Weight Loss Surgery Can Help Type 2 Diabetes Resolve
Move over, Turkey day! November is Diabetes Awareness Month. But, in truth, there is never a bad time to shine a spotlight on this debilitating disease. Most recent stats report that diabetes affects more than 34 million people in the United States. That’s more than one in 10 people dealing with diabetes!
As it relates to obesity and weight loss, we want to focus on type 2 Diabetes here, but it is important to lay a foundation and to understand the differences between type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a disease characterized by high levels of blood glucose resulting from defects in insulin production, insulin action or both. Type 1 diabetes develops when the body’s immune system destroys pancreatic beta cells; the only cells in the body that make the hormone insulin that regulates blood glucose. This form of diabetes usually strikes children and young adults, although disease onset can occur at any age.
Type 1 diabetes accounts for only five to 10 percent of all diagnosed cases of diabetes. Type 2 diabetes, however, accounts for some 90 to 95 percent of all diagnosed cases of diabetes. It usually begins as insulin resistance, a disorder in which the cells do not use insulin properly. As the need for insulin rises, the pancreas gradually loses its ability to produce insulin.
The risk of developing type 2 diabetes is determined by some factors that can be modified and others that cannot. Some people are at higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes because of their genes. A first-degree relative of a person with type 2 diabetes has a risk five to 10 times higher than a person without a family history. Low birth weight is also thought to be a risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes later in life.
Important to note: At all ages, the risk of type 2 diabetes rises with increasing body weight. The prevalence of type 2 diabetes is three to seven times higher in those affected by obesity than in normal-weight adults and is 20 times more likely in those with a body mass index (BMI) greater than 35 kg/m 2.
The Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes Connection
It is unknown why some people develop insulin resistance, but it is well known that obesity and lack of physical activity make it worse. The connection is also seen in the fact that weight loss can improve control or even cure type 2 diabetes. Did you catch that? It’s a bold claim, but science supports it. Achieving and maintaining a healthy body weight can cure your type 2 diabetes!
A recent study showed that 84 percent of people who had bypass versions of weight loss surgery experienced a complete reversal of their type 2 diabetes. Rapid improvement in blood sugar levels and reduction or elimination of diabetic medications is often seen within the immediate period following bariatric surgery, even before significant weight loss occurs.
—Folahan Ayoola, MD, founder of Weight Loss Specialists of North Texas
Change Your Story
If you are one of the millions of Americans who deal with obesity, and type 2 diabetes is part of your story, weight loss surgery can change your story.
Many people come to Weight Loss Specialists of North Texas looking for help in losing a significant amount of weight and with related conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes. Most people considering bariatric surgery have done their research. They’ve typically tried many different approaches to weight loss on their own (often multiple times) and are ready to make a significant move to lose the weight for good and regain control of their health and their lives.
To these people, we say hooray!! And welcome! We’re so glad you’re here. And great news, we can help. There are several types of bariatric surgery, and we won’t know which procedure will give you the best chance at losing the weight and keeping it off for a lifetime until we spend some time getting to know you and assessing your overall health, lifestyle and weight loss goals.
Say Goodbye to Try
If you struggle with your weight, you’ve probably tried everything out there – diets, exercise, pills, hypnosis – anything that promises results. But often, these just leave you even more frustrated and disappointed.
If you’re tired of trying and failing, we understand. Let’s change that. At Weight Loss Specialists of North Texas, we have solutions. Get ready to say goodbye to try! And say hello to the best version of yourself.
Let’s talk and see if weight loss surgery could be the health solution you’ve been looking for.
