How Can Gastric Bypass Surgery Affect Diabetes?

March 5, 2015

Millions of Americans suffer from type 2 diabetes (T2D), the most common form of this condition, which affects the levels of glucose and insulin in the bloodstream. Often developing as a result of significant weight gain, T2D can cause a multitude of serious health problems, including heart attack, liver failure, and blindness. If you’re obese and suffering from T2D, and you’ve tried conservative weight loss methods with little to no lasting success, gastric bypass surgery from our skilled bariatric surgeon may be able to help you achieve diabetes remission. While there are several bariatric operations that can offer substantial weight loss, gastric bypass surgery, particularly the Roux-en-Y technique, has been shown to also aid in achieving normoglycemia (balance in blood sugar). During a Roux-en-Y procedure, the stomach will be reduced in size and a segment of the small intestine will be rerouted to the newly created stomach pouch. This can diminish the capacity of the stomach, therefore restricting the number of calories that can be consumed, as well as reduce calorie absorption due to the digested food bypassing a significant portion of... Read More

Diabetes and the Benefits of Weight Loss Surgery

February 26, 2015

One of the key concerns of carrying significant excess weight is the increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Diabetes occurs as a result of your body’s inability to maintain stable glucose (sugar) levels. Type 2 diabetes, also called T2D, is the most common form of this condition, and it can develop when your body cannot produce enough insulin (a hormone that regulates glucose). In some cases, your body may produce enough insulin; however, your system may not be able to properly utilize the hormone to combat the volume of glucose, typically leading to insulin resistance. Insulin helps glucose move into cells, and without it glucose can build up in the bloodstream, increasing the risk of developing life-threatening problems, such as heart attack, stroke, or dehydration. Fortunately, losing weight can aid in reducing or eliminating diabetes symptoms. If you’re obese, diabetic, and having difficulty losing weight, our experienced bariatric surgeon, Dr. Rishi Ramlogan, may be able to help. Losing a substantial amount of weight can reduce the need for antidiabetic medications and, in some cases, eliminate the need for prescription diabetes... Read More