Obesity Surgery Seen As Potential Diabetes Cure
Since the Focus28 office lines have been ablaze with phone calls over the last week relating to the recent publicity relating to the potential of obesity surgery being a potential cure for diabetes we felt it was most appropriate to reference an article published earlier this year by the Associated Press relating to the subject.
Obviously this news is monumental and could change the lives of many of those who have been battling both obesity and diabetes for years. Please stay tuned as we continue to report the latest news on the Focus28 expert blog and remember - everyday is a journey and is worth celebrating.
Be well,
The Focus28 team
Obesity surgery seen as potential diabetes cure
CHICAGO, Illinois (AP) — A small new study gives the strongest evidence yet that obesity surgery can cure diabetes
Obesity is a major risk factor for diabetes; rates for both are climbing.
Patients who had surgery to reduce the size of their stomachs were five times more likely to see their diabetes disappear over the next two years than were patients who had standard diabetes care, according to Australian researchers.
Most of the surgery patients were able to stop taking diabetes drugs and achieve normal blood tests.
“It’s the best therapy for diabetes that we have today, and it’s very low risk,” said Dr. John Dixon of Monash University Medical School in Melbourne, Australia, lead author of the study, which involved 55 patients.
The surgery performed was stomach banding, a procedure more common in Australia than in the United States, where gastric bypass surgery, or stomach stapling, predominates.
Gastric bypass is even more effective against diabetes, achieving remission in a matter of days or a month, said Dr. David Cummings, who wrote an accompanying editorial in the journal but was not involved in the study.
“We have traditionally considered diabetes to be a chronic, progressive disease,” said Cummings of the University of Washington in Seattle. “But these operations really do represent a realistic hope for curing most patients.”
Diabetes experts who read the study said surgery should be considered for some obese patients, but more research is needed to see how long results last and which patients benefit most. Surgery risks should be weighed against diabetes drug side effects and the long-term risks of diabetes itself, they said.
Experts generally agree that weight-loss surgery would never be appropriate for diabetics who are not obese, and current federal guidelines restrict the surgery to obese people.
The diabetes benefits of weight-loss surgery were known, but the Australian study in Wednesday’s Journal of the American Medical Association is the first of its kind to compare diabetes in patients randomly assigned to surgery or standard care. Scientists consider randomized studies to yield the highest-quality evidence.
The study involved 55 patients, so experts will be looking for results of larger experiments under way.
“Few studies really qualify as being a landmark study. This one is,” said Dr. Philip Schauer, who was not involved in the Australian research but leads a Cleveland Clinic study that is recruiting 150 obese people with diabetes to compare two types of surgery and standard medical care.
“This opens an entirely new way of thinking about diabetes.”
Obesity is a major risk factor for diabetes, and researchers are furiously pursuing reasons for the link as rates for both climb. What’s known is that excess fat can cause the body’s normal response to insulin to go haywire. Researchers are investigating insulin-regulating hormones released by fat and the role of fatty acids in the blood.
In the Australian study, all the patients were obese and had a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes during the previous two years. Their average age was 47. Half the patients underwent a type of surgery called laparoscopic gastric banding, where an adjustable silicone cuff is installed around the upper stomach, limiting how much a person can eat.
Both groups lost weight over two years; the surgery patients lost 46 pounds on average, while the standard-care patients lost an average of 3 pounds.
Blood tests showed diabetes remission in 22 of the 29 surgery patients after two years. In the standard-care group, only four of the 26 patients achieved that goal. The patients who lost the most weight were the most likely to eliminate their diabetes.
Both patient groups learned about low-fat, high-fiber diets and were encouraged to exercise. Both groups could meet with a health professional every six weeks for two years.
The death rate for stomach band surgery, which can cost $17,000 to $20,000, is about 1 in 1,000. There were only minor complications in the study. Stomach stapling has a 2 percent death rate and costs $20,000 to $30,000.
In the United States, surgeons perform more than 100,000 obesity surgeries each year.
The American Diabetes Association is interested in the findings. The group revises its recommendations each fall, taking new research into account.
“There is a growing body of evidence that bariatric surgery is an effective tool for managing diabetes,” said Dr. John Buse of the University of North Carolina School of Medicine in Chapel Hill, the association’s president for medicine and science.
It’s just a question of how effective is it, for what spectrum of patients, over what period of time and at what cost? Not all those questions have been answered yet.”
Medical devices used in the study were provided by the manufacturers, but the companies had no say over the study’s design or its findings, Dixon said.
It’s just a question of how effective is it, for what spectrum of patients, over what period of time and at what cost? Not all those questions have been answered yet.”
Medical devices used in the study were provided by the manufacturers, but the companies had no say over the study’s design or its findings, Dixon said.
Copyright 2008 The Associated Press
http://edition.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/diet.fitness/01/22/diabetes.obesity.surgery.ap/index.html
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If you are obese you run the risk for many issues and if having this surgery can reduce those risks i opt for surgery.
Comment by Ginger P — July 30, 2008 @ 10:58 am
Im glad you brought this to my attention. I am going to inform my son in law ,who is severly overweight and also suffers from Diabetes. A little bit of hope .
