Private MD News

Gastric bypass offers strong results for diabetics

Category: Diabetes

Gastric bypass surgery may lead to significantly improved HbA1c test results for diabetics, particularly when compared to other types of weight loss surgery. These are the findings of a new study from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health.

Researchers compared the effects of traditional gastric bypass to newer forms of weight loss surgery, including lap-band surgery. These newer options were introduced as less invasive procedures that offer shorter healing time.

However, the researchers found that they are significantly less effective. Compared to participants who had traditional gastric bypass surgery, individuals who opted for the less invasive options lost far less weight and showed less improvement in diabetes symptoms. Some of the patients in the gastric bypass group were even able to resolve their diabetes completely.

Given the fact that obesity and diabetes are two problems that are plaguing society, the researchers said that gastric bypass should be given first consideration over other types of weight loss surgery.

"Our study shows that gastric bypass, when performed in high-volume centers by expert surgeons, has a similar rate of overall complications and lower rate of re-operations than laparoscopic adjustable gastric band," they wrote in their report.