Added Benefit: Bariatric Surgery can Help Control Type 2 Diabetes

Your risk of developing type 2 diabetes rises as your body weight increases. If you’re obese, you’re 3-7 times more likely to develop the chronic condition. Your risk is 20 times greater if your body mass index is greater than 35.

Weight loss can help reduce the severity of type 2 diabetes. Even modest weight loss improves your insulin action, decreases fasting glucose concentrations, and can reduce your dependence on diabetes medications.

Bariatric or “weight-loss” surgery is linked to improved diabetic control, but not in the ways you might think. Yes, it’s helpful to lose all those pounds, but there’s more to it. One type of bariatric surgery, gastric bypass, leads to type 2 diabetes remission in 78% of individuals who have the procedure, and the change often begins long before significant weight loss is achieved. 

Dexter Turnquest, MD is a leading bariatric surgeon in the Houston area who has dedicated his significant medical expertise to helping men and women accomplish their weight loss goals and improve their overall health. 

At Turnquest Surgical Solutions, we continue to witness dramatic turnarounds in type 2 diabetes control in patients who undergo bariatric surgery. Contact the office to find out if you might benefit, too.

The impact on type 2 diabetes

Several types of surgery performed at Turnquest Surgical Solutions lead to successful weight loss. The two that have a significant impact on type 2 diabetes control even before weight loss begins are gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy. 

One reason lies in your small intestine and its spontaneous, postsurgical production of GLUT-1, which is a molecule that helps your body absorb glucose. GLUT-1 is not typically present in the adult small intestine and appears to occur in response to foods you consume bypassing the large intestine, which occurs in gastric bypass.  

For that reason, research suggests that bariatric surgery could be a treatment for diabetes as well as obesity when your body mass index (BMI) is 30 rather than the previously recommended BMI of 40.

Real results

Some 90% of gastric bypass patients experience improvement in control over type 2 diabetes with significantly lower blood sugars and reduced need for medication. In 78% of this population, diabetic patients experience remission, indicated by normal blood sugars without the need for medication.

Those who undergo sleeve gastrectomy experience lower but still impressive rates of diabetes remission at 60%. Other bariatric surgeries, such as LAP-BAND®, also lead to improved diabetic control as weight loss is accomplished, but they don’t result in the production in GLUT-1.

Weight loss is still important

Improved diet, weight loss, and increased physical activity are still essential in managing type 2 diabetes as well as other conditions associated with obesity. Bariatric surgery plays a role in helping you reduce your weight quickly and effectively.

It’s important that you follow through with the lifestyle changes recommended to make your bariatric surgery impactful. Any bariatric surgery can help control your appetite by making you feel fuller faster. However, surgery is only the beginning. Turnquest Surgical Solutions also provides ongoing support, partnering with you throughout your weight loss journey.

To fully achieve your weight-loss and health goals associated with bariatric surgery, call Turnquest Surgical Solutions for a consultation .Dr. Turnquest and our expert team can help you understand how you can lose weight and become healthier in the process. Call today or book using the online tool.