Over and over, scientific studies consistently tell us that gastric bypass surgery helps reduce diabetes. Most recently, a study funded by the National Institutes of Health found the same thing. Researchers divided patients into different groups. All individuals in the study were obese and had uncontrolled type 2 diabetes. One group received no weight loss surgery, another group had roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery and the thåird group had sleeve gastrectomy.

The study lasted for a year. During this time, all of the study groups had medical counseling and treatment for diabetes. After one year, individuals who had weight loss surgery had better insulin control than the individuals without weight loss surgery. Also, their glycated hemoglobin, or A1c, went way down compared to the A1c of the group without surgery. Only 12 percent of the group without weight loss surgery had A1c of less than 6%, which is a healthy goal. 37% of the roux-en-Y patients achieved A1c of less than 6%, and 42% of the gastric sleeve patients got to their goal A1c numbers!

Study Link

Bariatric Surgery versus Intensive Medical Therapy in Obese Patients with Diabetes

BACKGROUND

Observational studies have shown improvement in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus after bariatric surgery.

METHODS

In this randomized, nonblinded, single-center trial, we evaluated the efficacy of intensive medical therapy alone versus medical therapy plus Roux-en-Y gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy in 150 obese patients with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes. The mean (±SD) age of the patients was 49±8 years, and 66% were women. The average glycated hemoglobin level was 9.2±1.5%. The primary end point was the proportion of patients with a glycated hemoglobin level of 6.0% or less 12 months after treatment.

RESULTS

Of the 150 patients, 93% completed 12 months of follow-up. The proportion of patients with the primary end point was 12% (5 of 41 patients) in the medical-therapy group versus 42% (21 of 50 patients) in the gastric-bypass group (P=0.002) and 37% (18 of 49 patients) in the sleeve-gastrectomy group (P=0.008). Glycemic control improved in all three groups, with a mean glycated hemoglobin level of 7.5±1.8% in the medical-therapy group, 6.4±0.9% in the gastric-bypass group (P<0.001), and 6.6±1.0% in the sleeve-gastrectomy group (P=0.003). Weight loss was greater in the gastric-bypass group and sleeve-gastrectomy group (−29.4±9.0 kg and −25.1±8.5 kg, respectively) than in the medical-therapy group (−5.4±8.0 kg) (P<0.001 for both comparisons). The use of drugs to lower glucose, lipid, and blood-pressure levels decreased significantly after both surgical procedures but increased in patients receiving medical therapy only. The index for homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) improved significantly after bariatric surgery. Four patients underwent reoperation. There were no deaths or life-threatening complications.

CONCLUSIONS

In obese patients with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes, 12 months of medical therapy plus bariatric surgery achieved glycemic control in significantly more patients than medical therapy alone. Further study will be necessary to assess the durability of these results.

RNY sure worked for my diabetes - off the meds and A1c was 5.6 at two weeks post-op. Amazing!!

They called me an inbetweener type 1 & 2. My hbga1c is better but I haven't been able to get off insulin. I use 1/3 the insulin I use to. But when I eat flour carbs it shoots my blood sugar up. I was praying for a miracle :/

Just keep doing what you're doing onmyway. The effectiveness of RNY on diabetes can be a little misleading because it causes folks to expect immediate resolution which often doesn't happen. You've had positive results already but I would not be surprised at all to see your diabetes eliminated before all is said and done! Congratulations!!

Just keep doing what you're doing onmyway. The effectiveness of RNY on diabetes can be a little misleading because it causes folks to expect immediate resolution which often doesn't happen. You've had positive results already but I would not be surprised at all to see your diabetes eliminated before all is said and done! Congratulations!!

Thank you that would be a welcomed miracle.

Just keep doing what you're doing onmyway. The effectiveness of RNY on diabetes can be a little misleading because it causes folks to expect immediate resolution which often doesn't happen. You've had positive results already but I would not be surprised at all to see your diabetes eliminated before all is said and done! Congratulations!!

Thank you that would be a welcomed miracle.

Remission - you know we can not eliminate diabetes but we can put it in remission.

An a1c is THREE months of sugars.

I have Type 2 Diabetes and my Doctor was really happy with my last A1c. She changed my medication to oral so I no longer have to take insulin.

When I tested my blood sugar this morning it was 41. I have been battling low blood sugar all day. I got really scared when it went as low as 31 and I couldn't see very well. This is the second time this has happened. I think I need to get back to my doctor. Maybe it's time I can get off all meds. Here's hoping!

Here I go again. My blood sugar dropped to 43. This up and down all day is wearing me out. I get the shakes, I perspire and I get spotty vision. Not fun

Jena can you call your surgeon and talk to him about your low blood glucose? It sounds really scarey to have your blood glucose drop so low.

Yes. I will call the bariatric nurse and/or my doctor. This is really scaring me. I just took a glucose tablet and ate half a protein bar and feel better. I just want off this roller coaster ride!

Yes. I will call the bariatric nurse and/or my doctor. This is really scaring me. I just took a glucose tablet and ate half a protein bar and feel better. I just want off this roller coaster ride!

Just curious what the surgeon decided to do? Were you taken off the meds? Let us know how that turned out. I am also a diabetic that is preparing for my surgery and worried about the same thing happening to me! I wear an insulin pump now and already have times where if I don't eat enough or drink enough, I get shaky. An ur right the issues with that situation are absolutely no fun!

1/3 the insulin sounds like a miracle White flour is the devil anyway...

They called me an inbetweener type 1 & 2. My hbga1c is better but I haven't been able to get off insulin. I use 1/3 the insulin I use to. But when I eat flour carbs it shoots my blood sugar up. I was praying for a miracle :/

They called me an inbetweener type 1 & 2. My hbga1c is better but I haven't been able to get off insulin. I use 1/3 the insulin I use to. But when I eat flour carbs it shoots my blood sugar up. I was praying for a miracle :/

so that was almost 2 years ago how are you doing today with your diabetes almost 2 years later

Hello group, I have recently decided to do the gastric bypass surgery. Because I'm also diabetic and I'm sick and tired of having this dreadful disease which I've had for over 20 years. I'm currently using the NovoLog flex pen. to control my diabetes. But to be honest I don't think it doing any good. I think it's actually making me gain more weight and doing me more bad than good.

So I would like for those who've had the surgery and had the diabetes to go along with it. To tell me What has been your experience. I thought that it would never come to this, but I'm already being treated for a hole in my retina in my left eye. And feeling miserable about my life as it's continuing to go downhill. I've seen a lot of videos on YouTube stating that the weight-loss surgery do tend to eliminate or Cure diabetes. Thank you for all those who response.

To jeanaloveskisses: As I read your post it was as if I had written it myself....Pre surgery I was diabetic.Now, I am hypoglocemic. Some can control this with diet. After consulting my doc it appears there is a small (but growing) percentage of patients where diet doesn't correct the issue. (me being one of those). After much research (googling hypoglocemic after gastric surgery) there is a really long name for what we have and it will explain all the details... In my particular situation, I can live with it or have my pancreas removed!!! And, the diabetes could return afterwards so I am not ready to take that leap;)I did find it interesting that over time this condition gets worse. It has affected my life dramatically as the symptoms are less noticeable over time which is scary! Anyway...research, research, research, and get your A1C checked quarterly....There are solutions and I don't mean to scare you; as each individual is different, but pls. don't take it lightly...Best of luck and praying diet alone will rectify your situation:)