Gastric Bypass Could Help Control Obesity-Related Illnesses

A review of over 30 studies found that diabetic people with moderate obesity lost weight and had better glucose control over a two year period when treated with bariatric surgery as opposed to non-surgical alternatives that included dieting and medications, according to a new study.

"Bariatric surgery for diabetic people who are not severely obese has shown promising results in controlling glucose," Dr. Melinda Maggard-Gibbons, the study's lead author and a surgeon at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA said, according to CTV News.

"However, we need more information about the long-term benefits and risks before recommending bariatric surgery over non-surgical weight-loss treatment for these individuals."

The findings from the study still show a relatively small number of trials performed at only a few academic surgery centers.

Weight loss surgery may be an option for those who are very overweight or who cannot lose pounds with a healthy diet and exercise. Surgery is usually available for men who are at least 100 pounds overweight and women who are at least 80 pounds overweight. If you are somewhat less overweight, surgery can still be an option if you also have diabetes, heart disease or sleep apnea.

However, it's important to note that there are certain limits surrounding weight loss surgery that must be taken into account when considering certain procedures. For instance, the amount of food that can be consumed following surgery is greatly restricted. As a result, digestive problems can occur if more food than recommended is eaten. Yet, health officials note that with following the proper dietary guidelines and exercise recommendations, weight can come off quickly and be kept off.

However, the surgical procedure itself also involves various risks and complications, including infections, hernias and blood clots.

The federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services would not approve coverage for patients with lower BMI and diabetes for the procedure in 2006. Yet, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved gastric banding for individuals with a BMI of 30 to 35 who have an obesity-related illness.

Researchers note that before weight-loss surgery is recommended for people on the lower end of the obesity spectrum, further studies need to be conducted. 

The study is published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.