Can Gastric Bypass Surgery Treat Type 2 Diabetes?
If you’re obese and have been in an ongoing battle with type 2 diabetes, research shows that gastric bypass surgery may assist in significantly managing the disease.
Gastric Bypass and Diabetes
Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery, a procedure offered at TriHealth Weight Management, decreases food intake and alters digestion by stapling a portion of the stomach shut, thus bypassing calorie absorption. “It has something to do with the hormones that [this] part of the intestine normally produces,” explains bariatric surgeon, Kevin Tymitz MD. “By bypassing that – no longer producing those hormones – you no longer have their negative effect on the pancreas.”
As result, many gastric bypass patients have seen a drastic, positive impact on their type 2 diabetes. "[Side effects often occur] within days to weeks of the procedure – not years after the weight comes off, like you would think," he points out. .
Still, it’s important to note that gastric bypass surgery does not help control diabetes for all patients. Also, there is little-to-no evidence on how weight loss surgery will help control diabetes long-term.
Is Gastric Bypass Surgery for Me?
In order to be a candidate for weight loss surgery, you need to meet certain criteria. Guidelines include:
- Being between the ages of 18 and 70
- Having a body mass index (BMI) of 35 or more, with co-morbid conditions, like type 2 diabetes, hypertension or sleep apnea, or have a BMI of 40 or more
- Not having any untreated or uncontrolled substance abuse or psychiatric conditions
- Being committed to life-long lifestyles changes