A new study shows the long-term effectiveness of gastric bypass in treating type 2 diabetes and obesity.

Diabetes in remission for 15 years, weight loss maintained for 20 years in large study
In a large study, diabetes was in remission for 15 years, and weight loss was maintained for 20 years.
Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, a type of weight-loss surgery, kept type 2 diabetes in remission for up to 15 years and most of the weight off for up to 20 years in one of the largest long-term studies of patients undergoing the procedure. The study* was presented today at the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) 2024 Annual Scientific Meeting.

Researchers from Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, PA, analyzed diabetes remission rates and weight-loss outcomes of 2,045 patients who had a gastric bypass at their centre between 2001 and 2008 and followed them for up to 20 years. Before surgery, patients, on average, were 46 years old with a body mass index (BMI) of 47.9.

Of the 677 patients with pre-operative diabetes, remission rates were 54% at the three-year mark but dropped to 38% after 15 years. Only about 10% of patients with insulin-dependent diabetes had remission in the same timeframe, and the rate of persistent diabetes was higher in patients who had insulin-treated diabetes before surgery. 
After 18 months, peak weight loss of 31.8% was achieved, stabilizing at 23% after 10 years and up to the 20-year mark. The overall 15-year mortality rate was 13.3%, which was 37.4% among patients with diabetes and older than 60. No deaths were related to the surgical procedure itself.
“With the availability of medical and endoscopic therapies, the demonstration of the long-term effectiveness of gastric bypass that exceeds that of these alternatives is critical to providing the right intervention for the right patient at the right time,” said study author Anthony T. Petrick, MD, FACS, Director, Division of Bariatric and Foregut Surgery, Geisinger Health System.
The ASMBS reports that nearly 280,000 metabolic and bariatric procedures were performed in 2022, representing only about 1% of those who meet eligibility requirements based on BMI.
“The study is an important contribution to the current understanding of long-term outcomes of gastric bypass because of the extremely high follow-up rates,” said Marina Kurian, MD, ASMBS President, who was not involved in the study.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), obesity affects 42.4% of Americans. Studies show the disease can weaken or impair the body’s immune system and cause chronic inflammation, and increase the risk of many other diseases and conditions including cardiovascular disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers. 
About Weight-Loss Surgery

Tips on Recovering From Weight Loss Surgery

Weight loss surgery

Weight loss surgery

There are so many different things that a person will have to battle in their life to stay successful. Among the most common battles that a person will fight in their life is with their weight. Finding the right way to lose weight and keep it off can be a lot easier said than done. For some people, the best option for losing weight is by having a weight loss surgery, like gastric sleeve. Once the surgery is done, it will be time for the patient to focus on their recover. There are a number of things that a person will have to do when trying to recover from this type of procedure and here are some of them.

Getting Active By Walking

One of the first things that a person will need to do when trying to recover from this type of surgery is walking. By taking the time to get up and get out of the home, a person will be able to feel much better. Sitting around will usually just cause more pain and may even lead to having a bout with depression. Staying active during this time is the best way to ensure that the right results are achieved.

Following the Diet Set By the Doctor

Another very important thing that you need to do when trying to make a full recovery is to follow the diet set by the doctor. By following this diet to the letter, a person will be able to feel better and heal faster. Neglecting to follow this diet will usually result in a person not feeling great and not getting the proper nutrients needed to heal. Taking the time to do this will be more than worth it in the end.

Getting the Right Level of Support

When trying to have a good recovery from a weight loss surgery, a person will have to get the right level of support around them. By going to support groups, a person will be able to get the answers and guidance needed to get through this experience with ease. Most of the support groups will have a variety of members who have been through this same type of experience and can give the right advice. Getting this type of advice will be invaluable during the recovery process.

Finding the right surgeon, like Dr Michel Gagner.com, will allow a person to get the results that they need from this process. Researching each of the surgeons in an area will make it much easier to get the right results.