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Gastric Bypass for Diabetes

Posted by Bariatric Center on Wednesday, October 28th, 2009

Gastric bypass as well as alternative bariatric surgical procedures are primarily provided to solve issues of severe obesity. Not only will Roux-en-Y gastric bypass help in fat-loss, but medical research confirm that it’s striking effects on co-morbidities related to obesity such as coronary disease, high blood pressure,diabetes, and cancer. There are significant medical studies demonstrating beyond a shadow of a doubt that Roux-en-Y gastric bypass operations was able to reduce or force the diminution of non-insulin dependent Diabetes.

With gastric bypass surgery, the stomach is reduced in size. Usually what happens is a small pouch is created in the top area of the stomach, and then half way down the small intestine is connected to the remaining lower part of the stomach. Because of the stomach is smaller in size, it could accommodate smaller amount of food and would limit the calories that it would absorb.

Gastric Bypass Diabetes

In the first few months following gastric bypass surgery, weight loss will be dramatic. In fact, the weight loss is so dramatic that there is a 5% drop in weight within the first few weeks of the surgery. In a year after the surgery, patients could lose 50 to 60 percent of their original weight. In the second year, most patients are able to achieve their lowest possible safe weight reduction that they can target for stable weight maintenance. The future maintenance of this weight-loss is completely up to the patient at this point. The patient must adhere to the recommended dietary changes and exercise habits prescribed by the doctor. That is if the patient wants to live a long life.

For most people, a gastric bypass will force diabetes into remission within weeks of the weight-loss surgery. This biological effect is not caused by just hormones changing in the body, although this is a part of it. The key factor is the amount of weight that is lost by the individual. The more massive your body is, the harder it is on your pancreas to keep up with the necessary insulin that the body needs. The severity of type 2 diabetes is directly proportional to the amount of extra weight that an individual carries. This was proven in scientific medical research by Duke University’s medical center. Research has also demonstrated the link to the fat stored in the gut producing hormones that may lead to a worsening of type 2 diabetes.

Gastric Bypass and Type 2 Diabetes

In the scientific study conducted, it was statistically proven that bariatric patients following gastric bypass surgery had a marked improvement in their diabetes. The patients had much lower blood sugar levels required lower doses of medication. About 48 percent of the respondents were able to achieve complete remission.

It is not just the weight loss and the hormones that keep diabetes at bay. Type 2 diabetes is often caused by diet. A person who have undergone gastric bypass surgery, is required to follow strict diet. Too much sugar at fat is best avoided after the surgery, since it could result into the Dumping syndrome which has vomiting, nausea, dizziness, sweating and diarrhea as symptoms. Because of the change in diet, the individual gets to eat less food and less carbohydrates.

These results are not only seen in adults. The studies indicate that it would take a year before teen patients would be able to be off from the medication and for diabetes to go into remission. It is unheard of how many teenagers are suffering from diseases that usually affect adults such as type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, hypertension, and elevated triglyceride levels in the blood. There can be significant improvements following gastric bypass surgery, but it is serious decision to make for the young person.

It is a general consensus in the medical community that gastric bypass surgery can help reverse type 2 diabetes in an individual. However, it is not the best option nor the only option. This type of surgery will not mean that you will magically recover from diabetes. If patients will stick to the guidelines of diet and exercise set forth by the doctor, it is possible to overcome in control diabetes for life.

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