How Bariatric Surgery Can Help Reverse Type 2 Diabetes

Struggling with Type 2 Diabetes and wondering if weight loss surgery will reverse it? Since Type 2 diabetes is associated with having excess weight, it’s no surprise that the two statistics are correlated. Weight loss surgery is mentioned to not only solve obestiy, but type 2 diabetes as well. Type 2 diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by the body's impaired ability to regulate blood sugar levels, often resulting in elevated glucose levels. Just like obesity, diabetes continues to be a rising health concern in the United States. According to the CDC, over 37 million people in the US have diabetes, and another 96 million have pre-diabetes. Physicians usually encourage people with diabetes to lose weight and improve eating habits to help improve blood sugar control. That’s because the extra pounds can be a major contributor to the insulin resistance causing diabetes. Studies indicate positive outcomes for type 2 diabetes following weight loss surgery. In a long-term study of 400 individuals with type 2 diabetes six years post-bariatric surgery, 62% exhibited no signs of diabetes and demonstrated improved blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels. Over the past ten years, research has not only shown the advantages of weight-loss surgery for people with type 2 diabetes but has also gathered enough evidence from controlled trials to make it a valid treatment option for diabetes. Post weight loss surgery, changes start happening very quickly after surgery and many patients are able to lower the dose on diabetes medications right away. Within 2 years most patients experience remission of their diabetes, meaning they no longer need to take medication to control their blood sugar.

How Weight Loss Surgery Treats Type 2 Diabetes

1. Rapid Weight Loss From Bariatric SurgeryLosing weight enhances your body's efficiency, facilitating better control of blood sugar levels. As the excess weight diminishes, the body becomes more sensitive to insulin. Following bariatric surgery, patients typically experience greater weight loss compared to traditional weight-loss methods, with potential reductions of up to 25% of their total body weight.
2. Surgery Changes in HormonesSurgery triggers changes to gut hormones that encourage better metabolism and stable blood sugar levelsWeight-loss surgery triggers the release of hormones like GLP-1, which improves insulin production. This extra insulin helps move blood sugar into cells for energy, preventing it from piling up in the bloodstream. Certain types of bariatric surgery, like gastric bypass, alter the production of gut hormones that play a crucial role in blood sugar regulation. This change can help in the better management of diabetes.Weight loss surgery has been shown to reduce the production of ghrelin - the hormone that stimulates appetite. Surgery also increases the production of a hormone called GLP-1, which stimulates insulin production. With more insulin being made, the body can absorb and move blood sugar into the cells to be used for energy more easily instead of it building up in the bloodstream.
3. Healthier BMI After Weight LossHelps achieve a healthier body mass index (BMI) by reducing food intake and decreasing the amount of calories the body can absorb. This alone can decrease insulin resistance and make blood sugar easier to control.
4. Dietary Changes After SurgeryChanges in dietary habits, as required post-surgery, encourage healthier food choices and smaller, more frequent meals, which helps stabilize blood sugar levels. By reducing food intake and limiting calorie absorption, it assists individuals in attaining a healthier body mass index (BMI). This can, in turn, reduce insulin resistance and improve blood sugar regulation. According to the Diabetes Prevention Program, a slight weight loss, approx. 5% to 10% of total body weight, achieved through diet and exercise lowered the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
5. Reduced Need for MedicationMany individuals with diabetes who undergo bariatric surgery find that their need for diabetes medications decreases or even disappears, though results can vary. It's crucial to consult with a healthcare professional to determine the most suitable approach for your specific situation. Additionally, among those with type 2 diabetes, 87% attain improved glucose control, requiring fewer antidiabetic medications, while an average of 78% achieve normal glycemic control without the need for any antidiabetic medications.

Is surgery a permanent cure for type 2 diabetes?

Diabetes remission following bariatric surgery is often significant and transformative. This doesn't equate to a complete cure but signifies that their condition is under control to the extent that medication is unnecessary for stabilizing blood sugar levels. It's important to note that symptoms may reappear and medication may be necessary if a patient regains the weight they initially lost. Despite the occurrence of relapse, type 2 diabetes following bariatric surgery appears to resurface in a milder form. Patients typically need reduced insulin and fewer oral medications to maintain control. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, regular exercise, and managing body weight, is crucial to sustaining diabetes remission. It's essential for individuals to work closely with healthcare professionals to maximize the potential for long-lasting remission.

What options are available?

Gastric SleeveThe gastric sleeve surgery reduces the size of the stomach by 80-90%. This smaller stomach will be about the size and shape of a banana. The rest of the digestive system stays the same. The smaller stomach will not hold as much food as before, so patients feel full much faster with a lot less food. Making nutritious food choices and increasing physical activity will help increase weight loss success and lead to long term weight loss maintenance. 80% of gastric sleeve patients lose weight after surgery and lose an average of 65% of their excess weight. About 60% of those with type 2 diabetes achieve remission after surgery. Gastric BypassGastric bypass reduces the size of your stomach and reroutes the intestines so food bypasses most of the stomach and part of the small intestine, reducing the number of calories the body can absorb. Up to 80% of those with type 2 diabetes achieve remission after surgery. Duodenal SwitchDuodenal switch procedures are similar to a gastric bypass, but differs slightly. A gastric sleeve is performed first, then you’ll have a second component performed to limit the amount of calories you body absorbs from the food you eat. This malabsorption means your digestive tract is altered, but also results in more weight loss. If you require significant amounts of insulin to control your type 2 diabetes, a switch or bypass may be a better option. Talk with our surgeons to determine what the best option is for you. Patients often see 90-95% remission rates after a switch procedure. Find more surgical and non-surgical procedures we offer.