For many diabetics, the outlook towards surgery is intimidating. At the same time, diabetes surgery could be a viable option for those                                                      with conditions that can’t be treated with medication.

For many diabetics, the outlook towards surgery is intimidating. At the same time, diabetes surgery could be a viable option for those with conditions that can’t be treated with medication. We’ll also discuss type 1 and type 2 diabetes surgeries as well as new advances in the field that could help increase life expectancy for diabetics.

Introduction to Diabetes and Surgery

When it comes to diabetes and surgery, there are a few things you need to know. First and foremost, if you have diabetes, know that you’re not alone—surgery for diabetes is more common than you may think. In fact, each year in the United States, around 200,000 people with diabetes have surgery. And while that number may seem high, keep in mind that there are more than 30 million people in the United States who have diabetes.

Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, let’s talk about what kinds of surgery are available for people with diabetes. The most common type of surgery is called bariatric surgery, which is performed on the stomach and intestines. Bariatric surgery helps people with diabetes lose weight by making changes to their digestive system. For example, bariatric surgery can help people with diabetes absorb fewer calories from food or feel fuller sooner so they eat less. There are several different types of bariatric surgery, but the most common are gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy.

Another type of surgery for people with diabetes is pancreatectomy, which is the removal of all or part of the pancreas. The pancreas is an organ located behind the stomach that produces insulin, a hormone that helps control blood sugar levels. Pancreatectomy may be an option for people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes who also have another condition called pancreatitis, which is an inflammation of the pancreas.

Finally, there’s a type of surgery called islet cell transplantation that is sometimes used to help people with type 1 diabetes. Islet cells are located in the pancreas and help produce insulin. During this procedure, a patient’s own islet cells are removed from their pancreas and transplanted into their liver. The new islet cells then start producing insulin, helping to control blood sugar levels.

While these surgeries may sound scary, know that most of them involve minimal risk and can be very beneficial for people with diabetes. So if you have diabetes and think that surgery might be an option for you, talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits so you can make an informed decision about what’s best for you.

Types of Diabetes Surgery for Type 1 Diabetes

There are two types of diabetes surgery for type 1 diabetes: pancreatic islet cell transplantation and whole pancreas transplantation.

Pancreatic islet cell transplantation, also called islet cell autotransplantation, involves taking healthy islet cells from the pancreas of a donor and transplanted them into the pancreas of the person with type 1 diabetes. The goal of this surgery is to restore the body’s ability to produce insulin.

Whole pancreas transplantation involves transplanting the entire pancreas from a donor into a person with type 1 diabetes. This surgery is usually done in people who also have kidney failure because they are at risk for developing serious complications from their diabetes, such as blindness or nerve damage.

Types of Diabetes Surgery for Type 2 Diabetes

There are four main types of diabetes surgery:

1. Gastric bypass surgery: This is the most common type of diabetes surgery. It involves making a small incision in the stomach and attaching a new, smaller stomach pouch to the intestines. This reduces the amount of food you can eat and also decreases the absorption of calories and nutrients.

2. Sleeve gastrectomy: This type of surgery removes part of the stomach so that it is only about the size of a banana. This limits the amount of food you can eat and also decreases nutrient absorption.

3. Biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch (BPD/DS): This type of surgery is less common than gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy. It involves removing part of the stomach, as well as the gallbladder and bile ducts. The remaining stomach is then connected to the lower part of the small intestine (the jejunum). Food bypasses most of the small intestine, which means you absorb fewer calories and nutrients.

4. Intestinal transposition: This is a new type of diabetes surgery that is still being studied. It involves rerouting a section of the small intestine so that it goes around, instead of through, the stomach. This allows food to bypass part of the small intestine, which may help improve blood sugar control in people with type 2 diabetes who are unable to control their blood sugar with lifestyle changes or medication .

Pros of Each Type of Diabetes Surgery

There are three major types of diabetes surgery, each with its own pros and cons: gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, and duodenal switch.

Gastric bypass is the most common type of diabetes surgery. It involve creating a small stomach pouch to bypass the rest of the stomach and part of the small intestine. This reduces the amount of food you can eat and also decreases the absorption of calories and nutrients.

Pros:
-Gastric bypass surgery is effective at inducing weight loss and improving glycemic control in people with obesity and type 2 diabetes.
-The surgery is reversible if necessary.
-It has a relatively low risk of complications.

Sleeve gastrectomy is another type of diabetes surgery. It involves removal of part of the stomach to create a smaller stomach pouch. This leads to smaller meals, less hunger, and fewer calories absorbed.
Pros: -Sleeve gastrectomy is effective at inducing weight loss and improving gly cemic control in people with obesity and type 2 diabetes.
-It does not require a reversal as it involves only removal of part of the stomach.
-It has fewer complications than gastric bypass surgery and a shorter hospital stay.

Duodenal switch is an intense type of diabetes surgery that involves removing part of the small intestine as well as part of the stomach. This leads to smaller meals but more nutrient absorption than in gastric bypass surgery.
Pros: -Duodenal switch surgery is effective at inducing weight loss and improving glycemic control in people with obesity and type 2 diabetes.
-It has fewer complications than gastric bypass and shorter recovery time overall.
-It can help individuals improve their absorption of important nutrients like calcium, magnesium, iron, fat-soluble vitamins, and proteins while reducing absorption of fatty acids.

 Losing just 5-10% of your body weight can significantly improve insulin resistance and blood sugar levels.

-Exercise: Exercise is another great way to improve insulin sensitivity and lower blood sugar levels. Just 30 minutes of moderate exercise per day can make a big difference.
-Medication: If lifestyle changes alone aren’t enough to control blood sugar levels, medication may be necessary. There are a variety of diabetes drugs available that can help keep diabetes under control.
-Insulin therapy: Insulin therapy is often necessary for people with type 1 diabetes or those with severe type 2 diabetes that isn’t well controlled with other treatments. Insulin can be taken in a variety of ways, including injections, pumps, and inhaled forms.

What to Consider When Thinking About Going Under the Knife

There are a few things to consider before making the decision to undergo diabetes surgery. The first is the type of surgery being considered. There are two main types of diabetes surgery – bariatric and islet cell transplantation. Bariatric surgery is more common and involves reducing the size of the stomach or bypassing a portion of the intestine to help with weight loss. Islet cell transplantation is a newer type of surgery that helps to transplant insulin-producing cells into the body.

The second thing to consider is the risks involved with each type of surgery. Both types of surgery come with risks, such as infection, blood clots, and bleeding. However, islet cell transplantation also has the risk of rejection, where the body rejects the transplanted cells.

The third thing to think about is what your goals are for surgery. Are you looking to lose weight? Improve your blood sugar control? Or are you hoping to go off insulin altogether? Weight loss and better blood sugar control are more likely with bariatric surgery, while going off insulin may be possible with islet cell transplantation.

No matter what you decide, it’s important to talk to your doctor about all your options and make sure you understand the potential risks and benefits of each type of diabetes surgery.

Diabetes is a serious condition that requires great care and attention. Fortunately, there are several types of diabetes surgery available for those who want to be proactive about their health and take control back from the disease. It’s important to discuss all options with your doctor and understand what each procedure entails before reaching a decision. With these types of diabetes surgeries, you can experience improved quality of life if done correctly in addition to other lifestyle changes such as dietary choices and physical activity