The studies are really amazing. They show us that even before there is very much weight loss, many patients with diabetes who have had bariatric surgery see a tremendous improvement in their diabetes and hypertension, sometimes before they even leave the hospital.
We think this has to do with all kinds of hormones and signaling agents that are in the intestine and in the stomach. There is a lot of research going on and weight loss definitely improves a person’s diabetes and hypertension problems, but the surgery itself is doing something fundamental to the metabolic activity in our bodies. Surgery can produce a dramatic improvement.