Long-term influence of diabetes surgery

Following on from diabetes news earlier this week, further studies have confirmed that bariatric surgery and gastric banding can be effective ways to treat diabetes for the long-term.
A research team at the New York University School of Medicine studies just under 100 morbidly obese patients. The study group had an average BMI of 46, and each underwent some form of temporary stomach reduction.
According to the study, five years following the surgery 40 per cent of patients had seen their diabetes go into remission . Furthermore, an extra 43 per cent said that their diabetes had improved.
Dr. Christine Re, one of the researchers, reportedly commented: “Our study contributes to mounting evidence that demonstrates gastric banding can have a sustained and meaningful effect on diabetes and morbid obesity and that the two diseases are interrelated. We didn’t find a substantial difference in remission outcomes for patients who suffered with diabetes for more than six years compared to those who had the disease for a shorter period of time.”