Compared to Medical Therapy, Bariatric Surgery Results in Better Glucose Control and Long-Term Weight Loss
Cases of obesity-induced type 2 diabetes continue to increase at an alarming rate worldwide. Recent studies have shown that bariatric surgery, or weight loss surgery, which includes a variety of procedures performed on people who are obese, results in better glucose control and long-term weight loss for patients with type 2 diabetes. In some cases, it can even resolve type 2 diabetes.
At the Bariatric and Metabolic Institute, researchers conducted a randomized study of 150 patients with type 2 diabetes who received either medical therapy alone or medical therapy plus bariatric surgery. Of these patients, 93 percent completed 12 months of follow-up. Results showed that significantly more patients in the bariatric surgery group achieved glycemic control compared to the medical therapy alone group.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota study observed that over 78 percent of diabetic patients experienced complete resolution of symptoms after bariatric surgery. Further, diabetes was improved or resolved in over 86 percent of patients, particularly for those who underwent billiopancreatic diversion (makes the stomach smaller)/duodenal switch followed by gastric bypass. Banding procedures were the least successful at reducing diabetes symptoms.