Comment by Larry D — August 1, 2008 @ 2:29 pm
I am going to devote more time into researching this option.Ive never thought about this surgery because i am a diabetic . Something to find out more about for sure .Thank You
Comment by Karly R — August 1, 2008 @ 5:03 pm
I am just starting to hear that the surgery can cure diabetes. I am obese, but have always been afraid to go through surgery. Now I have diabetes and I am getting scared. I am looking into the surgery, and I think almost ready to do it. Focus 28 has such great articles and so much information for me. Thank you for keeping the world up do date.
Comment by Sophia B. — August 1, 2008 @ 5:21 pm
I have had diabetes for quite some time. Now I am learning that this surgery could help me. Thanks for a good read
Comment by Alexandria Q. — August 5, 2008 @ 3:10 pm
I am reading everyone’s comments regarding this article and I am feeling very lucky to have read them and this article. I am now convinced to have the surgery, asap!
Comment by Suzzy A. — August 7, 2008 @ 10:22 am
I’ve had diabetes forever it seems. I am also obese. I’ve been considering this surgery to help with my weight problems and never realized that it would help with my diabetes as well.
Comment by Sally M. — August 7, 2008 @ 1:38 pm
Obese with Diabetes, that was me before my surgery. 150 lbs less, my diabetes is in check and my obesity is almost gone. I have to lose 10 more pounds to get out of the stagima of “Obese”. Then I will just be overweight by a few pounds. I feel great.
Comment by Sue S. — August 7, 2008 @ 4:40 pm
I a one of those statistics of the overweight and diabetic. Since my surgery and my new found hlp through Focus 28, my doctors are very optomistic about my diabetes.
Comment by Lauren S — August 11, 2008 @ 10:38 am
This is really good news for me as well as my daughter we have both been struggling with our weight and our diabetes for many years .We will both be looking into this more.
Comment by Carly R — August 12, 2008 @ 11:04 am
I keep hearing this all over the news. Now, I see it here. I am definately going to look into this further.
Comment by Mike Z. — August 14, 2008 @ 9:01 am
I have diabetes and I am also obese. My doctors are really confident that if I have the surgery, it will help with my diabetes. This article is right on target with my doctors. Thanks.
Comment by Greg G. — August 14, 2008 @ 12:20 pm
I have been a diabetic for years and always thought surgery was not an option for me now i know differently and am so glad i found this artical.Thank You
Comment by Stella S — August 20, 2008 @ 10:01 am
I have already spoke to my doctor about having the lapband and now reading this just makes me want it more…I will be moving forward now!
Comment by Gabriel K — August 20, 2008 @ 10:59 am
I am so excited about getting the lapband surgery i have already spoke to my doctor and he too thinks it will be good for me. I will let you guys know how everything works out for me.
Comment by Sara G — August 20, 2008 @ 11:08 am
I feel great, and I look great. I stay positive and keep on track. The surgery is wonderful and it will change your life forever. You will begin to live.
Comment by Charlie F. — August 21, 2008 @ 8:29 am
Charlie is right. The surgery changed my life forever. I just began to live, happily, since my surgery. My health is the best its ever been. I no longer have diabetes and I feel great.
Comment by Alice D. — August 21, 2008 @ 10:33 am
The surgery helped me tremendously with my diabetes as well as my obesity. I have a long way to go, but it’s true. Your health will improve all around.
Comment by Aaron C. — August 21, 2008 @ 1:09 pm
My doctor told me to have the surgery to help with my health (obesity and diabetes) I was sceptical regarding the diabetes, but this article and the news have helped me to change my mind.
Comment by Lauren L. — August 21, 2008 @ 2:28 pm
Oh thank goodness there is a light at the end of this tunnel! Something for me to look into and take seriously.I cant wait to speak to my doctor about this artical..Thank You!
Comment by Jannie R — August 22, 2008 @ 11:42 am
exercise and diabetes
is this site a joke?.. it’s really good, congratulations
Trackback by exercise and diabetes — August 24, 2008 @ 7:17 am
I intend to research the surgery much more after hearing this.
Comment by jamie R — September 1, 2008 @ 3:09 pm
This was the best information i have heard.Thank You!
Comment by Ashleigh A — September 1, 2008 @ 7:18 pm
Cant wait to let my mom know about this! Thank You
Comment by Tye J — September 2, 2008 @ 12:18 pm
Happy to report i am feeling fantastic and was so glad to have had the lapband surgery done.My diabetes is under control so far and im healthy
Comment by Erica F — September 3, 2008 @ 1:18 pm
This is some very uplifting info ! I am on my way to discuss it with my doctor.Thanks
Comment by William B — September 3, 2008 @ 2:59 pm
My doctor has given me the go ahead and i am all set to go..
Comment by Gabbie F — September 4, 2008 @ 7:04 am
I have had the surgery and couldnt have been more happy with my out come.. Thank you guys for all your important information.
Comment by Petra W — September 4, 2008 @ 9:13 am
I have had diabetes for years and i am also extremly over weight. Now i have aliile something to hope for i pray my doctor will agree..
Comment by Dana S — September 4, 2008 @ 2:01 pm
I thought after finding out i had diabetes it was all over for me, but boy was i wrong .I had the lapband and im great..
Comment by Raymond F — September 4, 2008 @ 3:11 pm