Research Study About Bariatric Surgery And Type 2 Diabetes
A new study is once again showing that bariatric surgery results in greater remission rates of diabetes over lifestyle changes alone.
Dr. Anita Courcoulas of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, who led the research, studied 61 people with type 2 diabetes (between 25 and 55 years old). About half of them had class 1 obesity (a BMI between 30 and 35) and the rest were heavier.
Participants were randomly placed into three groups, with different courses of action. One group participated in a lifestyle intervention, including diet, exercise and behavior changes. The other two groups had either Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), or laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB).
After three years, no one in the lifestyle intervention group had even a partial remission of their diabetes. However, 40 percent of the RYGB group and 29 percent of the LAGB group did have at least a partial remission. Three of the patients who underwent a gastric bypass and one who had the adjustable gastric banding had a total resolution of their diabetes.
The surgery groups also saw more improvement in blood sugar levels and were more likely to not need their medications anymore.
Dr. Samuel Bledsoe, a Bariatric Surgeon in Alexandria, Louisiana, agrees with the findings of this study. “This adds to the evidence that weight loss surgery is superior to medical therapy and lifestyle changes in the treatment of diabetes. It is common for patients to see improvement or complete remission in their diabetes before they even leave the hospital after their procedure.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, close to 29 million Americans have diabetes (and about 30 percent of them haven’t even been diagnosed yet). Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of the condition.
These findings should not be construed as an endorsement for anyone struggling with their weight to drop their lifestyle changing efforts and schedule an appointment for weight loss surgery. All reputable bariatric surgeons will tell you that weight loss surgery is meant to be utilized only as a last resort. If you have tried everything, and your doctor feels you make a good candidate, then surgery can be a life-saving event in many cases.
Guest Post By Dr.Samuel Bledsoe
About Samuel Bledsoe, MD, FACS
Dr. Samuel Bledsoe is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a member of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. He has been performing weight loss surgery for over 10 years and is currently practicing at Christus St. Frances Cabrini Hospital in Alexandria, Louisiana. He is the Medical Director of Bariatric Surgery and past Section Chief of Surgery. Dr. Bledsoe is available for presentations and interviews upon request.
by Kevin Angileri