Plano, TX, Sept. 09, 2016 – By its very design, bariatric weight loss surgery is meant to limit calories people can consume by shrinking the stomach’s capacity to hold food comfortably. This type of surgery has long been proven useful for helping those who are obese shed pounds and keep them off. New research, however, is shedding light on a possible positive side effect that may indicate that weight loss surgery actually changes the way patients respond to food.

A recent study involving type 2 diabetics who underwent weight loss surgery to help control their symptoms put this possible spinoff effect into the spotlight. All of the patients in the study were considered clinically obese. Some of the patients underwent gastric bypasses, but others did not.

“What is so intriguing is what happened when researchers showed participants from both groups images of food,” says Dr. Nick Nicholson, founder and lead surgeon at the Nicholson Clinic for Weight Loss Surgery. “Patients who underwent gastric bypasses had very different reactions than their counterparts to images of enticing foods. The activity level in the surgical group’s brain reward centers was much lower, indicating a possible change in brain response post-surgery.”

While more study is required to better understand the differences in response, the findings do point to another manner in which bariatric surgery may help patients who are obese shed pounds. By muting the reward response to food, bariatric surgery may further help people steer clear of eating habits post-surgery that may promote continued obesity and open the door for further health complications.

“Bariatric surgery is a proven way to help people who are obese lose weight and keep it off,” says Dr. Nicholson. “As the body of research on its effects grows, so do the possible benefits in regard to not only weight loss, but also possible changes in gut microbes, blood sugar levels and now brain response.”

The Nicholson Clinic specializes in surgical weight loss while providing other support to ensure patients attain and maintain their weight loss goals. To learn more about the Nicholson Clinic, its locations and the weight loss services it provides, visit it online at www.nicholsonclinic.com.

About Nicholson Clinic
Founded by Dr. Nick Nicholson, one of the country’s leading weight loss surgeons and co-author of “Weight Loss Surgery: The Real Skinny,” the Nicholson Clinic for Weight Loss Surgery offers a variety of options to help patients gain control of their weight and their lives.