It is important for us to clarify that lap band surgery will not cure your diabetes. Bariatric surgery does have the power to greatly improve your blood sugar levels and overall numbers. Improvements in blood sugar levels makes it possible for you to decrease your dependence on diabetes-related medications. While bariatric surgery is not an exclusive diabetes treatment there is a direct correlation with weight loss surgery and improvements in diabetes health issues.
LAP-BAND surgery can make a difference; patients could use less medication or none at all for TYPE 2 Diabetes or Insulin Resistance. Type I diabetes could see improvements with weight loss but Type I diabetics will always need therapy.
During our 11 years of performing Lap Band surgery, Doctor McEwen’s gastric band patients have shown improvements with cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and joint pain. This has led to some patients eliminating the need for medications and/or improving their dependency on diabetic medications. Weight loss surgery may not cure diabetes, but can help patients obtain better health through more precise blood sugar control and potentially less overall medication and complications.
Each patient is different, so it’s important to understand the relationship between weight and diabetes (type-1 or type-2) and the proper treatment of both. Type-1 diabetes is when the pancreas fails to produce any insulin for your body to use while type-2 diabetes is when the pancreas produces some insulin, but not be enough or your body may not be able to the insulin efficiently. In other words, type-1 diabetes will always depend on medication whereas patients with type-2 may be able to revert to no medication dependency or lower doses depending on a variety of health-related factors.
Weight loss and better nutrition with the Lap Band System can help stabilize and lower your blood sugar levels if the recommended diet and exercise regimen is properly adhered to. With weight loss surgery, you will be eating less calories overall (specifically less refined carbohydrates, sugar, and saturated fat) and as you lose weight, your blood sugar should improve. This including your Hemoglobin A1c which is a measure of your blood sugar average over the past 90 days. Medical studies and research continue to gather information on exactly how and why bariatric surgery has a direct connection to diabetes remission. There is, however, a great deal of strong research studies that recommends bariatric surgery as a way to improve diabetes by the American Diabetes Association and other reputable federal agencies.
For personalized information on LAP-BAND surgery click here and ORBERA click here.
On Wednesday, June 14th Doctor Keith McEwen will host a FREE info seminar where he will talk about the procedure and other topics. Don’t want to wait? We don’t blame you, call us at 317-621-2500 and our team will set up a consultation with Dr. McEwen to answer all the questions you may have.
To learn more about Dr. McEwen and Community Surgery Center Hamilton team visit our Facebook page or call our office at 317-621-2500.
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