According to a study released by the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI), bariatric surgery in Canada is a better and more viable option for obese patients now more than ever before. Using mainly administrative data, the study examines and describes several aspects of patients' hospital experiences and outcomes.

Among the study's main findings, it was found that in 2012-2013, there were 6,000 bariatric surgeries performed in Canada alone! This constitues a growth of 400% from just 2006-2007. This can be attributed to the in part to the growing concern over rising obesity rates in Canada, and the continuing interest and attention in bariatric surgery by the public in recent years. Moreover, it was found that the typical bariatric surgery patient is a 40-year-old woman who has obesity and other obesity related illnesses.

Overall, the study shows that complication and readmission rates have vastly declined over time and that these rates are comparable to those reported in other countries. In other words, Bariatric surgeons are getting better at what they do as the field is maturing. They are finding new and improved ways to save lives every single day.

For people with moderate to severe obesity, bariatric surgery really is an effective tool for long-term weight loss, yet it is important to stress that this is a lifelong commitment. Surgery alone cannot complete the job entirely; diet change and healthier lifestyle choices are also a must.

The report states that the rise of bariatric surgeries in Canada is due largely to increased funding, surgical capacity and treatment programs in some provinces, most notable Ontario and Quebec. It is also estimated that as much as 1,000 of those 6,000 procedures performed in Canada were done so in private clinics.

Written by Guillaume Lapointe-Gagner

Source: Bariatric News