National Diabetes Month: Is the Gastric Sleeve a Permanent Solution?

29.1 million Americans currently suffer from diabetes and 1.4 million new cases are diagnosed every year. To help combat these growing rates, November was dubbed National Diabetes Month in an attempt to raise awareness about this disease. We’re taking part by talking about type 2 diabetes, obesity, and a proven solution to both – the gastric sleeve!

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is one of the most common diseases in the United States and presents predominantly in one of two forms: type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes, misleadingly known as “juvenile diabetes,” is a condition wherein the body does not produce insulin. Although the majority of type 1 patients develop this condition as children, it can happen at any age.
Type 2 diabetes, on the other hand, is where the body develops insulin resistance – a state in which your body does not use insulin correctly. Your pancreas initially produces extra insulin to compensate, but it cannot sustain this behavior for long, ultimately impacting blood glucose levels.

Diabetes is one of the top 10 leading causes for death in the United States, causes eye, kidney, and nerve damage and doubles the risk of heart attack and stroke. That’s why raising awareness is so crucial!

Why is Type 2 Diabetes So Prevalent? Obesity.

Only 5% of all diabetes cases are type 1 with the majority of cases being type 2 diabetes. So, why is it so common? For many, it comes down to the prevalence of overweight and obesity.

Our bodies are naturally accustomed to ingesting small amounts of sugars, which was okay back when they were scarce. Today, however, sugars are everywhere and it’s easy for us to consume too many, raising our blood glucose levels to an unhealthy degree. Often, as our weight increases, so does our risk for developing type 2 diabetes – since obesity has become prevalent, so has this condition.

Studies have connected obesity to many comorbidities and weight-related conditions with type 2 diabetes being among the most common (along with hypertension and sleep apnea, among others).

Thankfully, weight-loss surgery doesn’t just help patients lose weight – it also helps alleviate and even resolve their type 2 diabetes.

The Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy – Proven to Resolve Diabetes

The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) has recognized weight-loss surgery as a recommended treatment for diabetes.

Studies shared by the ASMBS revealed the benefits that bariatric surgery can have on type 2 diabetes: nearly all diabetic patients who choose surgery see improvements to their health.

90% of diabetic patients see overall improvement with

High blood sugar
Required dosage of medication needed
Diabetic health problems

78% of patients see their diabetes resolve, their surgery having helped regulate blood sugar and eliminate any further need for medication. These patients tend to stay healthy for many years to come after their procedures!

Why is the gastric sleeve so effective for overcoming diabetes?

Since diabetes is so closely linked to obesity, it makes sense that bariatric surgery can help defeat this disease. The vertical sleeve gastrectomy helps patients lose 50 to 70% of their excess body weight while resetting their metabolisms, helping improve their bodies’ natural functions.

As they lose weight, their bodies do not need to compensate for high blood glucose levels by producing more insulin. Instead, they properly generate and employ the insulin they naturally need!

To learn more about the gastric sleeve as an option, come to the #1 safest practice, NYBG.

COME TO NYBG.

When it’s time to start a successful weight-loss journey, it’s time to call NYBG! We’re the best practice around and our numbers prove it:

12 skilled surgeons who are leaders in bariatrics
15,000 successful procedures performed with more every day
The #1 gastric balloon practice by volume – most balloons placed in the United States
24/7 access to online seminars
100s of videos for patients explaining procedures, answering common questions, and showcasing previous patients
Since 2000, we boast 18 years of success!

Our commitment to patient success and excellence has earned us accreditation from the Metabolic Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP). This prestigious achievement recognizes only the top bariatric practices. Stop waiting; start achieving better health today.

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I went in for surgery. An hour later, I came out a new man.

5.0

Everybody treated me like a king. The day of surgery, I was excited. The hospital couldn’t be any nicer. I went in for surgery. An hour later, I came out a new man. My recovery was awesome. I was out of bed that day. My wife and kids were my motivation on getting this surgery. They are my whole life. I’m happy I’m going to be around for them.

I hit my goal weight ... and I feel fabulous

5.0

I had the gastric bypass. I am Type 2 Diabetic and I wanted to gain control of my sugar. I hit my goal weight in about 5 and half months and I feel fabulous. The procedure has completely changed my life for the better because it has empowered me as a middle aged woman that I can really do everything and anything that I want to do. I don't put an age on anything. I don't say I'm too old for something.

I was tired of the way I looked. I was tired of the way I felt.

5.0

I knew if I didn't change something soon, I was going to be in a lot of trouble. The consultation process was a lot easier than I expected. I was met with open arms. I was treated like I was the only patient here. Not only did they answer all of my questions, they had questions for me to make sure I was the right candidate for the surgery. After surgery and that weight started dropping off, my life started changing for the better.

I feel like a completely different person.

5.0

I had the gastric sleeve procedure. The driving factor behind me getting this procedure was my health. I didn't feel good physically or mentally. I had joint pains, even standing was difficult sometimes. Emotionally, this surgery completely turned my life around. I have so much more confidence. So much more happiness. I feel like a completely different person. I feel stronger. I feel able to accomplish more.

It saved my life.

5.0

The driving factor behind me getting my procedure was that I couldn't get up off the floor with my granddaughter. That was my why. That was my big reason for having this surgery done. After surgery, it was a little bit of a struggle with what to eat. What you put in your mouth that you don't even think about. You don't think about what you're eating or how you're eating and portion size. It's what I do now every single day. The procedure has changed my life in so many ways. It saved my life.

I am totally comfortable in my own skin.

5.0

I think I always grew up identifying myself as less than other people because I was fat. I decided to tackle that and just live my life. I had a sleeve gastrectomy. It changed how I view myself. How I communicate with people. I'm able to be much more of myself and live the life I always thought I should have been living. I am totally comfortable in my own skin. You have the tools you need to succeed here.

I have a brand new life. I can do things I couldn't do before.

5.0

I had a vertical sleeve gastrectomy because I had just become diabetic, and I had hypertension for many years. I lost a total of 157 pounds in 11 months. I have a brand new life. I can do things I couldn't do before. Everyone at New York Bariatric Group has been wonderful. They are kind. They are understanding. They make you feel comfortable. They will guide you every step of the way on your journey so that you can be successful.