A Cure for Diabetes?

Well, this is about as close as you're going to come. And I wouldn't call it a cure. But, I have been working with gastric bypass patients for the past 2 years and have seen many Type 2 diabetics have "resolution" of their diabetes following gastric surgery. In other words, they still have diabetes, but may come completely off their diabetic medications and manage their diabetes with nothing more than healthy lifestyle choices.

What is gastric bypass? Well, when most people say "gastric bypass," they are referring to Roux-en-Y, the picture shown here. However, there are currently several gastric surgeries available. At our facility, we offer four different procedures: the Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB), the Adjustable Gastric Band (AGB), the Vertical Sleeve and the Duodenal Switch. The Duodenal Switch, according to a 2004 study, had nearly a 99% remission rate of diabetes. However, this is the most drastic/invasive of all the procedures and is not done nearly as often as the other three. The most common of the four in the United States is the RYGB and, although the "remission rates" vary from study to study, overall, the numbers are approximately 90% of Type 2 diabetics (Type 1 diabetic are not similarly affected) will come off their medications entirely after surgery. And although, it may take up to 2 years for this to happen, many come off their medications within a few days or weeks of surgery. Although we do not know exactly why, the surgery in and of itself can lead to a resolution of hypo/hyperglycemia.

While nearly 50% of AGB patients may also have a "remission" of their diabetes, the remission seems to be directly related to the weight loss itself, and therefore the remission is not immediate like it often is with RYGB.

If you have diabetes and are interested in gastric surgery, the American Diabetes Association currently recommends considering bariatric surgery if 1) you have Type 2 diabetes and 2) have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of at least 35.