Comments on: The Bypass Effect On Diabetes, Cancer

Surgery Can Send Diabetes Into Remission, And May Reduce Risk Of Certain Cancers

[kuveikisj]

The information regarding bypass surgery, curing diabetes 2 was wonderful. However, I have more questions regarding this surgery. My beautiful daughter, aged 37, has Crohns disease. She was diagnosed at 14 years old and her treatment was poor to say the least until she went to Jackson Memorial. She had 3 more bouts and has been symthom free. Ann was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at 19. During her pregency 5 years ago, the doctor put a pump in to regulate her insulin. She suffers constantly with migrane headaches. This poor girl is always being told to watch what she eats, is milk intolerant, and her life has been very hard. Would this type of surgery take away her diabetes and allow her to lose at least 40 pounds -- even though she has Crohns? any information you can give would be so appreciated.

[dlpoor]

To all who see weight loss surgery as the easy way out more than likely you have never been at the point to where most of us have. I spent thousands of dolors and 10+ years on nutritionist, diets, trainers and the like but having been put on a Beta blocker blood pressure med I was unable to lose the weight I needed.

I had GBS in March 2001 and within 2 months I was off blood pressure meds and finally losing weight. In 13 months I went from 350 to a low of 172. I am now at around 180-188 and this fluctuates according to my training. Oh yeah I am now an endurance cyclist and log 7000 miles plus a year and in 2006 completed 4 200 mile one day rides. I have accomplished this even though I was told by all in the bariatric surgical community that it was not possible. Has it been easy? No we face the same chaalenges everyone else does but with greater risks than the general public. And at no point would I ever call GBS the easy way out but I would also never trade where I am now to where I was in 2001.

My only wish is that more positive stories of those of us years out from surgery would be told so the stupid stereo types of us would be put to rest. If you would like to read my story it is in the Library section at the Living After Weight Loss surgery website run by Kaye Bailey. If you need support come and see us.

[jstanothrgrl]

Interesting benefits to consider-- but in reality, out of the 5 people I know who have had this surgery, 3 have regained as much (if not more) of their original weight. One regained all of the weight but avoided any new illnesses except for distasteful digestive effects -- uncontrollable flatulence, and horrible bowel movements predictably an hour after every meal...everyone conveniently goes out for a walk if she has to go to the bathroom when she''s over visiting because the odor is literally sickening every time. One lost her career because is admitted to the hospital 3-4 times a month, every month for illnesses triggered by this surgery, her marriage is on shaky ground because she doesn''t know how to deal with the emotional trauma AND she regained all the weight she lost. One has an internal bleed near the surgical site that keeps her in continuous anemia and should have it surgically repaired, but insurance and physicians can''t agree on the insurance issues so she has been on heavy doses of iron therapy for years to counteract it--she too has regained all the weight, because she still doesn''t have effective ways to cope with the emotional trauma that led to her obesity in the first place. So before taking this drastic step, it''s probably better to look at the root cause of the obesity (it''s different for everyone) and make sure this will really cure your problem, or if it will just give you a whole new set of problems to deal with on top of the old ones.

[mstycola]

Gastro Bypass is the GREATEST, I had it and no more diabetes. Take that.....diabetes medications.
I use to read Self Diabetes Management and there was never any mention of a cure just managing it. Managing it stinks.

[barbyjo-2009]

Try your local Vocational Rehabilitation office. I don''t know the policies of each State, but here in Florida with certain criteria, Vocational Rehab will cover some or all of the costs. Remember there is eligibility criteria that must be met.

[runningralph]

I hope all Americans can lose weight and get into some semblance of physical fitness. Toughen up. Be ready to strike, not to be struck. About 70% of the population is overweight while large percentages in other countries are undernourished. Large people consume more of all resources, not just food and medical resources.

