Dr. Christine Ren Fielding has been involved in research for most of her surgical career. She is excited to see the results of the final year of the influential weight loss surgery trial, referred to as STAMPEDE. This study showed that bariatric surgery benefits are substantial and lasting. The STAMPEDE trial was one of the first studies to suggest that patients who did not meet the traditional criteria for bariatric surgery might be candidates for treatment of type 2 diabetes, not just obesity.

According to Dr. Ren Fielding, some of the 5 year highlights include:

• Blood glucose control in mild and moderately obese patients with type 2 diabetes may persist for up to five years, with the advantage over diabetes medications-only approach widening over time.
• Over 88 percent of gastric bypass and gastric sleeve patients maintained healthy blood glucose levels without the use of insulin.
• 29 percent of gastric bypass patients and 23 percent of sleeve gastrectomy patients achieved and maintained normal blood glucose levels, compared to just 5 percent of those on medication alone.
• Weight loss was significantly greater with gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy than with medications and was the primary driver for glucose control.
• The effects of both surgical procedures to normalize glucose levels did however diminish overtime and some late complications were noted with surgery.

Dr. Ren Fielding says that studies such as these add to the growing evidence that surgery is the superior treatment for patients with both obesity and type 2 diabetes. We recognize what an important and life-changing step weight loss surgery is for our patients, and we are committed to providing the most effective surgical weight loss treatments available. Although weight loss surgery is not the right choice for every patient, it is important for someone with obesity – especially if they have related health conditions – to learn about all their treatment options.