Weight loss is very important in preventing metabolic syndrome. There are two types of bariatric surgery (also known as weight-reducing surgery) that can help you lose weight if you are very overweight. Click on the links for detailed fact sheets on each.

  • Gastric bypass—This procedure involves stapling the stomach to make it smaller, allowing you to only eat small portions of food and preventing some of the calories from being absorbed.
  • Laparoscopic vertical banded gastroplasty—Both a band and a staple are used to make the stomach into a small pouch, allowing you to only eat small portions of food and preventing some calories from being absorbed.

Studies have found that weight loss through bariatric surgery significantly reduced the risk factors for metabolic syndrome. The weight loss surgery improved insulin resistance and lowered the chance of metabolic syndrome because blood pressure was lowered and the amount of fats in the blood also decreased. It is very important that the weight loss be maintained to reap the benefits.

You will have to discuss with your doctor the risks and benefits of surgery versus the traditional way of losing weight through diet and exercise.