[seerainbow]

TO: diabetes researcher.
Dear Snick77,
I am writing in hope that my experience will excite you to consider new and further research. As a desperate diabetic, I had gastric bypass surgery several years ago and lost 84 pounds. The day after surgery I stopped needing insulin shots twice a day, totally ninety units. Unfortunately, a replacement doctor (my bypass dr. had moved away)suggested a dilation of my esophogus and stomach opening be done after surgery. I stopped losing weight and my diabetes came back with a vengence. I still eat small amounts and make careful choices, but it doesn''t. Prior to surgery, my highest glycohemoglobin level was 8.7 and now 4 yrs after the dilation my level is 12.4. I am now on Byetta and metformin twice a day.I know how to control diabetes and I feel these changes are directly related to my dilation. I have tried non-invasive surgery to stitch the opening 3 times...not yet perfected.It is clear there is a connection to the surgery and the reversal of diabetes...well beyond food intake and weight loss. The bypass change of the new "hook-up" creates a positive effect for diabetics. Please look further into this! If I can get insurance approval(also unsucessful to date), I am desperate to fix this problem with re-do bypass surgery. I know the risks, but I think my fast-track diabetes will definitely kill me, as well as destroying my quality of life.
I would love to talk with you. We need to have more information FAST.

[excoachken]

I think I will "bypass" this story, until more scientific evidence is accumulated. It seems to be another "shortcut" for Americans who are always looking for the "easy way" out of a problem that needs more "heavy lifting" than just a surgeon grabbing a scalpul.

[gpistola]

For diabetics there is a surgery-free procedure for patients who do not have a weight problem. A liner (tube 12" long) is inserted into the duodenum which allows all food to pass through & enter the small intestine. The liner can also be inserted via buttonhole surgery if the patient prefers. Results with the liner have been equal to the gastric bypass in curing diabetes. The only reported side effect is a few days of nausea for some patients.
It would be nice if CBS reported the full story. The thought of having a gastric bypass for diabetics without a weight problem will probably prevent many from being cured.

[juwboy]

Does anyone have a biochemical/physiological explanation for this diabetes cure?

[joehollander]

For those whom insurance doesn''t cover the procedure, you can go to Brazil/Chile to have it done. Check out International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity (IFSO) at www.IFSO.com.

You can cross referrence the names with those who work with NIH. If the National Institute of Health accepts them, they must be good.

Bariatric surgery started in the US in 40s & 50s. It went to Latin America as a treatment for obesity. They noticed its effect on diabetes and High blood pressure. Because Insulin had to be imported from the US, and its expensive, they developed the procedure as a treatment for diabetes.

Take a look at www.clinicaltrials.gov. You can contact the doctors who are doing the research with NIH. For example look up, "Dr. Cohen Chile".

[ranger1948]

charlene2444
Go on line and look up gastric bypass surgery. It will give yoiu several options, some are in Mexico right across the borger from San Diego. They re very good surgeons and charge much less than stateside for the same procedures. At least worth checking into.

[joehollander]

I had my surgery on March 14,2008(5 weeks ago). With Diabetes, the heavier that you have been for the last 5 years, the less controllable the diabetes is.

At 5'' 7" & 225lbs, my diabetes was out of control. In 15 months it hit high blood pressure, and three months later, I started leaking protein from my kidneys (nephropathy), and by the following September, I had had a silent heart attack.

This Surgery saved my life. I was off all my medications before I left the hospital, and within three weeks, the diabetes was gone completely. The elimination of diabetes, and high blood pressure saved my kidneys.

I learned about the procedure through the internet. Don''t let the presentation the surgeons make you attend, scare you. They are required to tell you that stuff because of insurance requirements. Every surgery has some risk.

Expect resistance from your primary care physician. I interviewed four doctors, before finding one that was willing to sign the medical release. Doctors are the greediest SOBs on the planet, who play with your life for the sake of their wallet.

They claim not to know about the procedure; though, it was approved in 1991. The doctors hate the internet; because they like to milk you of every penny. The love of money is the root of all evil.

I went back to see my old PCP. He cursed at me, for freeing myself of him. Take a look at www.asbs.org & www.obesityhelp.com

Joe Hollander

[radgalut]

I had RNY gastric bypass on September 12, 2007. My BMI was about 52, and I had high blood pressure for the last 15 years. Within a week of my surgery I was off of my high blood pressure medication. I am amazed at how my health has changed. I have lost over 100lbs and now have a BMI below 40 but I still have a ways to go.

