Posted - July 30, 2011

Weight Loss Surgery and Type 2 Diabetes

Studies show that weight loss surgery can cure type-2 diabetes, and this has brought a great deal of hope to many people who suffer from the obesity-related illness. Over 80% of people who have gastric bypass and 60% of those who have gastric banding are able to stop taking their diabetes medication within weeks of surgery.

However, continuing research is bearing out the advice many doctors give their patients: surgery alone is not a cure. Lifelong changes are needed in order to benefit fully from bariatric surgery. In a recently-concluded long-term study, researchers found that ten years after weight loss surgery, only 36% of patients still had healthy blood sugar levels without medication.

This is why patients must be committed to the new healthy eating and regular exercise habits recommended by their doctors. Pay attention to dietary recommendations, and ask your doctor to help you design a meal plan that is appropriate for you. After bariatric surgery, you will only be able to eat small amounts of food at one time, so, you will need to make sure that you get ample nutrition from the food that you eat. You will also have to carefully guard against over-eating, as this can cause your stomach to stretch and decrease the effectiveness of the procedure.

Talk to your doctor about what physical activities are appropriate for you. If you have any mobility restrictions, look into the low-impact exercise programs that are offered at many health clubs in the Dallas area. For instance, water aerobics are a good fit for many people who are unable to take much stress on their joints. Try different activities until you find one that is a good fit for you.

Weight loss surgery involves making huge positive changes in your life. Talk to your doctor to find out more about whether it is appropriate for you.