric surgery can increase the production of GLP-1, which in turn improves insulin production and lowers hunger levels.
Leptin
This hormone is produced by fat cells. The main function of this hormone is to control energy balance by reducing hunger and spending more energy. Obesity increases leptin resistance. After bariatric surgery, the level of leptin stabilises, which helps to lose weight.
Cortisol
This hormone is produced by the adrenal glands. The main function is to control metabolism and the body’s stress response. Bariatric surgery can reduce cortisol levels, which helps to lose weight.
Impact of these hormonal changes on health
These hormonal changes, which develop post-bariatric surgery, have positive effects on several aspects of health.
- A decrease in ghrelin hormone and an increase in GLP-1 hormone level post-weight surgery can reduce hunger and increase fullness.
- Metabolic improvements like insulin sensitivity and glucose control can be enhanced after surgery.
- Helps to lose weight as hormones regulate appetite and metabolism after surgery. It also improves various obesity-related conditions.
- Bariatric surgery has positive effects on mood, mental health, and overall quality of life.
- Provides long-term health benefits in addition to weight loss.
- Bariatric surgery can influence the gut microbiome, a group of microorganisms located in the digestive tract. Hormonal changes can affect metabolism and inflammation.
- Improves cardiovascular health by reducing adiposity.
- Reduces risk of developing cancer
- Improved bone health, for instance, increases in GLP-1 levels might stimulate bone formation.
Managing hormonal changes
Follow the post-surgery diet plan and exercise regimen as suggested by your surgeon and nutritionist.
Visit your doctor for follow-up appointments frequently so that they can evaluate your recovery progress and make adjustments accordingly if needed.
Drink more water—at least 8-10 glasses every day. Staying hydrated, especially following surgery, is very essential to manage hormonal changes and promote weight loss.
Protein is an important source to improve healing. After surgery, make sure you include recommended levels of protein in your diet.
Stress can impact your weight loss and hormonal balance. Find stress-management techniques like meditation and deep breathing exercises. Counselling sessions can also help with hormonal balance and recovery.
It might be hard to adapt to the hormonal fluctuations that happen after bariatric surgery. Be patient; you can manage them and reach your weight loss goals.
Bariatric surgery contributes in many ways to weight loss, where hormonal changes are one of them. Hormonal changes might vary depending on the type of bariatric surgery. These hormonal changes influence major functions in the body, which aid in weight management and promote general health. For detailed information or looking for the best weight loss surgeon in Hyderabad, consult Dr. V Pareek; he has more than 18 years of experience as a bariatric surgeon who performed thousands of surgeries successfully.
