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SearchBariatric surgery now considered a prominent treatment option for Type 2 diabetes
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Bariatric surgery has been known to enhance weight loss for people struggling with obesity and now the American Diabetes Association (ADA) is including bariatric surgery as a recommended treatment option for people who suffer from Type 2 diabetes.
Philip Schauer, M.D., of Cleveland Clinic said these new guidelines are important because they give doctors another tool when treating those with Type 2 diabetes who are not responding well to traditional medical therapy.
“Type two diabetes is rampant in this country, it is a major killer,” said Dr. Schauer. “It’s the seventh biggest killer in our country; it is the major cause of blindness, of kidney failure and amputations in our country and despite the fact there has been better drug treatment, still many patients are not in good control.”
Dr. Schauer said the goal with these new guidelines is to be able to put more people in control of their diabetes and more people into remission.
Previously, people struggling with Type 2 diabetes were typically put on diet and exercise plans, and sometimes medication, to help lower their blood sugar levels. While bariatric surgery was an option, it was often considered to be a specialized service.
The new recommendations take into consideration data collected worldwide from more than 11 clinical trials conducted over the past 10 years.
Among them was a trial conducted by Cleveland Clinic, which showed that those with Type 2 diabetes who had bariatric surgery were better able to meet their target blood sugar level goals than those who received traditional medical therapy.
With these new guidelines, bariatric surgery is recommended as a treatment option for more people than ever before.
“Even patients with fairly mild obesity, with a BMI as low as 30, they may be eligible for surgery based on relatively new evidence that suggests that these operations are fairly effective and safe,” said Dr. Schauer.
Dr. Schauer said that bariatric surgery is not only effective, but also very safe, as advances in surgical techniques have made it a low risk procedure.
Cleveland Clinic is a nonprofit multispecialty academic medical center that integrates clinical and hospital care with research and education. Located in Cleveland, Ohio, it was founded in 1921 by four renowned physicians with a vision of providing outstanding patient care based upon the principles of cooperation, compassion and innovation. Cleveland Clinic has pioneered many medical breakthroughs, including coronary artery bypass surgery and the first face transplant in the United States. Cleveland Clinic is consistently recognized in the U.S. and throughout the world for its expertise and care. Among Cleveland Clinic’s 82,600 employees worldwide are more than 5,786 salaried physicians and researchers, and 20,700 registered nurses and advanced practice providers, representing 140 medical specialties and subspecialties. Cleveland Clinic is a 6,728-bed health system that includes a 173-acre main campus near downtown Cleveland, 23 hospitals, 280 outpatient facilities, including locations in northeast Ohio; Florida; Las Vegas, Nevada; Toronto, Canada; Abu Dhabi, UAE; and London, England. In 2024, there were 15.7 million outpatient encounters, 333,000 hospital admissions and observations, and 320,000 surgeries and procedures throughout Cleveland Clinic’s health system. Patients came for treatment from every state and 112 countries. Visit us at clevelandclinic.org. Follow us at x.com/CleClinicNews. News and resources are available at newsroom.clevelandclinic.org.
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