Bariatric surgery improves weight and metabolic health in Korean patients

A multi-center study involving nine medical institutions in South Korea has demonstrated significant health improvements in patients undergoing bariatric metabolic surgery. The research, led by Professor Choi Seong-il of Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong, tracked 116 patients with severe obesity for up to two years.

Findings published in the journal ‘Obesity Surgery’ show that after one year, patients experienced an average weight reduction of 26.8%. This effect remained stable, with a 24.7% reduction observed at the two-year mark. The study also highlighted substantial improvements in metabolic conditions: 80.7% of patients with type 2 diabetes were able to stop medication, while approximately 50% of patients with hypertension and hyperlipidemia also discontinued their respective treatments.

Beyond physical metrics, the study noted improvements in quality of life, specifically regarding physical function, social difficulties, and self-esteem. The research reported no deaths during the study period and no serious complications classified as Clavien-Dindo grade 3 or higher.