Weight loss surgery: The most effective weapon for obese people in the battle against diabetes

Noted bariatric surgeon Michael Feiz, M.D., F.A.C.S., believes that there's no time like American Diabetes Month to point out that weight loss surgery is the most effective weapon obese people have in the battle against diabetes. While insulin injections and other medications have proven extremely useful for controlling diabetes, they are only stopgap solutions. Dramatic and sustained weight loss aided by such procedures as sleeve gastrectomy and the lap band has been shown to prevent diabetes in people with elevated blood sugar and to actually reverse the illness in up to 80 percent of people suffering from full blown diabetes.  

A recent study conducted by the Cleveland Clinic is providing support for the view that weight loss surgeries can stave off and even reverse the course of diabetes. The clinical trial was named STAMPEDE (Surgical Therapy And Medications Potentially Eradicate Diabetes Efficiently) and the ongoing study is already showing that bariatric procedures are effective for fighting diabetes in obese individuals, with major improvements and even complete remission being a frequent outcome.

Dr. Feiz has personally seen the effect noted by STAMPEDE again and again. Many patients who appeared destined to a future of lowered quality of life, chronic illness, and a dramatically shortened lifespan have dramatically reversed course thanks to his work. When receiving such procedures as sleeve gastrectomies or lap band surgery, Los Angeles residents and people from around the world have seen outstanding outcomes. Time and time again, patients who previously were unable to resist the feelings of hunger that plague people trying to alter their eating habits have found it far easier to dramatically reduce their food consumption following a weight loss procedure. The result is dramatic and sustained weight loss and dramatically improved blood sugar levels.

Clearly, the realization that bariatric operations may be the most effective treatment available for diabetes is of enormous importance. Right now, an estimated 26 million children and adults – 8.3 percent of the entire United States population – are living with diabetes. Moreover, a stunning 79 million prediabetic people are threatened with developing type 2 diabetes over the coming years.

Especially when combined with hypertension, also very common in severely overweight people, diabetes can be an extremely serious illness. The incidence of heart attack, kidney failure, stroke, blindness, and amputations all increase dramatically for diabetes sufferers. Aside from the risk of premature death, many diabetes sufferers find themselves painfully debilitated for the final years or decades of their lives.

This November, Dr. Michael Feiz would like to observe American Diabetes Month by letting the public know that a diagnosis of the illness is far from inevitable. Even if you are obese and dealing with elevated blood sugar, rising blood pressure, and other risk factors, a significant and long-term weight loss is the best possible method for dealing with the illness. If repeated attempts to lose weight through reduced calorie diets and exercise are not making an impact, then it may make sense to investigate weight loss surgery.