Bariatric Surgery Improves Blood Sugar Control in Obese Patients with Type 2 Diabetes
Bariatric surgery, specifically gastric bypass and gastric sleeve surgery, improves blood sugar in obese patients with Type 2 diabetes significantly more than medical nutrition therapy alone. These are the findings from the three year follow up by the researchers in the STAMPEDE clinical trial. In the study, 150 obese patients with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes were split into 3 groups: medical nutrition therapy, gastric sleeve, or gastric bypass. The goal researchers were trying to achieve was a glycated hemoglobin (or Hgba1c) of 6% or less, which indicates well controlled blood sugar levels.