How Does Weight Loss Surgery Help Type 2 Diabetes?

Bariatric surgery has become a powerful tool in managing type 2 diabetes. It is often recommended for individuals struggling with obesity and comorbidities like diabetes who have not found success through diet, exercise, or medication alone. Common procedures include gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, and biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch. While each procedure differs in approach, they all aim to reduce food intake and promote significant weight loss, which can drastically improve blood sugar level, and improve or resolve  weight-related illnesses.

For people with type 2 diabetes, excess weight plays a major role in insulin resistance, making it difficult for the body to regulate blood sugar. By helping patients lose substantial weight, bariatric surgery reduces the body’s need for insulin. This often leads to a reduction in the dosage of diabetes medications, and some patients may even be able to stop using medications like insulin altogether. The ADA includes metabolic/bariatric surgery as part of its recommended treatments for appropriate patients with BMI greater than 35.

Beyond weight loss, these surgeries also trigger changes in the body’s hormonal responses. Specifically, they impact gut hormones that influence insulin production and blood sugar regulation, further enhancing diabetes control. These hormonal changes often occur before significant weight loss takes place, meaning improvements in blood sugar control can begin almost immediately after surgery.

Research has shown that bariatric surgery can lead to long-term remission of type 2 diabetes for many patients. Studies suggest that weight loss surgery is more effective at achieving remission than traditional methods like lifestyle changes or medication alone. However, not everyone with type 2 diabetes is a candidate for surgery. Consulting with an experienced bariatric surgeon is essential to determine the best course of action for each individual.

If you are living with type 2 diabetes and finding it difficult to manage your condition, our team at Suburban Surgical Care Specialists / Kane Center can help you determine whether weight loss surgery is a suitable option to improve your health and diabetes control.