When talking about bariatric surgery, the first association is usually weight loss. But experts warn that the procedure goes far beyond the scale. In many cases, surgery also has a significant impact on metabolic diseases, especially type 2 diabetes, a condition that affects millions of Brazilians and is strongly related to being overweight.

Patients often report significant improvement in blood glucose, reduction of medications and, in some cases, remission of diabetes after surgery. However, doctors reinforce that bariatrics should not be seen as a “magic cure”, but as a therapeutic tool within a broad health plan.

Next, check out 7 facts that help you understand the effects of bariatric surgery beyond weight loss!

1. Bariatrics is not just for losing weight

Although the weight loss Although it is one of the main objectives, the procedure also promotes important hormonal and metabolic changes that help control diseases associated with obesity.

“Bariatric surgery does not just have an aesthetic or scale-related impact. It promotes important metabolic changes, especially in hormones linked to glycemic control, satiety and insulin sensitivity, and can greatly benefit patients with type 2 diabetes”, explains gastroenterologist Michel Fernandes.

2. Diabetes improves soon after surgery

In some cases, metabolic changes begin even before significant weight loss, showing that the benefits go beyond reducing body fat.

“There is early metabolic improvement in many patients. Some people reduce the need for medication or show a significant improvement in glycemic levels immediately after the procedure, because there are relevant hormonal changes in gastrointestinal functioning”, says the specialist.

3. Surgery can reduce medication use

With improved glycemic control, some patients are able to reduce doses or even suspend certain medications, always under strict control. medical monitoring.

“The adjustment of medications takes place on an individualized and monitored basis. Some patients are able to reduce insulin or oral antidiabetics, but this depends on the duration of the illness, pancreatic function and the metabolic response of each organism”, he explains.

Despite the benefits, surgical indication requires well-defined medical criteria and a complete assessment of the patient’s clinical status.

“Bariatric surgery is not recommended just because someone has diabetes or wants to lose weight. There is an assessment of body mass index, metabolic history, associated diseases, previous treatment attempts and general health conditions”, advises Michel Fernandes.

5. Surgery does not eliminate the need to change habits

One of the biggest confusions is to imagine that the procedure definitively solves metabolic problems without the need for adaptation of the lifestyle.

“Surgery is an extremely effective tool, but it does not replace adequate nutrition, physical activity, medical monitoring and behavioral changes. The long-term metabolic result depends on continuity of care”, says the doctor.

In some patients, prolonged diabetes can reduce the body’s ability to respond, especially when there is already significant pancreatic involvement.

“Patients with a more recent diagnosis of type 2 diabetes tend to have a greater chance of a favorable metabolic response, precisely because there is still better functional reserve of the pancreas”, explains the gastroenterologist.

7. The objective is to reduce risks and improve quality of life

In addition to blood glucose, surgery it can impact other important factors, such as hypertension, sleep apnea, high cholesterol and cardiovascular risk.

“When we talk about bariatrics, we talk about global improvement in metabolic health. The focus is not just losing weight, but reducing complications associated with obesity and increasing quality and life expectancy”, concludes Michel Fernandes.

By Sarah Carvalho