Nicholson Clinic

Making the decision to undergo weight loss surgery is a big one that demands plenty of thought, research and advice. While bariatric surgery can prove incredibly helpful for assisting those who struggle with their weight to lose the pounds once and for all, many procedures do result in the permanent alteration of the body. With that in mind, there are a number of points patients may want to consider before moving forward. Why Consider Weight Loss Surgery ? It is estimated that 300,000 Americans die each year due to illnesses linked to obesity. Being overweight can contribute to the development of such potentially fatal conditions as heart disease, stroke and diabetes. Obesity has also been strongly linked to a number of different types of potentially fatal cancer. Shedding pounds safely and in a healthy manner can help lower the odds of health-related concerns. For some diabetics, researchers are finding that bariatric surgery may even reverse the effects of the disease over time,

With growing obesity rates strongly linked to the rise of type 2 diabetes cases across the country, doctors are looking for ways to help patients shed pounds while bringing their blood sugar levels under control. A small-scale study recently released in JAMA shows that weight loss surgery may provide the assistance required to help successfully treat the symptoms of diabetes. Researchers found that while diet and exercise are helpful in diabetes management, weight loss surgery can prove to be even more beneficial. About two thirds of the patients in the study who underwent a particular type of gastric bypass procedure did not require diabetes medication three years after surgery. Of those who underwent adjustable gastric banding, a third no longer needed medications, researchers found. The study was undertaken by the University of Pittsburg Medical Center. It involved 61 obese people who had all been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. All patients were between the ages of 22 and 55.