How Can Weight Loss Surgery Help Type 2 Diabetes?

Did you know that weight loss surgery in Toronto can alleviate or get rid of your type 2 diabetes entirely? According to WebMD, research shows improvements in this disease after weight loss surgery. One long-term study tracked 400 people with type 2 diabetes. Six years after bariatric surgery, such as the mini gastric bypass or gastric sleeve, 62% showed no signs of diabetes. (1) They also had better blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels.

What is Type 2 Diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes is a disease where your body is unable to make enough insulin (a hormone that helps regulate your blood sugar), or it is unable to use that insulin the way it is supposed to. Due to this, the sugars build up in the bloodstream instead of being used for energy, which can cause serious health issues. As symptoms aren’t always easy to spot, some people can go months not knowing they have diabetes.

How Can You Get Type 2 Diabetes?

The occurrence of type 2 diabetes is increased by these risk factors, according to Diabetes Canada: (2)

High blood pressure
High levels of cholesterol or other fats in the blood
A high BMI or are overweight
Prediabetes (impaired glucose tolerance or impaired fasting glucose)
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
Psychiatric disorders
Sleep apnea
Darkened patches of skin called acanthosis nigricans (3)

Does Weight Loss Surgery Help Type 2 Diabetes?

Weight loss options like the mini gastric bypass, gastric sleeve, and Lap-Band (gastric band) procedures can alleviate or even put type 2 diabetes into remission. SmartShape offers these bariatric surgery options at our weight loss centre in Toronto, Ontario.

“Although diabetes is traditionally viewed as a chronic, relentless disease in which delay of end-organ complications is the major treatment goal, bariatric surgery offers a novel end point: major improvement or even complete disease remission.”
– Dr. Andrei Keidar, “Bariatric Surgery for Type 2 Diabetes Reversal: The Risks” (4)

Why Does Weight Loss Surgery Help Type 2 Diabetes?

The small intestine starts producing a molecule after bariatric surgery that can help the body properly use the sugar that it creates. (5) This is likely due to the small intestine having to work harder to absorb nutrients or move food through the digestive system after weight loss surgery.

“A systematic review and meta-analysis of the English literature reported complete resolution of type 2 diabetes (defined as discontinuation of all diabetes-related medications and blood glucose levels within the normal range) in 78.1% of cases. This percentage increased to 86.6% when counting patients reporting improvement of glycemic control, and diabetes resolution occurred in concomitance with an average weight loss of 38.5 kg (55.9% of the excess weight).”
– Dr. Andrei Keidar, “Bariatric Surgery for Type 2 Diabetes Reversal: The Risks” (4)

Reclaim Your Health with Weight Loss Surgery in Toronto, Ontario

When trying to lose weight and manage your weight-related health conditions, it’s common for people to end up in a cycle of yo-yo dieting, fad diets, and short-lived exercise routines. It starts a frustrating cycle of losing weight, gaining weight, and feeling defeated by your lack of progress. The good news is that you can achieve long-term weight loss with weight loss surgery at SmartShape in Ontario, Canada.

If your BMI is 30 or above and you struggle with weight-related health conditions, you’re a candidate for bariatric surgery at SmartShape. Weight loss surgery options include the gastric sleeve, gastric band or Lap-Band, and mini gastric bypass surgery. SmartShape has helped thousands of Canadians lose weight safely, alleviate their type 2 diabetes and other health issues, and feel better about the way they look. Our weight loss centre in Toronto also offers all patients access to comprehensive 5-Year AfterCare Success Program. Our AfterCare Success Program offers all patients personalized support from our team of nurses, registered dietitians, and weight loss surgeons for 5 years after your surgery.

If you’re ready to improve your health and finally lose the excess weight for good, explore our weight loss surgery procedures and read about our patient success stories.

Book a free virtual consultation with one of our weight loss surgeons to learn which weight loss surgery is right for your needs. We can’t wait to help you become the best version of yourself.

Further Reading: