About This Procedure

Coping with life’s everyday challenges can be very difficult if you are overweight. Those difficulties are further compounded if you also have type 2 diabetes. As someone who is diabetic, you know how the disease can threaten your circulation and mobility.

At the Westchester office of the New York Bariatric Group, we are frequently asked if weight loss surgery could be a viable solution in managing diabetes. We are glad to report that in most cases, the answer is yes.

Diabetes is closely linked to obesity and is known to be a contributing factor in causing the disease. It is also evident that losing excess weight can prevent its onslaught, stop its progress or even make its effects disappear altogether. Reports have shown that over 75% of obese people with type 2 diabetes who have had bariatric surgery saw it improve to the point where they no longer relied on medications like insulin.

Each of the procedures offered by the New York Bariatric Group can be effective in controlling your diabetes. All of them are performed laparoscopically and each has its own advantages and disadvantages. With the help of your doctor, you will be able to determine the most appropriate option for your particular case during your consultations.

FAQs

New York Bariatric Group

Types of Diabetes Surgery

Adjustable Gastric Band Surgery

An adjustable, hollow silicone band is placed around the upper portion of the stomach creating a small pouch. The band is connected to a small port placed below the skin on the abdominal wall. The smaller pouch restricts the amount of food that the patient can eat. When it reaches its capacity, it triggers a signal to the brain indicating that it is full so that the patient no longer feels hungry. During future visits, your doctor can easily adjust the band to best meet your needs by adding or removing fluid through the port.

Gastric Bypass Surgery

The top of the stomach is divided to form a small pouch and is connected to the small intestine lower down along the digestive tract. As is the case with the gastric band, the small pouch limits the volume of food that can be eaten. The added benefit, however, is that by bypassing a large portion of the stomach and some of the small intestine, your body’s ability to absorb calories will be diminished.

Sleeve Gastrectomy Surgery

The stomach is surgically reduced in size by 75%, converting it to a narrow tube shape. The smaller stomach size limits how much you will be able eat.  There are fewer associated risks involved with the sleeve gastrectomy than with gastric bypass surgery because the connection between the stomach and the rest of the digestive system is not altered.

How Does it Work?

Losing a significant amount of your excess weight will help to control your blood glucose levels. Bariatric surgery also diverts food away from the hormones found in the small intestine that regulate blood sugar.

What are the Risks?

There are risks and possible side effects associated with each of the bariatric surgeries. Your surgeon can review them with you during your consultations.  It’s important to consider the long-term effects of living with type 2 diabetes when you think about the risks of surgery.

Some of the possible risks and side effects of bariatric surgery include deep-vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolus, respiratory ailments, infection and bleeding. The most serious of these could necessitate additional surgery or extended hospital stays.

Is There a Follow-Up Plan?

We take great pride at the Westchester office of New York Bariatric Group in offering long-term, one-on-one care for all our patients. We hope you will come to see us as your partners in managing both your diabetes and your overall health for the rest of your life.

Following your procedure, you will be provided a comprehensive plan that will help you on your way to better health.

At first, your diet will consist solely of liquids or soft, pureed foods. After about 5 weeks, you will be able to reintroduce small amounts of solid foods.  Your portion sizes will need to be much smaller for the rest of your days, since you will become full much faster.  You will also need to be very meticulous in your food choices to ensure you are getting the best possible nutritional value from them.

You will be asked to return for regular follow-up visits with your doctor. These are critical for monitoring your progress, adjusting your diabetes medications as necessary and providing you with nutritional and lifestyles advice that will help ensure your success. It is very important that you make it a point to not miss your follow-up appointments.

To get more information about how bariatric surgery could be a viable tool in managing your diabetes, contact the Westchester office of New York Bariatric Group today.

Free Information Seminar

Additional Information: This is a free information seminar for patients that are interested in Gastric Band, Bypass, Sleeve Gastrectomy and Gastric Balloon.

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