How Does Weight Loss Surgery Reverse Type 2 Diabetes?

Significant weight loss with weight loss surgery can often send Type 2 diabetes into remission.

Excess weight often plays in important role in the development of Type 2 diabetes since both are the result of problems with your body’s metabolism. Thus, significant weight loss with weight loss surgery can often send Type 2 diabetes into remission.

In fact, at Long Island Laparoscopic Doctors, Dr. Hesham Atwa and his team find that within a short time after weight loss surgery, up to 77% of their weight loss surgery patients are no longer on their Type 2 Diabetes medications. And, in studies that measure resolution or improvement of Type 2 Diabetes, the percentage increases to 86% of patients.

Reasons Why Reversal of Type 2 Diabetes is Possible with Weight Loss Surgery

While the exact mechanisms by which weight loss surgery reverses Type 2 diabetes are not fully understood, there are several theories:

1. The first theory is rapid weight loss. Weight loss surgery typically results in rapid weight loss, which can lead to a decrease in insulin resistance and an improvement in your blood sugar control.
2. The second theory is changes in your stomach or gut hormones. Weight loss surgery can lead to changes in the hormones produced in your stomach. This includes an increase in the production of hormones that stimulate insulin secretion as well as a decrease in ghrelin – a hormone that stimulates your appetite.
3. Third, reduced inflammation. Obesity is associated with chronic inflammation, which can contribute to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Weight loss surgery can reduce inflammation, which may help to improve your blood sugar control.

Overall, weight loss surgery can lead to significant improvements in your blood sugar control and lower or eliminate the need for diabetes medications if you suffer from Type 2 Diabetes.

Other Important Considerations

If you have Type 2 Diabetes, you will need to closely monitor your blood sugar and Hemoglobin A1C levels closely with your surgeon and your primary care physician or endocrinologist before and after weight loss surgery. Diabetic medications/treatments should be adjusted as directed.

To maximize your results after weight loss surgery, it is also important to follow the recommendations of your surgeon and attend your follow-up visits. Other important considerations include:

1. Follow the nutritional guidelines closely after surgery and throughout your first year. Embrace these recommendations so that you can integrate them into your life long-term. Be sure to ask questions along the way.
2. Integrate activities you enjoy and fitness that begins at your level before and after surgery. Your comprehensive support team will be able to help with this as well. The important thing is to move your body and incorporate some form of resistance training so you are building muscle and enhancing your overall metabolism.
3. Acknowledge and accept that plateaus during your weight loss journey are normal. If you experience a weight loss plateau, stay the course and mix up your fitness routine for variety and added caloric burn.
4. There are many changes after weight loss surgery and there is no need to go it alone. Don’t hesitate to seek support whenever needed through your surgeon’s office and on-site or online support groups.
5. Enjoy the journey along the way and celebrate your scale and non-scale wins. You are more than worth it!

If you would like more information regarding weight loss surgery or if you are ready to get started, please reach out to us. We are here to answer any questions you may have and guide you on your journey to better health.