Bariatric surgery can potentially reverse type 2 diabetes

Although obesity is a notoriously difficult disease to treat conservatively, there is hope. Board-certified bariatric surgeon Michael Feiz, MD, FACS recommends weight loss surgery as a solution for morbidly obese adults who want to get healthy once and for all. Bariatric surgery can potentially reverse type 2 diabetes, as he has personally witnessed in his own patients who have been treated with gastric sleeve and lap band surgery in Los Angeles. In fact, his recent patients Kim White, Michele Files and Constance McLin, among many others, are all diabetes-free within months of their sleeve gastrectomy surgery with the renowned physician.

This startling epidemic that often accompanies moderate to severe obesity, type 2 diabetes, is four times as common among obese adults compared to those of normal weight. What's more astonishing is that the number of adults diagnosed with the disease increases dramatically year after year, according to a 2010 study published by the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research. Second only to smoking, obesity-related illnesses are a top cause of death in the United States, and it's no wonder, with one-third of the population tipping the scales into obese territory. In California alone, more than two million adults are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, and many more are prediabetic. Dr. Feiz is proud to offer help to this population affected with obesity and related illnesses, and reverse the physical, emotional and financial costs that are part and parcel with combatting diseases such as type 2 diabetes.

As the weight of the nation continues to rise, Dr. Feiz is more determined than ever to help Californians affected by obesity. Dr. Feiz also stresses that continuing to live with the hassle, heartache and health problems that are common among diabetics is far riskier than the potential complications of weight loss surgery. Those who live with type 2 diabetes—and others facing the very real possibility of heart disease, kidney disease, vision problems, nerve damage, and blood flow problems to the feet—are encouraged to pursue bariatric surgery. Other concerns, such as a long recovery time, may give potential patients pause. However, Dr. Feiz assures patients that the leaps and bounds made in bariatric technology make the process less of a disruption to everyday life than ever.