Last Updated on October 26, 2024
Several studies have shown that weight loss can have a drastic impact on diabetes and the ability of the pancreas to produce insulin. Gastric surgery can help patients lose weight, which can help diabetes, so should surgery be the preferred treatment for anyone with type 2 diabetes?
Some experts are thinking so.
Diabetes has become more and more prevalent across the globe. Researchers are always coming out with new technology and treatments for diabetes, but the number of cases is still massive. Most of the treatments are expensive or painful; many people with diabetes would like a cheaper and easier way to manage their diabetes.
35 different organizations from across the world have released a statement that says gastric bypass should be the primary treatment for anyone with type 2 diabetes. The statement suggests that if other treatments like dieting and exercising aren’t working, that surgery should be recommended. The released statement has included guidelines that explain when gastric bypass should be used as a diabetes treatment.
What is Gastric Bypass Surgery?
Gastric bypass has become a popular surgery in the United States because of its quick and efficient results of weight loss. Many people are started to believe it as the easiest or best way to shed some pounds. And several randomized research studies have shown that these surgeries can help people with diabetes lower their blood glucose levels.
How Does Gastric Bypass Work?
The surgery involves taking a portion of the stomach out or re-routing of the small intestine. Sounds like a great idea, right? Professor Francesco Rubin, an instructor at King’s College London, who was a part of the statement had some interesting views on the surgery as a treatment for the disease:
“surgery introduces a new type of outcome that was not even considered possible in diabetes before. With surgery, for the first time, at least some patients can experience and enjoy remission of the disease that can last quite long. This is probably the most radical change ever since the discovery of insulin.”
For some people with diabetes, money could be a problem. All surgeries are expensive, but could the surgery save you money in the long run? The surgery can cost around $7,300 or more, but what about the money you would save every year by not having to buy other medications. The researchers and doctors that were joined in the released statement say that it’s a smart financial decision.
While gastric bypass could be an excellent alternative to those that are struggling with other lifestyle changes, it should not be seen as a “magic cure” for the disease. These surgeries aren’t something that should be taken lightly. The guidelines suggested in the statement are that the surgery should be considered for any person with type 2 diabetes with a BMI of 40 or over, regardless of what their blood glucose levels have been. If the patient’s BMI is 30 or above and their glucose levels are poorly managed, then surgery would be recommended. These guidelines are altered depending on the patient’s race, for instance, Asians with type 2 diabetes have lower thresholds for the surgery.
With so many health experts backing these new guidelines, it could quickly change the way that we look at diabetes treatments. As health care technology continues to advance, these surgeries will continue to evolve and change. They may lead to a more effective way to manage diabetes.
