Managing your weight as a diabetic can be one of the most challenging aspects of dealing with your disease. Both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes can have weight gain as a side effect, which can then exacerbate other problems associated with your diabetes.

However, more people are turning to gastric bypass surgery to improve their symptoms of diabetes or to eliminate Type 2 diabetes altogether.

Uncontrolled diabetes

Individuals with uncontrolled diabetes may find that dieting, medication, and exercise are ineffective for losing weight or otherwise being able to manage their diabetes. As your weight gets out of control, so do your risks for complications of diabetes.

In a study comparing gastric bypass and gastric sleeve surgery, researchers found that people with type 2 diabetes were much more likely to experience healthier outcomes if they received gastric bypass surgery. After five years, many of those patients didn’t rely on medication or insulin to manage their diabetes.

The surgery can also help mitigate some of the other complications that result from obesity and diabetes, including circulation problems, cardiovascular issues, dangerous blood glucose levels, and more.

The surgery can also effect how your body digests, in addition to increasing the hormones that allow your pancreas to produce insulin more effectively.

Surgery complications

Of course, gastric bypass surgery isn’t an option for everyone. Only people who are unable to manage their weight and their diabetes should consider gastric bypass as an option to improve their overall health and quality of life. As always, discussing your medical options with your doctor is the best way to make sure you are taking care of your body and your diabetes in the most effective and efficient ways possible.

For most diabetics, gastric bypass surgery isn’t necessary. For people with type 2 diabetes, managing your symptoms can be as simple as monitoring your blood glucose levels regularly, and practicing healthy eating and regular exercise as part of your daily routine.