People decide to have bariatric surgery for many reasons. It could be that their weight is causing serious medical conditions, they are physically and emotionally uncomfortable, or they have a special upcoming event. Of course, there are a multitude of reasons people make this decision, but now let’s discover how weight loss surgery can help reverse Type 2 diabetes. That is certainly a healthy goal.
Type 2 Diabetes Facts
Diabetes is a disease affecting almost 26 million Americans. Being overweight or obese is step one to developing Type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes and accounts for 90% of all cases. The rest are Type 1.
- Type 2 diabetes is characterized by high blood sugars.
- The hormone insulin, produced in the pancreas, helps us regulate blood sugar by unlocking our cells to accept sugar.
- Diabetes develops when the body becomes resistant to insulin.
- When the body becomes insulin resistant, it gets harder to keep blood levels normal.
- Diabetes increases your risk for heart disease, kidney failure, stroke, and blindness.
A Healthy Weight Is Key
Keeping your weight at a healthy level will make it easier for you to avoid Type 2 diabetes. In addition, belly fat and waist circumference are important and can contribute to developing type 2 diabetes, especially in women.
If your BMI (body mass index) is higher than 24.9, you are overweight or obese. Calculate your body mass index here.
When you have tried diets, exercise, and other recommended lifestyle changes, with no success, weight loss surgery with Dignity Health Medical Group may be the answer for you.
How Weight Loss Surgery Can Reverse Type 2 Diabetes
Now the good part!
Bariatric surgery can help to reverse diabetes starting with:
- Reducing your food intake giving you a healthier BMI
- Decreasing how many calories your body can absorb
- Decreasing your insulin resistance and making your blood sugar easier to control
Another invaluable change includes reducing your body’s production of the hormone ghrelin which increases appetite. In addition, the surgery increases some hormones that produce more insulin.
These positive effects can occur shortly after surgery.
Some patients can stop taking some of their diabetic meds, and within two years, discontinue all medications.
Maintaining a Healthy Weight
Be advised that these effects will only remain as long as you follow your diet plan and do the recommended physical activity. If you gain back some of the lost weight, you can also slide back into diabetes, insulin resistance, and needing blood sugar medications again.
Contact Dignity Health Medical Group at (602) 582-5233 and find out if you are a good candidate for bariatric surgery and if it can reverse your type 2 diabetes. Our surgery clinic is in Chandler, and we see patients from Phoenix, Mesa, Tempe, Scottsdale, Gilbert, and the surrounding areas.
