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Bariatric Surgery Improves Blood Sugar Control in Obese Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

Bariatric Surgery Improves Blood Sugar Control in Obese Patients with Type 2 Diabetes
Bariatric Surgery Boca Raton, FL | Type 2 Diabetes Fort Lauderdale | Naples & Tampa

Bariatric surgery, specifically gastric bypass and gastric sleeve surgery, improves blood sugar in obese patients with Type 2 diabetes significantly more than medical nutrition therapy alone. These are the findings from the three year follow up by the researchers in the STAMPEDE clinical trial.

In the study, 150 obese patients with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes were split into 3 groups: medical nutrition therapy, gastric sleeve, or gastric bypass. The goal researchers were trying to achieve was a glycated hemoglobin (or Hgba1c) of 6% or less, which indicates well controlled blood sugar levels. This was no small feat considering the initial mean glycated hemoglobin was 9.3%.

After 3 years, the results were clear: bariatric surgery improved blood sugar control significantly more than medical nutrition therapy alone. Only 5% medical nutrition therapy patients were able to achieve the goal of 6% Hgba1c after 3 years. Gastric sleeve patients had significantly more success with 24% achieving the goal of 6%. But the most success came from the gastric bypass group with 38% reaching the goal of 6% Hgba1c.

The improvements in the glycated hemoglobin could only be possible by an overall sustained reduction in blood sugar. Glycated hemoglobin is a measure of how much hemoglobin in the bloodstream has glucose bound to it. This measure gives clinicians an overview of how well controlled the patient’s blood sugar was over the past 2-3 months. A glycated hemoglobin of 6 would indicate a very well controlled blood sugar, which is a difficult task for those with type 2 diabetes.

The importance of controlling blood sugar when you have type 2 diabetes can not be overstated. People with type 2 diabetes are at higher risk of blindness, stroke, heart attack, kidney disease, amputations, and death than those without type 2 diabetes. By controlling their blood sugar, diabetics can reduce the risk of complications.

People with type 2 diabetes often also have obesity. By controlling their diet and with weight loss, diabetics can improve their blood sugar control. Gastric sleeve and gastric bypass surgery can be the tools obese diabetics need to improve their eating habits, lose weight, and reduce their dependence on diabetes medications.

If you have type 2 diabetes, are overweight or obese, and are considering gastric sleeve or gastric bypass surgery, call Dr. Shillingford’s office today at (561) 483-8840. Dr. Shillingford offers free weekly informational sessions detailing the different types of bariatric surgery so patients can determine which is best for them. Dr. Shillingford, MD, PA is a Boca Raton based surgeon specializing in advanced laparoscopic and weight loss surgery. With over 4,000 surgical procedures performed, Dr. Shillingford is a proven leader in his field.