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.

What Is Bariatric Surgery?

More than 90 million people in the United States currently suffer from obesity. Beyond the emotional and self-esteem struggles, the disease also leads to medical conditions like diabetes, heart disease, sleep apnea, asthma, reflux, infertility and osteoarthritis.

Bariatric surgery can offer a solution for morbidly obese individuals who have failed to lose weight through diet, exercise and/or medication. Primary care physicians report seeing the rise in obesity as a major contributing factor to diabetes, and they are reaching out to bariatric surgeons for help with these patients. According to the Harvard Gazette, roughly 30 percent of overweight people have type 2 diabetes.

Seeking weight loss through bariatric surgery may be the only cure leading to improvement of overall health and emotional wellness for certain obese patients. As high-profile individuals like Al Roker, Chris Christie and Lisa Lampenelli share their struggles with obesity and the success they’ve achieved through bariatric weight loss surgery, these procedures are receiving the positive recognition they deserve.

In essence, bariatric surgery decreases the size of the stomach, reducing the amount of food an individual can eat. These procedures can lead to significant long-term weight loss (up to 70 percent of excess body weight), recovery from diabetes, improvement in cardiovascular risk factors and a reduction in mortality.

How do I know if I am a candidate for bariatric surgery?

The first step in determining whether bariatric surgery is right for you is to check your body mass index. The U.S. National Institutes of Health recommends bariatric weight loss surgery for individuals with a BMI of at least 40 and for those with a BMI of 35 who also have serious medical conditions.

If your BMI falls within those ranges or you want more information, sign up to attend one of BayChoice Bariatric Center’s free seminars. The speaker and noted bariatric surgeon Kenneth Hollis, M.D. will discuss his experience with these procedures as well as advantages and disadvantages of each.

What are my surgical options?

Options can include:

· Gastric sleeve permanently removes a portion of the stomach.

· Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (or LAP-BAND ®) involves securing a band around the upper stomach, creating a smaller pouch to receive and store food. The band can be adjusted post-surgery to ensure optimum results.

· Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) permanently creates a smaller pouch in the upper stomach, which is attached directly to the small intestine.

· Revisional bariatric surgery is for patients who have had unsuccessful weight loss surgery performed in the past, noted by medical complications or excessive weight gain since the initial operation.

What can help me maintain a healthy weight post-surgery?

Procedure aftercare is instrumental in patient success, so it is important to choose a bariatric center offering a certified bariatric nurse who can provide counseling for appropriate nutrition and exercise. Because the emotional journey is just as important as the physical one, finding a trained and licensed professional offering clinical hypnotherapy is critical for a positive surgical experience and long-term success. To find more information on this program, including how to overcome fears of food and adapting to a healthy post-surgical lifestyle, please request a brochure on our website.

Where is a clinic in Houston, Texas that can offer all of these procedures and support groups?

Dr. Kenneth W. Hollis at BayChoice Bariatric Center in Houston, Texas, has performed hundreds of bariatric surgeries and has witnessed life-altering results that enable his patients to live longer, healthier, happier lives. He evaluates each patient’s current health and weight-loss goals, carefully choosing the surgical procedure that is perfect for him or her. His nurse practitioner, Beth Kramer, is clinically trained and certified in Bariatrics and Clinical Hypnotherapy offering comprehensive pre- and post-treatment care.

Childhood Obesity - A Growing Concern

“Houston, we have a problem.” According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, over the past decade, the prevalence of obesity in children has doubled. The prevalence of obesity in adolescents has tripled. In 2007, 32 percent of Texas high-school students were overweight or obese. According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 31.9% of children and adolescents were overweight (BMI at or above the 85th percentile) and 16.3% were obese (BMI at or above 95th percentile). Due to the rising prevalence of pediatric obesity, it is recognized as a serious public health concern.

Children and adolescents who are overweight and/or obese are at a higher risk for potentially fatal health problems as they grow older. Some of the more obvious physical health conditions resulting from obesity are asthma, sleep apnea, dermatological skin conditions and joint pain. Underneath the excess skin, there can be serious and life-threatening illnesses such as diabetes, high cholesterol and hypertension (high blood pressure). Overweight adolescents and children can also develop fatty liver disease and gallstones.

Not only do these obese kids develop physical health issues, but being overweight can create serious mental health problems such as low self-esteem, unrealistic body image, anxiety and depression. These factors can contribute to poor academic performance which only compounds their low self-esteem issues. Within their own peer group, they suffer from teasing and bullying which can produce long-term negative effects on their mental health.

There are many different factors which contribute to pediatric obesity. The most obvious is a child’s eating habits. Today’s fast-paced society has contributed to having calorie-rich foods and liquids obtainable. Eating at fast food restaurants has become an integral part of daily routine for families. A popular McDonald’s commercial shows a mother and father competing to provide a “Happy Meal” for a small child. In addition, fast food establishments give out toys in their children’s meal as an enticement for return business. Another contributing factor in pediatric obesity is lack of exercise. Children and adolescents stay inside playing video games or watching television. America has evolved into a society of couch potatoes. Children who don’t exercise are more likely to become overweight because they aren’t burning calories through physical exercise. Children who come from a family of overweight people are genetically predisposed to becoming obese, especially in an environment where high-calorie food is always available and physical activity isn’t encouraged.

Since medications and surgery aren’t recommended for school age children, there are healthy choices parents can implement to reduce negative behavior patterns. Even small changes can make a huge difference in a child’s life. With regards to healthy eating, parents are the ones who buy the food so parents can control what is consumed by their children. When shopping at a local grocery store, choose fruits and vegetables. Foods of convenience, such as cookies, crackers, and prepared meals contain large amounts of sugar, preservatives and fats. Limit the intake of high-calorie liquids and sweetened beverages, including fruit juices. Liquids of this type provide limited nutrients and unlimited calories. When approaching meal time, make a plan to sit together for family meals. Eating in front of the television, computer screen or video game leads to eating quickly and a lowered awareness of the volume of food consumed. According to the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) in 2007, 39% of Texas adolescents in grades 9-12 watch television for 3 or more hours per day on an average school day. Prepare meals at home with children rather than eating out at restaurants as many menu options are loaded in sodium, saturated fats and calories.

Combining physical activity with healthier eating choices can help fight the battle against childhood obesity. Other suggestions from the Mayo Clinic to increase physical activity in children are to limit television and video game time to two hours or less per day. Another consideration would be to limit other sedentary activities such as telephone & computer usage. When considering exercise, focus on fun activities such as playing tag, hide & seek or hiking a trail to look for unique leaves or creatures. As the parent, set the example by being engaged in physical activity and including all family members in these activities.

Parents are crucial to the emotional needs and development of children, overweight or not. Take advantage of every opportunity to praise children verbally. An overweight child struggles with their self-esteem and body image, so be sensitive to the needs and feelings. Be aware that a child may view your concern as a reprimand or insult. Be direct, honest and open with children without being critical or judgmental when discussing their weight.

There are no set answers or solutions to this overwhelming issue. There isn’t a magic want to be waived and “Poof” children will lose weight instantly. This problem takes dedication and hard work from the children suffering from obesity and every member of their respective support system. Houston, we MUST find a solution!