I've read articles in the past that explained why they believe a gastric bypass "cures" diabetes. I don't have the article, but I think they said that the procedure bypasses part of the intestine and in this part of the intestine is where the resistance to insulin is created. I can't remember if there was some chemical or hormone that was released in this part of the intestine that inhibited insulin usage, but whatever it was, it stopped your body from resisting insulin and by bypassing this part of the intestine, your body returned to working normally again. It only took a few days after the surgery for this to happen. From what I read and saw on the video, patients stayed diabetes free. The video said that they have tracked patients for 12 years so far, and all are still diabetes free. Sounds like a cure to me. It also has about an 80-85% success rate.
The thing is, they will only do this surgery on very obese people. It's illegal to do it on anyone who's not very obese.(why should it be illegal? The government meddling again where they shouldn't be.)
Since most insurance companies don't want to pay for this surgery, it wouldn't be an option for me. I guess the insurance companies would rather pay the $12,000 a year for the insulin, the $6000 a year for the Byetta, the $2,000 a year for the Hyzaar, and the $1,000 a year for the test strips. That's $21,000 a year for my medical needs. In 10 years that's $210,000 as opposed to $25,000 for one procedure. You can tell these insurance companies have some real geniuses working there.
Also, at my age (55), it wouldn't be a good idea. I doubt that I'll be around much longer anyway, so why go through an operation. I'm better off staying with the status quo.
