A recently published study by Dr. Nicholas Stylopoulos, principal investigator at the Division of Endocrinology at Children's Hospital Boston and Boston Medical School stated, "the secret for the cure of diabetes after gastric bypass lies in the intestine." After gastric bypass the small intestine spontaneously begins to produce a molecule called GLUT-1, which helps the body use glucose. GLUT-1 is not normally found in the small intestine of adults, but normally found only in a fetus. It was thought the improved diabetes after surgery was due to weight loss, but research has shown gastric bypass surgery helps resolve type 2 diabetes before weight loss occurs.
That is exactly what happened with me during my 3 day stay post-op. My sugar levels improved and when I left the hospital I no longer had to take insulin. The weight loss has been an added benefit, but I still have to work hard to ensure I remain healthy. This decision is not something to take lightly and does impact not only yourself but also those around you. I am happy I made the choice to have the surgery and for those who think its an easy way out are so misinformed. Knowledge is the key to so many things and every person has a reason for the choices they make. I know I made the right decision for me and I have prolonged my life.
After seeing the great success I was having after surgery several months later my father had gastric bypass too. His diabetes, sleep apnea, acid reflux, and hypertension are all gone with the added benefit of weight loss.
Dr. Stylopoulos study can be found at the following link:
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