Can Weight Loss Surgery Cure Diabetes?

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Can Weight Loss Surgery Cure Diabetes?

Posted On : Jun-01-2011 | seen (588) times | Article Word Count : 515 |

Thousands of Americans elect to have weight loss surgery because of medical conditions that are aggravated by obesity. The most common chronic illnesses that are linked to being overweight are heart disease, high blood pressure, arthritis, some types of cancer, and diabetes. According to a new study from researchers at Columbia University in New York and Duke University in North Carolina, bariatric surgery can affect the body’s metabolism in a positive way that mere dieting alone cannot, and can lead to the eradication of diabetes in overweight individuals.

The study measured the progress of two groups of severely obese patients, with one group going on strict diets while the other group had gastric bypass surgery. Although the amount of weight lost by both groups during the study period was the same—an average of 20 pounds—the resemblance ended there. By measuring metabolites in each patient’s body, the research team determined that gastric bypass surgery reduced the amount of circulating amino acids, which are compounds that are linked to insulin resistance, obesity and diabetes. These compounds were not significantly reduced in the test subjects who stuck to strict diets.

Researchers are not sure why the Roux en Y gastric bypass procedure has this effect on the body. They also caution that the results may not translate to those who elect to have Lap-Band surgery rather than a gastric bypass procedure.

“This most recent study focused on the gastric bypass procedure, but the Lap-Band may yield similar results,” notes Dr. David Provost, a weight loss surgeon in Denton, Texas. “Dr. John Dixon published a study out of Australia in 2008 that showed patients who had Lap-Band surgery were five times more likely to see their diabetes disappear within two years than patients who received standard diabetes care,” Dr. Provost says.

During gastric bypass surgery, the surgeon creates a pouch at the top of the stomach, which is attached to the small intestine, bypassing most of the stomach and the duodenum. This pouch is significantly smaller than the rest of the stomach and can hold much less food. This helps to curb the amount of food a person can consume after weight loss surgery. In addition, bypassing the duodenum means that the body can absorb much less fat. The researchers involved in the Duke and Columbia study feel that making the stomach smaller—a key function of the Roux en Y procedure—may be linked to the significant improvement in diabetes in patients. However, exactly why this procedure has such a profound effect is still unknown.

If you have a family history of diabetes, are diabetic or pre-diabetic yourself, and suffer from obesity, you should consult with a surgeon to determine whether gastric bypass surgery could be a viable treatment option. Based on your background and current medical condition, your surgeon should be able to tell you whether the Roux en Y procedure is right for you. Some surgeons may suggest a Lap-Band procedure if you do not have a family history of diabetes and you have a body mass index (BMI) between 35 and 40.

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<h1>Can Weight Loss Surgery Cure Diabetes?</h1> Author: <a href='http://www.articleseen.com/profile_michaelhussey.aspx'>michaelhussey</a> Thousands of Americans elect to have weight loss surgery because of medical conditions that are aggravated by obesity. The most common chronic illnesses that are linked to being overweight are heart disease, high blood pressure, arthritis, some types of cancer, and diabetes. According to a new study from researchers at Columbia University in New York and Duke University in North Carolina, bariatric surgery can affect the body’s metabolism in a positive way that mere dieting alone cannot, and can lead to the eradication of diabetes in overweight individuals.

The study measured the progress of two groups of severely obese patients, with one group going on strict diets while the other group had gastric bypass surgery. Although the amount of weight lost by both groups during the study period was the same—an average of 20 pounds—the resemblance ended there. By measuring metabolites in each patient’s body, the research team determined that gastric bypass surgery reduced the amount of circulating amino acids, which are compounds that are linked to insulin resistance, obesity and diabetes. These compounds were not significantly reduced in the test subjects who stuck to strict diets.

Researchers are not sure why the Roux en Y gastric bypass procedure has this effect on the body. They also caution that the results may not translate to those who elect to have Lap-Band surgery rather than a gastric bypass procedure.

“This most recent study focused on the gastric bypass procedure, but the Lap-Band may yield similar results,” notes Dr. David Provost, a weight loss surgeon in Denton, Texas. “Dr. John Dixon published a study out of Australia in 2008 that showed patients who had Lap-Band surgery were five times more likely to see their diabetes disappear within two years than patients who received standard diabetes care,” Dr. Provost says.

During gastric bypass surgery, the surgeon creates a pouch at the top of the stomach, which is attached to the small intestine, bypassing most of the stomach and the duodenum. This pouch is significantly smaller than the rest of the stomach and can hold much less food. This helps to curb the amount of food a person can consume after weight loss surgery. In addition, bypassing the duodenum means that the body can absorb much less fat. The researchers involved in the Duke and Columbia study feel that making the stomach smaller—a key function of the Roux en Y procedure—may be linked to the significant improvement in diabetes in patients. However, exactly why this procedure has such a profound effect is still unknown.

If you have a family history of diabetes, are diabetic or pre-diabetic yourself, and suffer from obesity, you should consult with a surgeon to determine whether gastric bypass surgery could be a viable treatment option. Based on your background and current medical condition, your surgeon should be able to tell you whether the Roux en Y procedure is right for you. Some surgeons may suggest a Lap-Band procedure if you do not have a family history of diabetes and you have a body mass index (BMI) between 35 and 40.About the Author: Weight loss surgery is proven to resolve co-morbidities related to obesity, including hypertension and diabetes, in many patients. Weight loss surgery expert <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.provostbariatrics.com">Dr. David Provost</a> offers free informational sessions for those considering <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.provostbariatrics.com">gastric bypass surgery</a> or another bariatric procedure, as well as monthly support group meetings for his patients.

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Weight loss surgery is proven to resolve co-morbidities related to obesity, including hypertension and diabetes, in many patients. Weight loss surgery expert Dr. David Provost offers free informational sessions for those considering gastric bypass surgery or another bariatric procedure, as well as monthly support group meetings for his patients.

Keywords : Dr. David Provost, gastric bypass surgery,

Category : Health and Fitness : Health and Fitness

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