Improved Overall Health Might Lower Risk of Severe COVID Complications
A recent study determined that COVID-19 patients who had successful bariatric surgery with substantial weight loss had better recoveries from the disease.
Specifically, those patients had a 49% lower risk of hospitalization, a 63% lower need for supplemental oxygen, and a 60% lower risk of severe COVID-19 infection, as reported by the Journal of the American Medical Association-Surgery from the Cleveland Clinic Health System.
“Those are promising numbers,” said Kevin Wasco, MD, F.A.C.S., co-medical director of the ThedaCare Bariatric Program. “It makes sense if people have lost a substantial amount of weight that they’ll likely do better fighting diseases like COVID-19 because they are healthier overall. This is an early, retrospective study with limited numbers, but it is very encouraging. It certainly sets up the need to do more studies with bigger numbers, which I understand are already underway.”
Numerous reports have established an association between obesity and severe COVID-19 disease. With more than 40% of Americans considered obese, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a significant number of people are at risk for more severe COVID-19 infections because of their weight and comorbidities.
The objective of this study was to examine the association between successful weight loss intervention and improved COVID-19 related outcomes. Two separate groups of patients – 11,809 people in total – were monitored. A quarter of those patients had weight-loss (metabolic) surgery prior to the pandemic – between 2004 and 2017; three-quarters did not have surgery, relying instead on other weight-loss activities. The surgery group lost 18.6% more weight than the non-surgery group.
“Many studies have shown that people who have metabolic surgery followed by substantial weight loss significantly reduce their comorbidities,” Dr. Wasco said. “Their diabetes, joint health, hypertension and hormonal status likely improve. Their pulmonary and cardiac systems function better, and we now think their ability to fight off cancer may improve as well.”
Dr. Wasco observed this study seems to indicate that weight-loss patients are better prepared to fight off COVID – better prepared to deal with pulmonary issues and maybe clotting issues. That suggests having the surgery sooner rather than later is important.
In concluding their report, the authors wrote, “The findings of this study emphasize the need to address obesity in an expeditious and comprehensive manner. As a complex, chronic, progressive, and costly disease that can affect many organ systems, obesity requires a multidisciplinary and individualized management approach (including lifestyle and behavioral interventions, pharmacotherapy, and weight-loss surgery) that is based on the patient’s condition.”
Dr. Wasco agreed.
“The most effective weight-loss programs combine nutrition, diet and exercise with education and counseling in conjunction with surgery, if needed,” he said. “That is what we focus on within the ThedaCare Bariatric Program. Our team of nurses, dietitians, behavioral health counselors, exercise specialists, insurance experts and surgeons work together to ensure our patients are supported before and after surgery in all aspects of weight loss, both physically and mentally.”
Dr. Wasco noted this study also suggests prevention should be a focus as well.
“We continually stress the importance of taking preventive actions to avoid obesity,” he said. “That is part of ThedaCare’s commitment to Population Health in general. However, there are a lot of people who have tried many options for weight loss and have, unfortunately, not been successful. They don’t choose to be obese. For those people, this study suggests having metabolic surgery might be a good defense against illnesses like COVID-19.”
Some of the services the ThedaCare Bariatric Program provides in preparation for surgery include:
- Nutritional education and guidance
- Professional exercise training
- Emotional support and counseling
- Help with insurance considerations
- All weight-loss surgeries at the Center are done robotically, which results in fewer complications, shorter hospital stays, less pain (and thus less need for narcotic medications) and reduced costs for the patient and insurance companies.
“Obesity can be a life-threatening disease that impacts many areas of a person’s life,” said Dr. Wasco. “It is one of the leading causes of preventable death in the U.S. This study points out another benefit of weight-loss surgery.”
The ThedaCare Bariatrics team offers free live and video webinars to help patients understand weight-loss options available to them. To register, please call 920.720.7211 (press Option 1) or register online at thedacare.org/services/weight-loss-surgery.
About ThedaCare
For more than 110 years, ThedaCare® has been committed to improving the health of the communities it serves in northeast and central Wisconsin. The organization delivers care to more than 600,000 residents in 18 counties and employs approximately 7,000 health care professionals. ThedaCare has 180 points of care, including seven hospitals. As an organization committed to being a leader in Population Health, team members are dedicated to empowering people to live their best lives through easy access to individualized care, supporting each person’s own health and wellbeing. ThedaCare also partners with communities to understand unique needs, finding solutions together, and encouraging health awareness and action. ThedaCare is the first in Wisconsin to be a Mayo Clinic Care
Network Member, giving specialists the ability to consult with Mayo Clinic experts on a patient’s care. ThedaCare is a not-for-profit health system with a level II trauma center, comprehensive cancer treatment, stroke and cardiac programs, as well as primary care.
For more information, visit thedacare.org or follow ThedaCare on social media. Members of the media should call Cassandra Wallace, Public and Media Relations Consultant at 920.442.0328 or the ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Neenah switchboard at 920.729.3100 and ask for the marketing person on call.
