Do you know someone affected by diabetes? With a recent report from the CDC citing that more than 30 million people in the United States now have diabetes (including diagnosed and undiagnosed), chances are you or someone you know has diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is the most prevalent type, accounting for up to 95 percent of all cases. Unlike type 1 diabetes, obesity is a major contributor to developing type 2 diabetes. It is a chronic and progressive disease, meaning that people typically need higher doses and more medications as the disease progresses and worsens. In fact, according to the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS), diabetes is one of the top ten leading causes of U.S. deaths. These statistics highlight how significant of health problem diabetes is, and thankfully awareness is growing, with November even being designated as Diabetes Awareness month.
Awareness and prevention are essential, but what about those 30 million Americans who already have diabetes? How is it treated? Typical treatment includes lifestyle modifications and various medications to control blood sugar levels. What many patients don’t realize is that there may be a better treatment option—one that addresses both diabetes and obesity simultaneously –and it’s bariatric surgery.
As a weight loss surgery specialist, Dr. Misra sees many patients who are struggling with both obesity and type 2 diabetes. Thankfully, we are able to help many of these patients reverse their diabetes and lose weight through bariatric surgery. Evidence shows that bariatric surgery improves diabetes in roughly 90 percent of patients by lowering blood sugar, reducing the dosage and type of medication required and improving diabetes-related health problems. While bariatric surgery certainly has some risk, the long-term risk of continued diabetes (which is often inadequately treated with medication) typically far outweighs the risk of a minimally-invasive surgical procedure. The improvements and risks do vary slightly by type of weight loss procedure, and Dr. Misra will discuss all of your options with you during your consultation to ensure you receive the best treatment for your individual needs. You can schedule your consultation by calling 800-788-1394 or contact us online here.