Obesity Surgery As Incontinence Cure?

A new study by researchers at UC San Francisco has concluded that morbidly obese individuals who undergo bariatric surgery can greatly curb urinary incontinence as a result.

Incontinence is apparently a significant issue among the morbidly obese, with 70% of women and nearly a quarter of men experiencing regular episodes.

According to the study of some 2,000 formerly morbidly obese patients who underwent bariatric surgery between 2005 and 2009, a significant majority had their incontinence cease three years after the procedure. The likelihood of remission increased with the weight loss, according to the study.

The study subjects ranged from 18 to 78. The median age was 47.

“Our findings showing another important long-term benefit to bariatric surgery might help to motivate people who are severely overweight,” said study author Leslee Subak, M.D., a UCSF professor in the departments of departments of obstetrics, gynecology & reproductive sciences.

The study was published in the most recent edition of the journal JAMA Internal Medicine.