Type 2 Diabetes & Bariatric Surgery

Adults with Type 2 Diabetes face numerous challenges. Diabetes increases your risk for many serious health problems that can limit your independence and life expectancy. Aggressive diet and weight loss has long been the standard of care for these patients.

Recently, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) announced new standards of care, including lower BMI’s, for persons with Type 2 Diabetes considering weight loss (metabolic) surgery. Studies have shown that some patients who undergo weight-loss surgery have extraordinary results. Within days of surgery, insulin production improves and patients need fewer or no diabetes medications.

Although it’s well known that losing weight, especially at the waistline, improves pancreas function and insulin sensitivity, it generally takes 6 months or more after bariatric surgery to shed a substantial number of pounds. But some surgical weight loss procedures lead to more immediate improvements.

Gastric Bypass has emerged as the most helpful weight loss surgery for remission of type 2 diabetes symptoms. Researchers are still learning why. Calorie-cutting, rapid weight loss and surgical changes to the gastrointestinal system seem to dramatically improve blood glucose levels, make patients feel satisfied faster and reduce insulin resistance.
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While more research is underway to better understand these outcomes, weight loss surgery, particularly Gastric Bypass, can help people with type 2 diabetes get the help they need now to live life to its fullest.

If you have type 2 Diabetes and are considering bariatric weight loss surgery, we can help.

Can Bariatric Surgery Help Patients with Diabetes?

Dr. Mark Perna

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