Health: Stitch in Time

Stomach stapling and gastric bypass surgery clearly help people shed pounds, but according to a new report, the benefits go well beyond weight loss. A review of 130 studies involving 22,000 patients showed that for most there were also dramatic improvements with respect to diabetes, hypertension and blood cholesterol levels. As with any surgery, however, there are risks, including a new one reported last week. One in six patients, a separate study found, developed nerve damage ranging from minor tingling in the feet to incapacitating pain and weakness. Malnutrition owing to rapid weight loss and vomiting is believed to be the cause. Patients enrolled in nutrition programs avoided the problem. --By David Bjerklie