Very recent studies have shown that obesity surgery such as that performed at some Hartford clinics have shown to improve the health of patients with diabetes. The study was reported at a conference held in Washington the last week of March by the American College of Cardiology. Results were also noted by the New England Journal of Medicine online. The study was led by Dr. Philip Schauer of the Cleveland Clinic.
In some cases patients were able to discontinue insulin as early as three days following obesity surgery. More than 90 percent of the patients who underwent obesity surgery no longer required insulin at the three year point post surgery. Of the patients tested prior to surgery close to half of them were using insulin to treat diabetes.
Those patients involved in the study who did not receive surgery saw a use of medication rise from 52 percent to 55 percent at the same three year milestone. One patient was taking medications for not only diabetes but for high cholesterol and high blood pressure. Five years following surgery she no longer required any of them.
There are approximately 26 million people in America who have diabetes with two thirds of them being considered obese or overweight. It is a condition of much concern as it is the number one cause of other issues including stroke, kidney failure, sight and eye issues and heart disease.
The 150 patients who underwent obesity surgery had average blood sugar measures of 9 compared to the safe level of 7 recommended by the American Diabetes Association. Follow up three years later found that those who continued on medications saw an average level of 8.4 whereas those with the obesity surgery were at 6.7. Gastric bypass patients had the best results.
Those who underwent surgery also were able to lose 21 to 25 percent of their body weight. Those who were only taking meds saw only a 4 percent reduction. Heart risk factors such as high cholesterol also improved for those who had surgery meaning they required less medication or were no longer in need of them.
Doctors feel it could be the trimming of fat that assists the metabolism in producing less insulin that is responsible for the success.
The obesity surgery Hartford patients seek can be discussed with Dr. Elmer Valin.
