Bariatric surgery - possible treatment for type 2 diabetes mellitus

Diabetes continues to be a global problem with hefty costs in dollars, death and disability.  Over the years treatment has not varied much-exercise, diet and use of insulin- and the problem continues to grow. If bariatric surgery shows amelioration of diabetes (if "cure" is too strong a worrd),  then surgery should  be considered a legitimate option in some cases.

1. Weight loss may improve carbohydrate metabolism in patients with  Type 2 DM 2. Weight loss is difficult to maintain even in these patients 3. There is more to curing type 2 DM then losing weight

I have seen a trend of decreased reimbursements in my practice with post MWL body contouring.  These patients are plagued with complications due to their malabsorption.  Wound healing and seroma formations are issues that are encountered close to 100% of all MWL patients who undergo elective surgery.  Therefore with decreased reimbursement and the time that is needed to care for these...

A weight loss of at least 10% of original body weight has been found to reduce insulin resistance.  The amount of weight loss seen after gastric by-pass has led to a partial or compete reversal of diabetes with some patients going off therapy completely.  In some patients, there is a regain of some of the weight although return to previous weight is unusual in patients whose by-pass is still...

With the growth of bariatric procedures and the increased recognition of the health benefits associated with massive weight loss, more insurance providers are beginning to cover bariatric procedures. The problems arise when these patients present to their plastic surgeons after their weight loss and are surprised to find their procedures considered cosmetic and not "medically necessary".

   Type II diabetes and the metabolic syndrome are highly correlated with obesity. These diseases are epidemic in our society.  Weight loss has been definitively shown to reduce morbidity and mortality in these patients with complications from their obesity.  Bariatric surgery is a highly effective strategy for treating morbid obesity. It reliably produces greater weight loss than...

Bariatric surgery is a viable option for in properly selected, well-motivated, desperate patients with diabetes.

Bariactric surgery is no easy deal. First convince the patient and then have him or her go thru a series of exams by various specialists including psychiatry before proceding. If diabetes is there the weight loss will improve the condition. It is not a primary indication by any means.

There is reasonably good data emerging that bariatric surgery can be effective in treating obesity related complications.  However, as the prevalence of bariatric surgery increases in the U.S. in an exponential manner, there are many patients who have received this surgery without us knowing the extended complications of the surgery per se.  The benefit of bariatric surgery seems to reside...

Bariatric Surgery works to treat diabetes in the short run, but it is expensive and dangerous.