New studies in JAMA: weight loss surgery can improve diabetes

More data has been released about how effective weight loss surgery can be for resolving type 2 diabetes. This has long been a well-known fact for weight loss surgeons, now it is spreading throughout the rest of the medical community. One study let by Dr. Anita Courcoulas from U. Pittsburgh Medical Center followed 61 obese patients with diabetes.  The were randomly assigned to either undergo gastric bypass or gastric band, or were placed in a strict medical weight control program. The study showed that half of gastric bypass patients, and a quarter of gastric band patients had at least partial remission of their diabetes.  This was defined as having blood sugar levels closer to normal range and the patient came off diabetes medications. No patients in the non-surgery group saw their diabetes go into remission. In the 2nd study, 38 patients were randomly grouped into gastric bypass surgery or a medical weight loss program.  After a year, 11 out of 19 gastric bypass patients met their goal for blood sugar reduction, whereas only 3 of 19 in the medical group achieved the same goal. Many of these patients in the studies were lower BMI, some as low as 30.  This brings into question whether insurance companies should start covering gastric bypass, gastric sleeve, or gastric band for patients in this low-BMI group who have type 2 diabetes. If you are interested in learning more about options to surgically treat type 2 diabetes, click on “Meet Dr. Curry Online”, or fill out the appointment request form below! [iphorm id=”1″ name=”Appointment Request”]