5 Surprising Benefits of Healthy Weight Control

Are you overweight or obese? Remaining significantly over a normal weight for your height and body type can put you at risk for a number of diseases and at a higher risk of mortality. Losing just 5-10% of your body weight has beneficial effects. 

Many Americans struggle with weight control. About 40% of American adults are obese, and many more are overweight. Does your weight prevent you from picking up your child or grandchild or getting down on the floor to play with them? We can help. 

At Turnquest Surgical Solutions, we specialize in weight control and weight loss surgery. Our board-certified bariatric and general surgeons, Dexter Turnquest, MD, and Victoria C. Chang, MD, work with you to help you obtain a better quality of life. 

Here are five benefits that you can expect if you control your weight and lose even a few pounds. 

Ease musculoskeletal pain

Do your joints ache? Perhaps your knees hurt when you move. Your knees have to bear the weight of your upper body. Whenever you get up and walk, you’re putting one and a half times your body weight on your knees. 

For example, if you weigh 200 pounds, you’re putting 300 pounds of weight on your knees. Research shows that if you lose just 10% of your body weight, you’ll feel less knee pain. 

Reduce or eliminate diabetes medication or prevent the disease

If you’ve been overweight or obese for some time, you may be prediabetic or diabetic, and you may take medication. If you’re able to lose some weight, you may need less medication, and controlling your blood sugar will be easier. 

Some of our patients are even able to forgo medication. 

Lower your blood pressure

Do you have high blood pressure? Your excess weight is a factor. The more weight you gain above a normal weight, the higher your blood pressure. Your blood is pressing against the walls of your arteries with extra force, so your heart has to work harder than normal. 

High blood pressure places you at greater risk of heart disease. You could lower your blood pressure and your risk of heart problems by losing just 10 pounds. 

Reduce the effects of sleep apnea

Because you’re overweight or obese, you likely have excess fatty tissue in your throat. When you’re sleeping, your muscles relax. The soft tissue can partially or almost completely block your airway. 

Without oxygen, you stop breathing for a second. This can happen hundreds of times each night, causing sleep apnea. It’s not just the snoring you have to worry about. Sleep apnea can lead to heart problems. 

If you can lose some weight, you may reduce the effects of sleep apnea and wake up feeling more refreshed. If you currently use a CPAP machine to get enough oxygen at night, you may be able to stop using it.   

Reduce inflammation in your body

You may not have realized that fat cells can cause inflammation throughout your body. Inflammation is associated with not only aching joints and arthritis, but also heart disease and stroke. If you lose just 10% of your body weight, you can lessen your risk of serious disease. 

For help controlling your weight, call us at one of our two in Houston, Texas, locations or book an appointment online today.