Detroit Free Press: Weight loss surgery can be successful with correct support, University of Michigan surgeon says

The risk of death from the surgery has virtually been eliminated, and complications have been cut significantly, said John Birkmeyer. Birkmeyer is a bariatric surgeon at U-M who runs a registry on clinical outcomes of weight loss surgery with his wife, Nancy Birkmeyer, a U-M associate professor of surgery.

The surgery can reduce the need for medications for many chronic ailments like diabetes, sleep apnea and problematic blood pressure and cholesterol, he said.