An increasing number of overweight or obese patients with diabetes have been opting for weight loss surgeries, such as bariatric procedures, as a way to better manage their diabetes and other complications of excess weight and bad nutrition. A recent study from prominent Los Angeles surgeon Dr. Michael Feiz, FACS, reveals these procedures can also reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by as much as 80 percent, making them reliable approaches to management as well as prevention. The findings are currently available in the The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology journal.
The researchers gathered patient data from 2,167 obese individuals that have undergone either Lap Band, sleeve gastrectomy, or gastric bypass procedure, and analyzed these against data obtained from the same number of similarly obese individuals that did not elect any type of weight loss surgery. Over a 3 year period, 177 of the patients who did not undergo any surgery developed type 2 diabetes, compared to only 38 of those who elected a procedure. While these findings may be alarming, further study is needed to establish the link between these surgical procedures and the prevention of type 2 diabetes. It is also important to stress the efficacy of weight loss procedures is not “magic,” and still depends on several factors, aside from weight and food intake, that drive diabetes.
According to Dr. Feiz, one proactive approach to either managing the disease or preventing it is to team up with a skilled and hands-on surgeon, whose patient care does not stop once outside the operating room, but extends to comprehensive case study and patient support. Earlier this year, he was invited as a guest on The Doctors TV for a segment on weight loss. He featured several of his patients five months after their weight loss procedures. 3 women had opted for sleeve gastrectomies, and testified on the show that they have been reaping the many health benefits of their operation. Clarissa Colone claimed her glucose levels have been normal, compared to her pre-diabetic state prior to the surgery.
Dr. Feiz regularly and expertly performs this type of weight loss surgery and several others in his clinic in Beverly Hills, and in other locations in Southern California. Those interested, or those who know someone who may benefit from a consultation with Dr. Feiz can visit his website.