While I know I will have to always watch what I eat and exercise, I know that I can be healthier and maintain my weight loss.

Thank you for helping people to see the incredible health changes that can occur as a result of weight loss surgery.

Amy

[sherim2]

Posted by rsauerheber at 12:26 AM : Apr 21, 2008

please contact me
[e-mail]

[charlene2444]

Maybe the reason why so many dont have the surgery is the cost. I am a hard working single mom with brittle diabetes which has never been controlled and high blood pressure but my insurance doesnt cover the surgery I so desperately need. If you know a guardian angel please let me know. I would be happy to brag about the results!

[mappam9]

I was 385 lbs. I am now 195 lbs. this is in 2 years. This is not an easy way. You do not eat the same way. You do get hungry, but not like "normal" people get hungry. I have to stay on a schedule. We do gain weight. I went through 24 weeks of classes. 18 weeks were for the physical aspects, 6 weeks were for the mental change in us. The mental part has been the hardest for me. Everyone deals with this differently. Anyone that is overweight by 100lbs or under would never understand what we have been through. This surgery has given me back my life. I would do it again with out a second thought. Thank you to all the Doctors, Nurses and Assistants that are there for us. Pamela

[snick77]

I agree with the previous poster who indicated that it would have been nice to have had longer-term post-ops. The people they interviewed were still in the honeymoon period, not living in maintenance and trying to live a normal life.

As far as how the surgery works, not one word was said about malabsorption or dumping syndrome. It''s not just about eating less - people should know that! The woman who talked about simply not having room for a slice of cheesecake? Honey, that''s NOT why you don''t eat cheesecake!!!!

Finally, I was extremely disappointed in the surgeon who discussed the suicide aspect. We lose our coping mechanism when we can''t eat. A patient with clinical depression will not make it through a pre-op program that has any merit. If he spent any time talking with his longer-term patients, I guarantee they would tell him how hard it is to actually deal with our problems rather than eating them away. Not to mention some of the side effects that affect your life post-op - side effects that will never go away.

Overall though, I am glad they are calling attention to this. Maybe it will be of help to those suffering from Type II diabetes in the future.

RNY - 6/2005. Lost 160 pounds.

[rsauerheber]

I''m a diabetes researcher of 30 years. It isn''t %u2018mysterious%u2019 that diabetic hyperglycemia disappears after bypass surgery. Obesity doesn''t actually cause type II diabetes. The hyperglycemia merely correlates with obesity; both are caused by the same thing, long term overeating. Obesity occurs first when fat cells are saturated. Continuing consumption then leads to high blood glucose, unable to be stored. There''s no underlying true disease. We published this in ''88 in Current Therapeutics vol 44, but many doctors still use oral diabetic drugs, thinking the condition''s a ''defect''. Oral drugs induce additional insulin release artificially and cause weight gain because insulin%u2019s main function is food storage. The answer''s to stop the cause: without need to lose any weight, one merely cuts back on calories and the hyperglycemia disappears in all type II cases, as surgery would also cause.
The ''defect'' idea came from obese mice, whose fat cells have slightly different insulin response than lean. It''s merely due to cell size. Type II is quite curable without drugs [or surgery] being required. I sympathize with the difficulty of isocaloric eating, but constantly denounce diabetic drugs. They must be stopped under a physician''s care so that a calorie reduction plan can be made. The drugs are glucose lowering agents, so meals cannot be skipped while they''re in use.

[dig4827171]

I am a 4 year old by-passer, 150 lbs gone and still not at the normal or so called normal weight yet but still reducing at a very slow rate.
I was not told about all of the bad side effects like life time of uncontrollable gas, post surgery herina, this is not a herna caused from being obese this one is caused by the surgery itself, nerve damage, not being able to change insurence companys for at least 5yrs after surgery and your insurence company can and will raise your rates and your must pay because no one else will insure you until you have passed the five year mark. There are more.
Even with that said I tried every diet, excerise plan, weight loss program I could afford and could not keep the weight off. The surgery is a tool that is working for me and at my age its was the best and last option for me to take. I do it again.