Rewarding Remissions of Type 2 diabetes with Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy

Let me first define what “Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy” is all about. Sleeve gastrectomy or otherwise known as gastric sleeve, is a weight-loss medical surgical procedure. This medical procedure belongs to the various types of bariatric surgery. This medical procedure basically involves reducing the normal size of the stomach to 15 % by surgically removing a big portion (including the portion which involves the hormones that generally stimulates hunger or known as “Ghrelin”) which follows the usual major curve. The edges that are still open are then joined together with sutures, surgical staples or sometimes both. This is done for the stomach to be shaped like a banana, a tube or a sleeve. This medical procedure is permanent; meaning the size of the stomach is lasting too. Most of the patients are able to anticipate loosing thirty to fifty percent of their excess body weight in a period of six to twelve months after the surgery.

Vertical sleeve gastrectomy is one of the latest procedures that are commonly suggested by doctors to obese patients who need it. This medical procedure is a lot simpler and less complicated than gastric bypass. This medical procedure also doesn’t involve re-routing of the intestines which gives lesser risks for anemia, intestinal obstruction, protein deficiency, osteoporosis and vitamin deficiency. In this medical procedure, the stomach is also known to function normally, coercing the patient to consume smaller amounts of food because of its current size. There is also no reported sign of dumping syndrome because the pylorus is well preserved. This type of medical procedure also decreases the risk of getting ulcers.

Let us now put our attention to type 2 diabetes mellitus involving the procedure. Type 2 diabetes mellitus is now statistically increasing in population with the current rise of obesity. The most effective treatment to both devastating conditions is metabolic surgery. After undergoing the said surgery successfully, type 2 diabetes is believed to have been cured together with the constant struggle of the patient with his/her lifestyle change. The patient should religiously follow the health teachings and medical prescriptions given by the doctor. Going back to the bad old habits after a few months of feeling better and keeping off the weight doesn’t mean that the excess weight will not come back. Exercise is also a good combination with the healthy diet that is prescribed. Follow-up check ups are also crucial for the doctor to monitor the progress that you are making and for you to get updated health teachings and better modifications in your diet and exercise routines.

Studies also show that there are surprising improvements of resistance to insulin, of about forty four percent in a period of seven days after undergoing the surgery. There are also possible changes in insulin production which suggests that there may also be different mechanisms involved, that doesn’t involve weight loss and gives further grounds for remission after the surgery.

The boundless improvement in glycemic control and the idea of remission of type 2 diabetes after the surgery has been constituted, but the precise reason for this remains unclear. This is good news however you may put it. What’s important is you have found the solution to both type 2 diabetes as well as obesity. It’s like hitting two birds with one stone, or so they say… More or less some of the points to consider with the remission of type 2 diabetes and vertical sleeve gastrectomy involve the ability and expertise of the surgeon as well as the cultural preferences of the patient himself/herself.