Bariatric Surgery Versus Conventional Weight Loss Methods
A study that appeared in the Journal of American Medical Association, Jan 23, 2008, compared laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) to conventional weight loss methods to see if surgical intervention could help people achieve better glycemic control and possible reduction of diabetes meds than just dieting alone.
According to the study, LAGB resulted in superior glycemic control and diabetes remission. In fact, 76% of surgical participants achieved remission of their diabetes at 2 years post surgery, compared with 15% of the conventional weight loss group.
But is it the surgery itself that drives diabetes into remission or is it the more dramatic weight loss associated with the surgery? The researchers of this study state, "An important finding of this study is that degree of weight loss, not the method, appears to be the major driver of glycemic improvement and diabetes remission in obese participants."
What are your thoughts on gastric bypass surgery and it's impact on type 2 diabetes? Post your comments at the bottom of this article.
Read an abstract of the study here...
Photo courtesy of Paul Tearle/Getty Images
Comments
The article is on the Adjustable Gastric Band (such as a Lap-Band) and diabetes… not the gastric bypass (Roux-en-Y or Duodenal Switch.). The thing is, while the Adjustable Gastric Bands are good, it is believed that the bypassing of the duodenum leads to significant glucose improvement…which is why the Duodenal Switch has a 92% cure rate for Type 2.
Deb,
Again an article with only half the info. What is the typical weight loss experienced by Gastric patients? Where were they in their BMI before and after? Since for most of us there is no hope of bariatric surgery it is the missing info that effects us more. I am at a BMI of 23, where do I have to get to get rid of T2 Diabetes?
If you saw 60 Minutes last night they did a big story about gastric bypass (as opposed to banding) surgury and the dramatic effects that has on Type 2 Diabetes. AS the person above mentioned, the results seem to indicate that the improvement comes from bypassing the lower bowel with many patients experiencing dramatic blood sugar improvement even before they leave the hospital (days not months)… clearly indicating that the weight loss did not appear to be the factor in the improvement, since that had not yet occurred. They are now testing the surgery on people with low BMIs, so there is in fact hope for thin individuals with Type 2 Diabetes if it proves to be safe.
I do have a high BMI and have considered surgery for a number of years. Now that I also have diabetes and the research so strongly indicates serious improvement with this surgery I might consider it more serious. Yes, I’ve made dramatic changes in my lifestyle (like training for a marathon and dramatically improving my diet) and I do feel better, but I’ve been overweight since I was born and while I’ve lost the weight and been thin numerous times throughout my life, it always seems to creep back. I was hoping something less radical like the lapband might be an option, but after reading this study and seeing the 60 Minutes story, I’m starting to think the more radical bypass might make more sense for me.
I had bariatric surgery in 2003. The doctor did not cut the stomach into 2 parts, and the weight of the lower stomach pulled the staples out. I have been living with this ever since. I now hope to find a doctor who will repair it with a lap band. I do think it works for prople with Type II diabetes, but, like any other weight loss system, you have to keep it off once you lose it. I know 2 people who had this surgery and have put almost all of their weight back on.
Karla’s right, my mother caught an episode of 60 Minutes the other day discussing Gastric Bypass surgery. Doctor on show, along w/ several people w/ diabetes who had the surgery, said that diabetes was cured within first week of post surgery!! These people also gained a lot of energy and had almost no craving for food. Dr said that it’s not the loss of weight that cures the diabetes but the bypass of the duodenal system. Per dr people can expect to lose about 1/3 of body weight w/in first 2 yrs. Dr also said surgery costs about $25,000.00 but several insurance co’s will cover it. The hardest part of the procedure though is the prep prior to surgery. Lady I know who had surgery said you can have nothing but liquids for 15 days prior to surgery (you’ll lose a lot of weight just from that…lol.).
PAUL – I hope you read this. I do not know my BMI. But I can tell u I’m 5′4 and weigh 242 lbs. When I was first diagnosed w/ T2 diabetes I weighed about 225. I started walking a lot and exercising. I got myself down to about 195-200 and was able to get off all my diabetic meds. Every person is different in how their bodies work but maybe this can help u have an idea of what you need to shoot for. By the way, I went thru a really bad depression and gained all my weight back +15 lbs. I’m back on my meds but am going to try again.
My own personal saying “it’s easy to fall off the horse, the hard part is getting back on.”
Good luck.
i had the surgury may 14 so for i have lost close to 50 lbs i am off my diabetic meds already my sleep apnea is gone and my gerd has disappeared i fell sooooo much better also i am down to one med for high blood pressure even though my pressure is now perfect
I had my surgery 02/26/08, and have lost 77 lbs. I too am a diabetic and it’s gone, I also had sleep apnea, but gone too. The only bad thing I could not get rid of is the diabetic neuropathy I adopted from living in denial, the pain is not that bad anymore since I’ve lost the weight, it all has to do with the weather, and not my weight. I played with my health so badly and lost total control of my eating habits. I love life now more than ever. I used to think this surgery was the easy way out, but it’s not. It takes dedication, discipline and love for yourself to go through with it. I am so thankful for this procedure and wish I would have done it years ago. I am off all my meds (heart, kidney, diabetes, and pain killers), I replaced them with Vitamins/Calcium/Iron, which was a great trade off. I recommened it for those of you who like me tried all to lose weight, but will power did not exist in your vocabulary, you’ve got to be determined to change your life, if not don’t even get this surgery. See it as your life will get better and you will live longer.