Weight Loss Surgery May Help Bring The Romance Back In Some Relationships

New findings published in the journal Obesity Surgery show that weight loss surgery can help bring a spark back into romance. Researchers of East Carolina University examined new insights into the experience of couples after one of their partners underwent gastric bypass surgery.

For the study, they interviewed 10 couples about the effects of weight loss surgery that one of the partners had undergone. All of the patients and their significant others viewed the surgery as well as subsequent adjustments that might take place post op, and worked together as a team to meet any necessary issues.

All participant described ways in which their partners helped support them or offered assistance with their new routine.

"All of the couples felt their post-operative success was due to a joint effort on the part of both members of the couple," lead study author Mary Lisa Pories of East Carolina University, in a news release. 

According to Pories, the study provides important insight on the effects of weight loss surgery among couples and may also help healthcare workers in providing motivational support for their patients.

Gastric bypass surgery involves two parts; the first is "stomach stapling" which creates a pouch to hep control the amount of food a patient can take in, while the second is a surgical technique known as "Roux-en-Y," which attaches the new stomach pouch farther down the small intestine. This helps the food quickly pass while restraining the amount of calories and nutrients the body needs to properly absorb.

There are complications that patients can experience while recovering from the surgery. Some minor complications include: ulcers, bleeding, digestive problems and wound infections. Only less than 6 percent of patients experience serious complications such as blood clot, serious bleeding or infection, heart attack and leakage.

Other difficulties that can happen after surgery may also include malabsorption of nutrients i.e. iron and calcium, which can then lead to anemia and osteoporosis.

Related Articles

Bariatric Surgery Helps Patients With Joint Problems, Asthma Issues

For more great science stories and general news, please visit our sister site, Headlines and Global News (HNGN).