Metabolic surgery, also known as weight-loss surgery or bariatric surgery, is becoming more common among people living with diabetes.
This type of surgery helps people lose weight, and many studies have shown that it can also improve blood sugar levels. In some cases, people no longer need diabetes medication after the surgery, which is called remission.
In fact, research has found that about 60 to 80 percent of people who have metabolic surgery see their diabetes go into remission. This has made the surgery an important option for people who struggle to manage their condition with lifestyle changes or medication alone.
However, one important question remained unanswered for a long time. Researchers were not sure whether metabolic surgery could still protect the heart if diabetes did not fully go away or if it came back later. This is important because people with diabetes have a much higher risk of heart disease, which is one of the leading causes of death worldwide.
A recent study has now provided a clear answer. The findings show that metabolic surgery can still offer strong heart benefits, even if diabetes is not completely cured.
The study results were presented in 2023 at the annual meeting of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. Researchers found that people with diabetes who had metabolic surgery were healthier overall, lived longer, and had fewer serious heart problems compared to those who did not have the surgery.
One of the most important findings was the reduction in major heart events. People who had the surgery had a much lower risk of dying from heart attacks and strokes. The risk of death from a heart attack was reduced by more than 27 percent, and the risk of dying from a stroke was lowered by nearly the same amount.
Even when people did experience these serious health problems, those who had surgery were more likely to survive. This shows that the surgery provides protection beyond just improving blood sugar levels.
Dr. Jonathan Jenkins, one of the researchers, explained that better control of blood sugar plays a key role in protecting the heart. When blood sugar levels are more stable, the damage to blood vessels and organs is reduced. This helps lower the risk of heart disease over time.
The study was large and included data from 2016 to 2019. Researchers compared two groups of people with diabetes. One group included more than 70,000 people who had metabolic surgery, while the other group included over 340,000 people who did not have the surgery.
The researchers carefully matched the two groups based on factors like age, gender, race, and how severe their diabetes was. This helped ensure that the results were fair and that the differences seen were mainly due to the surgery itself.
The benefits of metabolic surgery were not limited to heart health. People who had the surgery spent less time in the hospital and had lower medical costs. On average, they saved between $1,000 and $4,000.
They were also less likely to need major procedures such as heart bypass surgery or limb amputations. These are serious complications that can occur in people with advanced diabetes. Even when surgery was needed, patients who had metabolic surgery tended to recover better.
Experts say these findings are very important because heart disease is one of the biggest risks for people with diabetes. Dr. Teresa LaMasters, President of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, said the study shows that the surgery can still provide major health benefits even if diabetes does not fully disappear.
Despite these advantages, only a small number of eligible patients choose to have metabolic surgery each year. In the United States, only about 1 percent of people who could benefit from the surgery actually undergo it.
Obesity remains a major health issue, with more than 42 percent of adults considered obese. This condition increases the risk of diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and other serious illnesses. For many people, losing weight through diet and exercise alone can be very difficult.
Metabolic surgery offers another option. It not only helps people lose weight but also changes how the body processes food and controls blood sugar. This can lead to long-term improvements in health and a lower risk of life-threatening conditions.
In simple terms, this research shows that metabolic surgery is not just about weight loss. It can also protect the heart and improve survival, even if diabetes is not completely cured.
As more people learn about these benefits, metabolic surgery may become a more common and important treatment for people with diabetes and obesity. It offers hope for a longer, healthier life and better overall well-being.
If you care about diabetes, please read studies about bananas and diabetes, and honey could help control blood sugar.
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