Does bariatric surgery relieve chronic pain?

Bariatric surgery can help some people lose weight, which might reduce chronic pain. However, it doesn't always make pain go away completely.

1. Pain Medication Use: Some people take less pain medication after surgery, but not everyone. This means that while some see improvements, others might still need medication to manage pain.

2. Weight Loss and Pain: Losing weight can help with pain, but keeping the weight off is important too. If someone gains the weight back, the pain might return or get worse.

3. Chronic Pain and Opioid Use: For some, surgery might not change their pain levels, and they might continue using pain medications, including opioids, after surgery. This is important to consider if someone is thinking about surgery for pain relief.

In summary, while bariatric surgery can help with weight loss and potentially reduce pain, it's not a guaranteed solution for everyone. Some people may still experience chronic pain or require pain management even after surgery.