People who are obese or severely overweight tend to have several diseases, including type 2 diabetes, and weight loss surgery can be a solution for both. Bariatric surgery is often an option for people with obesity who have tried before and failed to lose weight through various ways, including medication, diet, exercise, or lifestyle changes. Luckily, weight loss surgery has also shown to be effective for type 2 diabetes. Let us understand how –
Understanding Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is caused when high blood sugar levels are detected in our body, which is triggered by insulin resistance or insulin deficiency. Type 2 diabetes develops over time, and while most causes are lifestyle influences such as lack of physical activity, poor diet, and obesity, genetic predisposition may also be one of the causes. Advancing age is also one of the causes of insulin resistance.
There are many side effects of type 2 diabetes that are caused over time, including blurred vision, pain and numbness in the feet and hands, sores that do not heal, tiredness, heart disease, etc.
Type 2 diabetes is bad for our overall health, which is why we must take good care of our health. There are many medical evidences which prove that undergoing weight loss surgery has helped patients with their type 2 diabetes.
Bariatric Surgery and Type 2 Diabetes
Intestinal Glucose Absorption – Bariatric surgery alters the rate and pattern of glucose absorption in the intestine. By bypassing or reducing the size of the stomach and upper small intestine, surgical procedures limit the amount of glucose that enters the bloodstream after meals, which prevents postprandial hyperglycemia (high blood sugar levels after eating). This reduction in intestinal glucose absorption helps regulate blood sugar levels and minimizes the requirement of exogenous insulin.
Gut Hormone Regulation – Bariatric surgery changes the anatomy of the gastrointestinal tract, which changes the secretion of gut hormones that are involved in glucose metabolism. Procedures like gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy result in the rerouting of food through a smaller portion of the stomach and intestine, which enhances the discharge of incretin hormones such as GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide 1) and GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide). These hormones boost insulin secretion from the pancreas and suppress glucagon release, leading to improved blood sugar control.
Hormonal Changes—Certain types of bariatric surgery, such as gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy, alter the production of gut hormones involved in glucose regulation, such as GLP-1 and PYY. These hormonal changes improve insulin secretion and reduce appetite, which helps control blood sugar.
Insulin Sensitivity Improvement – Insulin sensitivity, or a cell’s ability to react to insulin and take up glucose from the bloodstream, is improved after weight loss surgery. This improvement is partly attributed to weight loss but is also influenced by changes in adipose tissue metabolism, adipokine secretion, and inflammatory processes. Enhanced insulin sensitivity allows cells to efficiently utilize glucose for energy, thereby reducing blood sugar levels.
Hepatic Glucose Production – Bariatric surgery reduces hepatic (liver) glucose production, which is a major contributor to elevated blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetics. Sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass decrease hepatic insulin resistance and gluconeogenesis (the production of glucose from non-carbohydrate sources), leading to lower fasting blood sugar levels and improved overall glycemic control.
Changes in Gut Microbiota – Bariatric surgery induces change in both the function and composition of the gut microbiota, the population of microbes that reside in the gastrointestinal system These changes affect various metabolic processes, including glucose metabolism and inflammation, which can influence insulin sensitivity and blood sugar control. Even though the exact mechanisms underlying the relationship between gut microbiota and diabetes remission after bariatric surgery are not fully understood, emerging research suggests that microbial dysbiosis may impact the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes and its resolution following surgery.
Benefits of Weight Loss Surgery
Improved Quality of Life – Successful treatment of type 2 diabetes through bariatric surgery can lead to improvements in overall health, well-being, and quality of life. Patients often experience increased energy levels, mobility, and self-confidence, as well as a reduced risk of diabetes-related complications.
Long-Term Benefits – Weight loss surgery provides long-term benefits for patients with type 2 diabetes. Many people experience sustained improvements in blood sugar control, weight loss, and overall health for years after the procedure.