Bariatric Surgery Could Help Treat Type 2 Diabetes

Posted by Patient Help Desk on April 5, 2008 under Bariatric Research News |

How’s this for an interesting and potentially happy healthcare situation? The all-too-common condition known as type 2 diabetes is unfortunately a likely companion for the morbidly obese. However, a recent study indicates that by undergoing bariatric surgery, these men and women may be provided with powerful relief for this condition!

Specifically, this study, which was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), found that those patients who have bariatric surgery may actually be rewarded with complete remission. Type 2 diabetes is closely linked with obesity; typically, its treatment involves healthy nutrition, an exercise program to lose weight, and insulin and other medications.

Exploring the Diabetes/Obesity Link

According to the American Diabetes Association, about 90% of all newly diagnosed patients are overweight; being obese causes the risks to skyrocket. Additionally, this condition is now the nation’s 5^th leading cause of death. However, this JAMA study is thought to be the pioneer in illustrating the association between bariatric surgery and its proposed diabetes benefits. The findings showed that 73% of the study’s 60 subjects that had bariatric surgery experienced NO signs of the disease!

The study incorporated the lap-band, or adjustable gastric banding surgical method. With this minimally invasive procedure, patients are able to feel full, while eating less. So, they can lose weight and maintain this weight loss. The JAMA study was particularly ground-breaking in that it provided amazing evidence for the possibility of treating type 2 diabetes with bariatric surgery, rather than medical treatments.

There is a great deal of controversy over health insurers’ coverage of lap-band and other bariatric procedures. While Medicare offers coverage for patients with body mass index (BMI) scores of 40 or higher, various private insurers deny coverage. However, in light of this study’s findings, these insurers may change their coverage policies.

The researchers cautioned that these findings applied only to those diabetics with mild cases. For these patients, it was thought that lap-band procedures could lessen the disease’s severity, or even completely eliminate it. More serious, long-term conditions were not thought to achieve remission, no matter the level of weight loss. Nevertheless, medical experts hold out hope for all diabetics.