Bariatric surgery is a popular and effective method of reducing excess weight and can help patients avoid obesity-related ailments. Beyond shrinking the patient’s stomach size, the procedure also affects certain hormones that play a key role in ensuring long-term weight management. These hormones control appetite, metabolism, and overall well-being.
In this blog, our team at the Obesity Control Center in Tijuana, Mexico, will explore the relationship between bariatric surgery and the body’s hormones. We will look at how hormonal shifts can support lasting weight loss and optimize overall patient health.
What Is the Role of Hormones in Weight Management?
The body’s key metabolic functions are supported by certain hormones that monitor appetite, satiation, and weight control. These hormones relay messages between the body and the brain that help patients know when to store fat, use energy, and trigger hunger signals. They include the following:
- Ghrelin – Also called the “hunger hormone,” ghrelin boosts appetite and tells the body to take in more nourishment.
- Leptin – Leptin is the hormone that tells the stomach when it is full, allowing patients to relax and stop eating. It also helps to regulate energy output.
- Insulin – Insulin is known for regulating blood sugar and allowing the body to store fat for its future energy needs.
- GLP-1 (Glucagon-Like Peptide 1) – GLP-1 is the hormone that weight loss medications mimic because it helps to decelerate digestion and signal satiation to the brain.
- PYY (Peptide YY) – This is another hormone known for curbing appetite after meals.
- Cortisol – When cortisol levels are too high, it can result in weight gain that most often accumulates in the belly.
For obese individuals, hormonal imbalances can play a major role in prohibiting weight loss, leading to frustration and distress. By undergoing bariatric surgery, which significantly affects appetite-related hormones, these patients can enjoy a higher success rate and enhanced quality of life.
How Does Bariatric Surgery Impact Hormonal Levels?
All types of bariatric surgery can profoundly impact the body’s appetite-regulating hormones. This is a major reason why the procedure has helped thousands of patients to reclaim their figures and successfully shed the excess pounds. Below, we will explore how each hormone is affected by bariatric surgery:
Ghrelin
Ghrelin, produced in the stomach, stimulates the feeling of hunger in patients. Those with obesity often experience higher levels of ghrelin, causing them to overeat. If the patient undergoes sleeve gastrectomy, which removes a significant portion of the stomach, ghrelin levels sharply decrease. The surgery removes the stomach area where this appetite-boosting hormone is originally produced. After a sleeve gastrectomy, patients enjoy reduced cravings and are able to choose smaller portion sizes, leading to more sustainable weight loss.
Leptin
Leptin, produced in the body’s fat cells, signals the brain to indicate satiation (fullness.) In obese patients, however, the brain builds up a resistance to leptin and thus struggles with continuous hunger pains despite having already eaten enough. Bariatric surgery helps to correct this troubling mechanism by decreasing overall fat cells, which, by default, also drops leptin levels. The brain’s sensitivity to leptin increases so that it receives the appropriate messages of fullness in the stomach. After bariatric surgery, patients feel more satisfied sooner, allowing them to choose smaller portions and maintain their weight loss.
Insulin
Insulin is produced in the pancreas and is responsible for regulating blood sugar. Insulin resistance is a common issue in obese patients. It can lead to high blood sugar levels and an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. By undergoing bariatric surgery, patients can quickly enhance insulin sensitivity, even before losing the necessary weight. In the case of gastric bypass surgery, patients almost instantly experience lowered blood sugar levels. In some people, bariatric surgery has even been known to send type 2 diabetes into remission.
GLP-1
GLP-1 has several distinct functions, including increasing satiation, slowing down gastric emptying, and boosting insulin secretion. After a patient undergoes bariatric surgery (gastric bypass), the body’s levels of GLP-1 are notably increased. With a rise in GLP-1 action, patients enjoy enhanced blood sugar control, fewer cravings, and a greater ability to manage and maintain a healthy weight.
PYY
PYY is another hormone designed to decrease hunger after meals. Levels of PYY are typically lower in obese individuals, who experience a prolonged sense of craving after eating. Bariatric surgery is known to enhance PYY levels, increasing satiation and contentment for patients after they consume a meal. The procedure helps obese individuals to adopt more sensible lifestyle habits so they can achieve their long-term weight loss goals.
Cortisol
The body releases the cortisol hormone in response to raised stress levels. When cortisol levels are too high for too long, the body will respond by gaining weight as a defense mechanism. This weight gain is usually concentrated in the midsection. Cortisol levels tend to be lower after bariatric surgery because patients enjoy improved mental health, confidence, and peace of mind, all of which translate to less overall stress.
Tips for Supporting Long-Term Hormonal Balance After Bariatric Surgery
Bariatric surgery is just the first step to managing long-term hormonal balance. After your procedure, here are a few suggestions that can help you maintain your weight-loss success:
- Stay on track with your nutrition – Make sure you continue to choose a healthy diet that lets you obtain the right nutrients. Select healthy fats, lean proteins, and complex carbohydrates to ensure balance and support hormonal harmony.
- Incorporate supplements – After you complete bariatric surgery, your body may need support in the form of supplementation. Suggested add-ons include multivitamins, vitamin D, calcium, and B12 to bolster healthy metabolic function.
- Get plenty of exercise – Increasing your physical activity level can help to minimize stress, reduce cravings, and maintain hormonal balance. It’s a good idea to include walking, weight training, aerobics, and yoga in your exercise regimen.
- Manage your stress levels – Stress (increased cortisol) is a major factor in weight gain. Knowing this can help you to focus more on activities that bring calm and peacefulness, like yoga, meditation, breathing, and time spent in nature.
- Make sure to attend all follow-up visits – It is essential that you stay connected to your healthcare provider after bariatric surgery so they can monitor your progress and make adjustments to your aftercare plan if needed.
Want to Learn More About Bariatric Surgery in Tijuana, Mexico? Contact the Obesity Control Center Today for a Private Consultation!
Bariatric surgery is a powerful solution for not only reducing the size of the stomach but for helping patients enjoy enhanced hormonal balance, which supports long-term weight maintenance and well-being. With hormone levels optimized, patients experience fewer cravings, increased feelings of fullness and satisfaction, and improved blood sugar control.
At the Obesity Control Center in Tijuana, Mexico, our team is dedicated to helping you achieve your unique weight-loss goals so you can enjoy enhanced confidence, well-being, and peace of mind. Contact us today to schedule a private and empowering consultation with our team of compassionate, knowledgeable providers led by esteemed surgeons Dr. Ariel Ortiz and Dr. Arturo Martinez.
