Type 2 diabetes is a serious disease that can be managed, but once it develops, it does not go away. Part of managing this condition is reaching a healthy weight.
Do you have type 2 diabetes and are struggling to control your blood sugar levels? If so, this blog post is for you. Gastric sleeve surgery can help manage type 2 diabetes by putting you in a good position to lose a significant amount of weight. Here’s what you need to know about it.
What Sleeve Gastrectomy Does
With the gastric sleeve, the majority of the stomach is eliminated, creating a small pouch to hold food. Only about 15-20 percent of the stomach remains. Eliminated with much of the stomach is the part of the organ that produces the hunger hormone ghrelin. As a result, the patient must eat smaller portions of food and does not feel hungry as often.
How Gastric Sleeve Surgery Improves Diabetes
If someone has type 1 diabetes, gastric sleeve surgery will not make a significant difference. However, with type 2 diabetes, it does.
Studies have found that bariatric surgery, including gastric sleeve, has better outcomes for type 2 diabetes management than intensive medical therapy. Post-surgery, patients tend to see significant improvements in insulin resistance and glycemic control. For many patients, the disease becomes fully controlled once they lose enough weight after their surgery.
Diabetes and Gastric Sleeve: Not a Miracle Cure
Something we have to note here is that just getting the gastric sleeve does not guarantee that your diabetes will improve or become fully controlled. This is because surgery is just one part of the equation; you still need to do your part.
After surgery, you’ll need to alter your diet. This means eating less, avoiding empty calories, increasing your protein intake, and consuming fewer carbs. Plus, you’ll need to exercise 3-5 days a week. When these changes are combined with surgery, they can end your battle with diabetes. But if you don’t follow through, you won’t see much of a change in your condition.
Diabetes is a serious condition that can be managed with the help of gastric sleeve surgery. If you are overweight and have diabetes, there’s no time like the present to take control of your health. Reach out to West Texas Bariatrics for more information on how our team of experts can help you live an active life while managing this disease.
