Gastric Sleeve: Diabetes Reversal Through Bariatric Surgery

Obesity and type 2 diabetes are major health issues in much of the western world, especially in America. You've no doubt noticed all of the news articles and stories about the obesity epidemic and what it means for adults and children.

The pervasiveness of obesity is one of the reasons why so many people visit our doctors in Tijuana to learn about weight loss surgery. Bariatric procedures such as gastric sleeve surgery can help people lose weight safely and quickly. While it's obvious that weight loss surgery can help those who are obese or morbidly obese, research has also found weight loss surgery to be a great way to treat diabetes.

Type 2 Diabetes and Its Link to Obesity

Type 2 diabetes refers to a condition in which a person's blood sugar is much higher than it should be due to an inability to properly process insulin. This leads to serious health problems related to the heart and vascular system, and it has been shown to lower overall life expectancy.

There has always been a major connection between type 2 diabetes and obesity/morbid obesity. Medical professionals have stated that the most likely indicator of type 2 diabetes is obesity or morbid obesity.

Can bariatric surgery really reverse diabetes?

Yes.

By undergoing weight loss surgery while also exercising and eating right, a person who has diabetes will notice a significant improvement in overall health. In some cases, the weight loss surgery has caused type 2 diabetes to go into remission.

What has the research found?

A 2012 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that weight loss surgery was more effective at treating type 2 diabetes than adjustments in diet and activity level alone. In fact, many patients in this study experienced remission of diabetes, which up until recently was never considered a possibility with regard to the treatment of the condition.

Why gastric sleeve surgery?

While the study researched the effects of gastric bypass surgery and bilopancreatic diversion surgery (BPD), we feel that gastric sleeve surgery is a much more ideal option for many patients.

For one, gastric sleeve surgery is a less invasive than the two aforementioned surgeries. A gastric sleeve will only involve the surgical reduction of the stomach size rather than any revision of the intestines. A less invasive procedure means reduced chances of complications.

In addition, the weight loss and health benefits of gastric sleeve surgery are very similar to gastric bypass surgery. This means a safer and just as effective surgery that yields excellent results when it comes to reversing diabetes and other obesity-related health problems.

Considering All of Your Options for Weight Loss and Improving Wellness

Gastric sleeve surgery is our favored procedure given the number of benefits to the surgery, though other bariatric procedures may be right for you. We would be more than happy to discuss all of these options for surgical weight loss in greater detail during your visit to the practice.

Learn More About Weight Loss Surgery

If you are interested in undergoing gastric sleeve surgery or another bariatric procedure that may enhance your overall health and wellness, we encourage you to contact our weight loss surgery center today.