Bariatric surgery - possible treatment for type 2 diabetes mellitus

What role could bariatric surgery possibly play as a treatment for type 2 diabetes mellitus? This topic and several others will be discussed at the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) Sixteenth Annual Meeting & Clinical Congress, Thursday, April 12, 2007 at the Washington State Convention & Trade Center in Seattle.

“There is an undeniable correlation in the relationship between bariatric surgery and endocrinology,” Jeffrey I. Mechanick, MD, FACP, FACE, FACN, said.

The discussion will focus on the role of intestinal hormones that modulate and effect beta cell function. “In some cases we have seen a significant remission in the rate of diabetes and an unexplained regeneration of the beta cell.”

Mechanick also plans to discuss the practical management of metabolic problems that arise from bariatric surgery. “With this type of drastic weight loss, it is common to encounter complications like metabolic bone disease, hyperparathyroidism, and osteoporosis after the surgery.” Mechanick said. “The endocrinologist plays an important role in the treatment of these problems.”

This material will be presented by Dr. Mechanick, Brant K. Oelschlager, MD, and Karen E. Foster-Schubert, MD. This presentation will take place during the Sixteenth Annual Meeting & Clinical Congress at the Washington State Convention & Trade Center on Thursday, April 12, 2007, in Seattle. Dr. Mechanick will be in the Media Room to discuss these findings on Thursday, April 12, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

This is just one of the many sessions featured at this year's Sixteenth Annual Meeting & Clinical Congress. Others include a “Joint Scientific Forum to Explore New Frontiers in Diabetes Management and Emerging Technologies”, “The Beta Cell: Bench to Bedside”, “Management of Low Risk Thyroid Cancer”, an update on “Genetics in Endocrinology”, and “Osteoporosis: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Concepts in Evolution.”

About AACE
AACE is a professional medical organization with more than 6,000 members in the United States and 84 other countries. Founded in 1991, AACE is dedicated to the optimal care of patients with endocrine problems. AACE initiatives inform the public about endocrine disorders. AACE also conducts continuing education programs for clinical endocrinologists, physicians whose advanced, specialized training enables them to be experts in the care of endocrine disease, such as diabetes, thyroid disorders, growth hormone deficiency, osteoporosis, cholesterol disorders, hypertension and obesity. For further information about AACE and the Annual Meeting, visit the AACE web site at