If you’re living with type 2 diabetes, you may wonder if there’s a way to stop the disease in its tracks—or even reverse it. Millions of people struggle with managing diabetes despite making changes to their diet, exercise routine, and medication. What you might not know is that bariatric surgery is a tool not just for losing weight, but also for putting type 2 diabetes into remission.
At NJ Advanced Surgical Solutions, we have seen firsthand how bariatric surgery can transform the lives of patients with type 2 diabetes. In this article, we explain how bariatric surgery works to control blood sugar and what the latest research reveals.
How weight affects type 2 diabetes
Type 2 diabetes develops when your body becomes resistant to insulin, the hormone responsible for regulating blood sugar. Carrying excess weight, especially around the abdomen, increases inflammation and makes it harder for your cells to respond to insulin. Over time, this can cause blood sugar levels to stay high, damaging organs and increasing your risk for complications like heart disease, kidney failure, and vision loss.
Because weight and diabetes are so closely linked, losing even a moderate amount of weight can dramatically improve blood sugar control. However, when traditional methods like diet and exercise aren’t enough, bariatric surgery may offer a more effective solution.
How bariatric surgery helps control blood sugar
Bariatric surgery helps treat type 2 diabetes through two major mechanisms:
- Significant weight loss: Bariatric procedures, such as gastric bypass and gastric sleeve, reduce the size of your stomach, limiting the amount you can eat and decreasing calorie absorption. This leads to substantial weight loss, which in turn lowers insulin resistance.
- Changes to gut hormones: After surgery, your body undergoes hormonal shifts that improve blood sugar control. For example, levels of GLP-1—a hormone that stimulates insulin production—increase, while ghrelin, the hunger hormone, decreases. These changes encourage a healthier metabolism and better regulation of blood sugar.
Research shows that these effects often begin almost immediately after surgery, sometimes even before major weight loss has occurred. Many patients are able to reduce or eliminate their diabetes medications within weeks of surgery.
What the research says about diabetes remission
Numerous studies have confirmed that bariatric surgery is highly effective in helping patients with type 2 diabetes achieve remission. Remission is often defined as achieving normal blood sugar levels without the need for medication. According to the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS), about 78% of patients experience remission of their type 2 diabetes after surgery. These improvements can last for years, especially if patients maintain their weight loss and follow a healthy lifestyle.
In fact, some studies even suggest that bariatric surgery is more effective at managing type 2 diabetes than intensive medical therapy alone. Patients who undergo surgery not only see better blood sugar control, but also have a lower risk of diabetes-related complications.
Types of bariatric surgery that help with diabetes
Gastric bypass surgery
Gastric bypass surgery involves creating a small pouch at the top of the stomach and connecting it directly to the lower part of the small intestine. This means that food bypasses most of the stomach and part of the intestine, reducing both the amount you can eat and the calories your body absorbs. Gastric bypass also causes beneficial hormonal changes that rapidly improve insulin sensitivity and blood sugar control, often within days after surgery.
Gastric sleeve surgery
Gastric sleeve surgery, also known as sleeve gastrectomy, permanently removes about 75–80% of the stomach, leaving a narrow, sleeve-shaped pouch. This smaller stomach limits the amount of food you can comfortably eat at one time, supporting steady weight loss. The procedure also decreases production of ghrelin, the “hunger hormone,” helping patients experience reduced appetite. As weight drops and hormones stabilize, many patients see dramatic improvements in blood sugar levels, with some achieving remission of type 2 diabetes shortly after surgery.
Who qualifies for bariatric surgery?
Bariatric surgery isn’t right for everyone, but it can be life-changing for the right candidates. You may be a good candidate if:
- Your body mass index (BMI) is 35 or higher
- Your BMI is 30+, and your diabetes is difficult to control with medications and lifestyle changes
- You are committed to making long-term changes to your diet and lifestyle after surgery
At NJ Advanced Surgical Solutions, we conduct a thorough evaluation to ensure you are a strong candidate before recommending surgery.
Is bariatric surgery a cure for type 2 diabetes?
While bariatric surgery has the potential to put type 2 diabetes into remission, it is not considered a cure. Remission means that blood sugar levels return to normal, but there is always a possibility that diabetes could return, especially if significant weight is regained.
However, even when full remission isn’t achieved, most patients experience better blood sugar control, reduced medication needs, and a lower risk of serious complications. In some cases, patients achieve a complete resolution of their diabetes, particularly if their diagnosis was recent and they were not heavily dependent on insulin before surgery.
Take the next step with NJ Advanced Surgical Solutions
If you are living with type 2 diabetes and struggling to control your blood sugar, bariatric surgery may offer an opportunity for remission. At NJ Advanced Surgical Solutions, we are passionate about helping our patients take control of their diabetes and live fuller, healthier lives. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and explore your weight loss surgery options.