Diabetes Surgery
Diabetes surgery (Metabolic Surgery), popularly known as sugar surgery, is a method applied to control blood sugar in Type 2 diabetes patients and to stop the damage caused by the disease to the organs.
What is Diabetes Surgery?
Diabetes surgery is basically a set of operations that aim to change the hormonal structure of the digestive system. Unlike bariatric surgery, which aims only to lose weight, these surgeries are designed to increase the release of hormones that regulate blood sugar and break the body’s resistance to insulin. After surgery, patients usually realize that their sugar levels have returned to normal by the day they are discharged from the hospital and that they do not need to use medication.
Who is Suitable for Diabetes Surgery?
Not all diabetics are suitable candidates for this surgery. Certain criteria must be met for surgical intervention:
- Type 2 Diabetes Diagnosis: Surgery is only performed on patients with Type 2 diabetes.
- Insulin Reserve: The patient’s pancreas must still have active insulin-producing cells. Special blood tests measure this reserve.
- Uncontrolled Sugar: Patients whose three-month average sugar level cannot be maintained at target values despite medication and lifestyle changes.
- Body Mass Index (BMI): Usually patients with a BMI of 30 and above, but in some cases it can also be assessed in patients with a lower index in case of uncontrolled diabetes.
How does it work?
These surgeries activate gut hormones, allowing the body to use its available insulin more effectively. After surgery, the majority of patients completely stop using medication and insulin or minimize their doses.
Note: This method is not suitable for Type 1 diabetics; it is only for Type 2 diabetics whose body continues to produce insulin.
