Bariatric Surgery – A cure for Type 2 diabetes

Bariatric Surgery – A cure for Type 2 diabetes

Since 1995, numerous studies have published results showing that bariatric surgery and in particular the gastric bypass procedure cures type 2 diabetes.

It is thought that the cure is brought about by changes to the hormones produced by the digestive system as a result of surgery and not simply the loss of weight.

Understandably patients and surgeons have been delighted with these findings and demand for the gastric bypass has increased.

Another study which has been recently published shows that another type of bariatric surgery, the gastric band, is also effective at curing type 2 diabetes. During gastric band surgery a device called The LapBand®, is fitted by keyhole surgery. The LapBand is placed around the stomach and restricts food intake. The study’s lead author, Dr. John Dixon of Monash University Medical School in Melbourne, Australia comments: “It’s the best therapy for diabetes that we have today, and it’s very low risk.”

Toni Russo, consultant bariatric nurse for Streamline Surgical said:

“The findings by Dr John Dixon are fantastic news and show that there is a real alternative for those patients who don’t want to undergo a gastric bypass procedure.”

Leading bariatric Surgeon Mr Guy Slater said:

“Studies like these are really positive as they indicate that bariatric surgery isn’t just a way to treat obesity, it can also offer many other health benefits. We can only hope that this message gets out to people so that they can consider the many benefits that bariatric surgery will bring to them.”

One of Mr Slater’s patients, 45 year old Gary from East Sussex has already seen the benefits that bariatric surgery can have not only on weight loss but also health. Gary explains:

“Weighing over 25 stone I was an ideal candidate for bariatric surgery. It was only after meeting with Mr Slater and researching the gastric bypass procedure that I realised I could also be rid of my type 2 diabetes. Since the surgery I have lost over 9 stone and I am no longer on any medication for diabetes which feels amazing.”

Bariatric surgery changes patient’s lives in so many ways, the curing of type 2 diabetes is just one of the many benefits.

At Streamline Surgical we offer a group of bariatric specialists for gastric band and bypass surgery providing the best care for our patients. The most common obesity surgery is gastric band and bypass done by our experienced Bariatric Surgeons.