Weight loss surgery showing promising results for type 2 diabetes

by Emma O’Connor, Griffith University

Changes to body weight and body mass index following bariatric surgery. (A) Body weight and (B) BMI were measured prior to bariatric surgery and at 1-, 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-ups and (C) the patient distribution across obesity classes was tracked throughout this period. Similarly, (D) the weight loss of patients who underwent different surgical procedures was tracked. N = 130; 89 patients had RYGB, while 41 underwent sleeve gastrectomy. *** p < 0.001. Credit: PLOS ONE (2023). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0279923

Bariatric surgery is proving to be an effective treatment for people suffering from type 2 diabetes and morbid obesity, with results showing nearly 50% of patients were able to discontinue all diabetes-related treatment.

New research, published in PLOS ONE monitored 212 patients throughout Queensland who had wither gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy surgery as part of the Queensland Health Bariatric Surgery Initiative.

Director of Griffith University’s Menzies Health Institute Queensland Professor Paul Scuffham said the patients were monitored for a period of 12 months after their surgery and looked at a range of factors including clinical and patient-reported outcomes.

“We found that 12 months after having surgery, their body weight decreased by 24% and their blood glucose levels improved by 24%,” Professor Scuffham said.

“The surgery had other beneficial effects on comorbidities related to obesity which saw 37% of patients with high blood pressure prior to the operation no longer has this condition 12 months post-op.

“We also saw 62% of those with impaired kidney function pre-surgery had normal kidney function after surgery.”

The overall satisfaction with the treatment remained above 97.5% throughout their recovery period.

Professor Scuffham said the study confirmed previous work demonstrating the efficacy of publicly funded bariatric surgery when it comes to treating obesity, type 2 diabetes and related comorbidities.

“It shows the surgery has improved the quality of life for our patients and also their eating behaviors, and despite the short follow-up period, the results bode well for future weight maintenance for those with type 2 diabetes and morbid obesity,” he said.

The study, “Health Outcomes of patients with type 2 diabetes following bariatric surgery: Results from a publicly funded initiative,” is published in PLOS ONE.