Adding Life to Your Years: The Healthspan Approach

When we talk about longevity or lifespan, we tend to think about the number of years we have left to live. But what is emerging as an equally important concept is ‘healthspan’, or how to add life to those years, says Mr Jason Winnett Bariatric and Endoscopic Surgeon Melbourne.

“Think about playing with your grandchildren, rather than having the family visiting you in an aged care facility. We want strong, healthy minds and bodies for as long as possible.”

Obesity is increasingly important in the biology of ageing, and the latest Australian Burden of Disease Study 2024*1 paints a gloomy dataset – with obesity and overweight overtaking smoking and drinking to become the number one health hazard for Australians.

“We know sleep, movement, social life and mental health are the important four pillars of the healthspan concept.

And we also know that weight loss, whether it be injections of bariatric surgery, can have a meaningful impact on those four pillars.”

The latest research from The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare paints a gloomy dataset for obesity disease burden in Australia.

You lose, your snooze

“As a bariatric surgeon it is common for me to hear patients talking about people with severe obesity sleeping upright in a chair to help them breathe. And it’s well documented that obesity contributes to sleep disorders like sleep apnoea and insomnia,” says Mr Winnett.

Nationally, more than 58% of sleep apnoea is due to obesity according to the Australian Family Physician*2, journal.

Over 70% of patients with obstructive sleep apnoea, a common and potentially fatal sleep and breathing disorder, also have obesity.

However, weight loss after surgery reduces the pressure on your airway, which can alleviate obstructive sleep apnoea symptoms. Many patients find they no longer need CPAP machines and experience more restful sleep.”

The obesity joint epidemic

Carrying excess weight puts additional strain on weight-bearing joints like the knees, hips, and lower back, leading to pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility.

Analysis of data from the Victorian Population Health Survey showed that overweight individuals were 60% more likely to have arthritis and those who were obese had twice the risk According to the research printed in Arthritis and Rheumatism*3, obese people suffer from hip arthritis and experience more pain, stiffness, and discomfort, affecting their quality of life.

Weight loss from bariatric surgery can lead to improved mobility, leading to a more active lifestyle and better overall physical function.

Exercise

“Being active is a crucial part of the anti-ageing experience,” says Mr Winnett.”

“Many studies show that exercise can not only help maintain weight but is also linked consistently to cancer recurrence*4, so it is an important third pillar in lifespan.”

Social Life

Two-thirds of Australian adults are overweight or obese, but obesity is still stigmatised, according to a national survey released in 2021 on weight stigma*5, which found that many overweight people were still perceived as lazy, unmotivated, and unable to take care of themselves.

“There is no doubt that to a certain extent, bariatric surgery can help reverse this situation,” says Mr Winnett.

“Many patients find it easier to participate in social activities, hobbies and events, and consequently build stronger relationships and a more fulfilling social life.

“The good news is that the stigma is lessening and in this study 75% said that they would stand up for someone being shamed because of their weight and 79% of people agreed that the media should reflect Australians in all shapes and sizes.”

Achieving a longer, healthier life is about adding quality to your years, not just extending them. At Winnett Specialist Group, our multi-disciplinary team — including a bariatric surgeon, dietitian, exercise physiologist, psychologist, and specialist physicians — is dedicated to supporting patients through every stage of their weight loss and health journey. To learn more or take the first step, please contact us or call (03) 9417 1555.

What Bariatric Surgery Can Really Do for Your Health Span

From better sleep and mobility to improved mental health and longevity — this snapshot shows how bariatric surgery can add quality life to your years, not just years to your life.

Table of Health Span Improvements After Bariatric Surgery

Weight Loss for a Longer, Healthier Life

A meaningful approach to longevity prioritises wellbeing and function, not just time. At Winnett Specialist Group, our multi-disciplinary team – including a bariatric surgeon, dietitian, exercise physiologist, psychologist, and specialist physicians — is dedicated to supporting patients through every stage of their weight loss and health journey. To learn more or take the first step, please contact us or call (03) 9417 1555.

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