Obesity and Diabetes
Current evidence shows that obese people with type 2 diabetes should consider bariatric surgery as it can substantially improve diabetes, glucose control and other obesity-related conditions. In fact, recent research shows that gastric bypass surgery can reverse diabetes even before patients lose weight.
The International Diabetes Foundation (IDF) released a statement in March 2011 noting that “bariatric surgery is an appropriate treatment for people with type 2 diabetes and obesity [who are] not achieving recommended treatment targets with medical therapies.” IDF suggests:
- Gastric bypass surgery should be an accepted option in people who have type 2 diabetes and a BMI of 35 or more
- Surgery should be considered as an alternative treatment option in patients with a BMI between 30 and 35 when diabetes cannot be adequately controlled by optimal medical regimen, especially in the presence of other major cardiovascular disease risk factors.
- Bariatric surgery in severely obese patients with type 2 diabetes has a range of health benefits, including a reduction in all-cause mortality.
The reason for the improvement in diabetes following gastric bypass is not well understood but may be related to alterations in hormonal pathways that occur. A systematic review of more than 600 studies found that among 135,000 bariatric patients, 87% of patients had improved blood glucose levels while 78% of patients experienced complete resolution of their type 2 diabetes.
Procedures that involve an intestinal bypass offer the most significant weight loss and tend to have the best chance of resolving diabetes.
About Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation
Consult a Top Bariatric Surgeon
Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation, part of the Sutter Health network, offers bariatric surgery for weight loss. Our team performs surgery at California Pacific Medical Center (CPMC). Procedures include gastric bypass, gastric banding with LAP-BAND® or REALIZE® and stomach stapling procedures. Our weight loss surgeon performs bariatric, gastroenterology and endocrine surgery on patients from San Francisco Bay Area cities including San Francisco, Marin, San Mateo, Oakland, Walnut Creek, and beyond.
San Francisco Weight Loss, GI & Endocrine Surgery Office (MAP)
1375 Sutter Street, Ste 208, San Francisco, CA 94109
Tel. 415-923-3200 Fax. 415-923-3205
Marin Weight Loss, GI & Endocrine Surgery Office
101 Rowland Way, Ste 220, Novato, CA 94595
Tel. 415-923-3200 Fax. 415-923-3205
