General Surgery is a surgical specialty that involves the diagnosis, treatment, and management of a wide range of conditions that affect the body’s organs and tissues. Some of the most common conditions that are treated by general surgeons include hernias, gallbladder disease, appendicitis, colorectal cancer, thyroid disorders, breast cancer, and gastrointestinal disorders. General surgery can also involve the removal of tumors, cysts, and other abnormal growths that may be present in various parts of the body.
Metabolic (Bariatric) Surgery and Diabetes Mellitus
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus is a complex metabolic disease characterized by insulin resistance and progressive pancreatic beta-cell deficiency, leading to hyperglycemia.
Obesity, a risk factor in Type 2 Diabetes, contributes to its development by inducing insulin resistance and inflammation, which in turn disrupts glucose regulation.
Untreated diabetes can lead to high blood glucose or sugar levels, which can adversely affect various organs and tissues, including the heart, kidneys, and eyes.
Diet and exercise remain the cornerstones of diabetes management. However, many patients fail to maintain a healthy weight, which in turn can lead to high blood sugar levels despite the use of oral medication and insulin injections. Many medical studies also show that metabolic surgery is a highly effective treatment for Type 2 Diabetes.
Metabolic surgery is recommended in the following cases:
- For patients with poorly controlled Diabetes
- For patients who are overweight or Obese
- For patients who do not want to take medication and prefer surgical intervention.
What’s more, Metabolic surgery can help prevent diabetes-related medical complications such as kidney failure, diabetic retinopathy, and cardiovascular disease. This type of surgery has also been shown to be effective in preventing the development of diabetes in obese patients who are at high risk of developing diabetes due to being overweight.
In addition to controlling diabetes and weight loss, metabolic surgery can help patients:
- Reduce the risk of cancer
- Increase life expectancy
Metabolic surgery is for patients with type 2 diabetes, whose obesity is often a major factor. However, obesity is an increasingly serious problem for those with type 1 diabetes as well: a recent study found that even among patients under the age of 18 about a third are overweight or obese.
The operation is performed under general anesthesia and takes about 2 hours. For the next few days, patients should adhere to a liquid diet, before switching to soft foods. Most patients spend 3 to 5 days in the hospital and return to a normal life after about 2 weeks.
If you are interested in Metabolic surgery, you should undergo a thorough check-up, and consult with your doctor on the most effective form of treatment for your specific case. To lead a healthier life which is vital you will also need to implement positive lifestyle changes.
General Surgery treatments can also include emergency surgical procedures for life-threatening conditions, such as severe trauma, bleeding, or infection. In these cases, the general surgeon will work quickly to diagnose the problem and stabilize the patient before proceeding with the necessary surgery.