Published on: 7/30/2025
Are pain improvements guaranteed after weight loss surgery?
Pain improvements are not guaranteed after weight loss surgery. Some patients may still experience pain, especially if they have conditions like lipedema.
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Explanation
Weight loss surgery, also known as bariatric surgery, can lead to many health benefits, but pain relief is not guaranteed for everyone. Some studies show that pain after surgery can vary from person to person.
Key Points:
- Post-Surgery Pain: According to research, some patients continue to experience pain even after surgery. Factors that predict pain include individual health conditions and surgery type.
- Lipedema and Pain: For those with lipedema, a condition that causes painful fat buildup, pain may persist even after weight loss surgery.
- Opioid Use: Some patients may still need pain medication after surgery, but this should be carefully managed.
In summary, while weight loss surgery can improve many health issues, it does not always result in pain relief. Each patient’s experience is unique, and ongoing pain management may be necessary for some individuals.
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(References)
- Lapointe-Gagner M, Jain S, Alali N, Elhaj H, Poirier AS, Kaneva P, et al. (2023). Predictors of post-discharge pain and satisfaction with .... Surgical endoscopy, 37491658.
- Cornely ME, Hasenberg T, Cornely OA, Ure C, Hettenhausen C, & Schmidt J. (2022). Persistent lipedema pain in patients after bariatric surgery. Surgery for obesity and related diseases : official journal of the American Society for Bariatric Surgery, 35144895.
- Ehlers AP, Sullivan KM, Stadeli KM, Monu JI, Chen-Meekin JY, & Khandelwal S. (2020). Opioid Use Following Bariatric Surgery: Results of a .... Obesity surgery, 31808115.
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