Gastric Band Surgery Beneficial For Overweight People with Diabetes

20 Feb 2017 --- A long-term study has found that gastric band surgery can offer significant benefits to moderately overweight people with type 2 diabetes. The research from by Monash University is the first of it’s kind, as previous studies have focused on obese people.

The five-year study by Monash's Centre for Obesity Research and Education (CORE), found that gastric or Lap-band surgery improved the patients' chances of diabetes remission, reduced the need for diabetes medication and dramatically enhanced their quality of life.

The study, led by clinician researcher Dr John Wentworth and weight loss surgeon Professor Paul O'Brien, compared 45 participants.

22 were randomized to receive gastric banding combined with medical care, and 23 received medical care alone.

Both groups received help with lifestyle factors such as exercise and healthy eating.

The study found an average weight loss of 12.2 per cent of body weight in the gastric band group compared with 1.8 per cent in the medical care-only group. Almost a quarter of the gastric band group showed diabetes remission at five years, compared to nine per cent of the medical care-only group.

“We had people who were feeling better, moving better and who were happier because of the surgery,” Dr Wentworth said.

“Their diabetes was better controlled and they needed fewer diabetic medications to control their blood sugar levels,” he said.

Dr Wentworth said the study provided “reasonably strong evidence” that gastric banding, as a safe and effective weight loss operation, was an acceptable alternative for people who wanted it.

“It's an important point because Lap banding is criticized by some people saying it is far too drastic to be used as a diabetes treatment and that it doesn't work in the longer term,” he said.

“I think it's a matter of just looking at the best ways of managing diabetes and preventing diabetes complications.”

“We're interested in making life easier for these people and reducing the risk of the main complications, mainly heart attack, kidney failure, blindness and amputation.”

“Although we'd be delighted if people could lose over 10 per cent of their weight through lifestyle modification, the reality is that the vast majority of people can't manage that.”