Bariatric Surgery and Diabetes

In the United States, nearly 30 million adults have diabetes. Approximately 8 million of these individuals don’t know they have diabetes and are living without treatment. Further, around one in three adults is considered pre-diabetic.

With 1.4 million new cases diagnosed each year, diabetes is on the rise in the U.S. and the obesity epidemic is largely to blame. For those living with diabetes, weight loss, whether through surgery or medicine, can treat type-2 diabetes, in some cases produces complete remission.

What Is Type Two Diabetes?

Diabetes is a disease in which the body becomes unable to regulate the metabolism of glucose, which results in rising blood sugars over time. Type -2 diabetes, sometimes called adult-onset diabetes, is a form of diabetes that generally occurs in adulthood and can be influenced by both genetics and lifestyle choices. The pancreas generally produces insulin in those with type two diabetes–sometimes more than normal. Unfortunately, the insulin produced is insufficient, as the disease causes the body to become resistant to its effects. Type -2 diabetes has no cure and is progressive, leading to complications like:

Heart disease
Strokes
Neuropathy
Damage to the eyes and feet
Inadequate circulation
Skin infections
Loss of limbs.

Those who are obese are at particular risk for developing type two diabetes.

Will Bariatric Surgery Cure Diabetes?

While bariatric surgery is intended primarily to address obesity, weight loss surgery may have another significant benefit: the ability to induce lasting remission of type-2 diabetes.

Bariatric surgery leads to weight loss, which can reduce the body’s insulin resistance and increase insulin production in the pancreas. Bariatric surgery also causes the gut to alter how it releases several hormones. The net result of those hormone changes is improvement in blood sugar control.

Bariatric surgery can alleviate symptoms in up to 90% of patients and may cause full remission, allowing patients to cease medication use in treating diabetes.

Diabetes Management After Bariatric Surgery

After bariatric surgery, those with type two diabetes will often see a reduction in symptoms, including increased insulin production and a decrease in insulin-resistant cells. Following surgery, it is very important to adhere closely to the guidelines provided by your doctor, including diet restrictions and exercise suggestions. Failure to do so can result in relapse, putting patients at risk for continued complications from diabetes.

If you are considering bariatric surgery as a diabetes treatment, Virginia Bariatric Surgery is happy to help. Please contact us today to learn more about bariatric surgery and diabetes or register for one of our free bariatric surgery seminars!