Bariatric Weight Loss Surgery Aids in Remission of Diabetes

A recent Cleveland Clinic study found that gastric bypass surgery actually rids the body of diabetes within days. In India and China, which together account for half the world’s diabetics, bariatric weight loss surgery is now being endorsed over pills or insulin to reverse the disease. While genetics definitely play a part in a person’s risk of diabetes, weight and diabetes also go hand in hand. Dr. Kenneth W. Hollis of BayChoice Bariatric Center in Houston, Texas, is a firm proponent that morbidly obese diabetics can achieve a healthy lifestyle through gastric bypass surgery. 

 

The breakdown of diabetes in the United States:

·      Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States.

·      As of 2010, more than 26 million Americans have the disease.

·      More than 11 percent of adults over the age of 20 are diabetic.

·      Being even slightly overweight increases diabetes risk five times, while being seriously obese increase it 60 times. 

A vicious cycle-type 2 diabetes and weight gain

Type 2 diabetes is often linked to weight gain and accounts for approximately 90 percent of all diabetes cases. The blood glucose-lowering medications necessary for individuals with type 2 can cause weight gain, which in turn worsens blood glucose control and leads to a vicious cycle of more medication and more weight gain. 

According to the National Institutes of Health, 85 percent of people with type 2 diabetes are overweight or obese. A 5 to 10 percent weight loss in individuals with type 2 can improve the disease dramatically. Those at risk can significantly lower their chances of developing the disease with a 5 to 7 percent loss of body weight.  

Bariatric weight loss surgery reverses diabetes

While balancing medications, eating well and exercising can make a big impact on excess body fat, Dr. Kenneth W. Hollis of BayChoice Bariatric Center in Houston, Texas believes some individuals just aren’t successful with those methods and need an alternative solution. Many of his patients have chosen bariatric surgery experiencing wonderful outcomes.  

According to Diabetes Forecast Magazine, gastric bypass surgery results in remission of type 2 diabetes in most patients independent of weight loss. The reduction of the size of the stomach causes hormones in the stomach to change, also inducing the pancreas to start producing insulin again. 

Significant positive results

·      The American Diabetes Association reports that recent bariatric weight loss surgeries resolved diabetes in 76 percent of patients and resolved or improved the disease in 86 percent.

·      Gastric bypass surgery performed early in the course of an individual’s diabetes is more likely to produce remission.

·      The Cleveland Clinic’s long-term results demonstrated 61 percent of patients were still in full or partial remission six years after surgery, with an additional 31 percent showing significant improvement in their metabolic profile. 

BayChoice promotes after care and maintenance

·      The study also reported the importance of aftercare and maintenance. BayChoice Bariatric Center in Houston, Texas promotes and offers support groups for post-surgical patients including healthy weight management and hypnosis classes. Dr. Hollis recommends these for all his patients. 

Additional information

More information on these procedures or support groups can be found at www.baychoicebariatrics.com, or you can reach Dr. Hollis office by contacting him at 281-482-5300.