Dr. Mehmet Oz recently asked his studio audience this show-stopping question during a taping of The Dr. Oz Show. If you struggle with obesity and related health complications, it might be time to ask yourself the same thing. So, what procedure was he describing?

According to Dr. Oz, gastric bypass surgery is the life-changing – and potentially life-saving – procedure that you should know more about. In fact, he devoted an entire episode of his show to this underperformed bariatric operation.

“Could this be the procedure that saves your life?” – Dr. Oz Thinks So

(source: Dr. Oz Show)

What Exactly Did Dr. Oz Say?

Dr. Oz called the gastric bypass a “miracle” that could “help you lose weight, lower your risk of cancer and heart disease, and most shocking of all, reverse your Type 2 diabetes overnight”. Despite these life-changing benefits, he also believes it’s “the most underperformed surgery” because only 1% of eligible patients actually choose to receive it.

Misinformation is a primary reason for patients’ reluctance to explore this option. Unfortunately, overweight people often assume that gastric bypass is only a “last resort” for morbidly obese patients. Dr. Oz cites one “remarkable benefit” that proves this isn’t true: it can “reverse your Type 2 diabetes overnight.” (Though the benefits of weight loss surgery are many.)

Unlike Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 is almost always brought on by obesity. Until now, most patients assumed that their diabetes went into remission because the surgery eliminated its root cause. However, as Dr. Oz explored on his show, the effects are actually almost immediate. Some patients can stop taking multiple diabetes medications as soon as two days after their gastric bypass. Dr. Denise Bruner, who appeared on this special episode, explained that this quick reversal is the result of hormonal changes within the body.

Why Weight Loss Surgery May Be Your Best Option

If you face medical complications and health risks because of your weight, gastric bypass may be the life-changing procedure you need to get your life back on track. However, not everyone is a good candidate for a gastric bypass. Some patients must make significant changes before qualifying for the procedure, and others are better candidates for other types ofbariatric surgery. It may help to understand exactly what this procedure entails.

During gastric bypass surgery, your surgical team will actually reduce the physical size of your stomach. They do this by detaching your stomach and re-attaching it to the lower intestines, effectively causing the food you eat to bypass the majority of your digestive system. This shrinks the capacity of your stomach and interferes with the hormones that stimulate appetite and insulin sensitivity. The quick reversal of Type 2 diabetes may be the “most shocking” benefit of this hormonal change, but it definitely isn’t the only – or even the most important – reason to get the procedure.

Obesity is bad for your physical and mental health, and gastric bypass surgery is an effective way to tackle this condition head-on. As you lose weight, you’ll experience short-term and long-term results that range from overnight changes to long-term benefits that improve your physical and mental well being for the rest of your life.

A Short List of Weight Loss Surgery Benefits

If you are considering a gastric sleeve,  gastric sleeve plication, gastric bypass,  or any other bariatric surgery in Mexico, you should know exactly what to expect in the months and years after your procedure. Fortunately, this list includes dozens of life-changing benefits. Doctors and scientists have linked weight loss surgery to a variety of significant changes, but these are some of the most promising and beneficial:

Reduces Your Risk of Cancer

All women face some risk of uterine cancer. In fact, only breast, lung, and colorectal cancers are more common among women of all races and ages. However, older and obese women face higher risks of uterine cancer than others. Patients with a BMI of 40 or higher are eight times more likely to get this cancer than women with a BMI of 25. Fortunately, gastric bypass is one effective way to reduce this risk. According to a study published in April 2014, bariatric surgery will decrease your risk of uterine cancer by 81%.

Works Better than Diet and Exercise

Patients who receive a gastric bypass will enjoy better, faster, and more long-lasting results than obese people who attempt to lose weight through diet and exercise alone. Of course, eating in moderation and staying active are important whether you have the procedure or not, but studies have shown that these methods alone are not effective in curing obesity. When doctors and researchers compare people who did and did not receive the surgery, it’s clear that gastric bypass improves your quality of life (including libido and energy expenditure) more consistently and significantly.

Increases Your Bladder Control  

Incontinence is an embarrassing and inconvenient problem that often affects the obese. In June 2015, years of research revealed that bariatric surgery “substantially” reduces rates of urinary incontinence. While weight gain increases a patient’s chances of relapse, significant weight loss will cause the majority of patients to go into remission within three years after surgery. Patients who lost more weight were more likely to see improvement.

Dr. Oz: The Underperformed Surgery You Should Be Getting

Dr. Oz’s statements on weight loss surgery have got more people talking about the life-changing effects of this “miracle” procedure. As you learn more about the benefits of gastric bypass surgery, it’s important to consult with your physician about your unique background and decide whether the procedure is right for you.