Diabetes, which develops when pancreas organ in the body does not produce enough insulin hormone, lasts a lifetime, unless not any intervention is made. Whether a person has diabetes is diagnosed by the average 3-month blood glucose measurement. Diabetes is seen in two different forms as Type 1 and Type 2. While no insulin production is present in Type 2 diabetes, in Type 2 diabetes insulin is produced, but cannot be used due to resistance factors. Insulin injection is essential in the treatment of Type 1 diabetes. This is different in Type 2 diabetes. The treatment of Type 2 diabetes is possible with metabolic surgery in eligible patients.

Unlike the surgical methods used in obesity surgery, metabolic surgery procedures are not mechanic restriction operations, but are rather hormonal regulation operations. Although these operations are often confused with sleeve gastrectomy, duodenal and gastric bypass operations, they are not the same. Patients who will undergo these operations are decided according to the pre-control and examination by the surgeon. Absorption problems begin during the surgery in patients undergoing gastric bypass and duodenal switch. Therefore, patients undergoing these operations face the risk of taking vitamin supplements for a lifetime after surgery. Patients who undergo metabolic surgery should attend their follow up controls every 3 months after the operation.

Diet, exercise and medical therapy cannot exactly prevent fluctuations and elevations in blood sugar levels. On the other hand, success rate of surgery in the treatment of Type 2 diabetes is 92%. In addition, operation not only improves blood sugar, but also prevents damage to organs. As one of the consequences of insulin resistance, metabolic surgery significantly reduces the risk of developing heart attack.

In metabolic surgery, insulin produced by the patient’s own body is used. The actual problem of patients with Type 2 diabetes is the lack of regulation for using insulin. In other words, there are resistant factors against insulin produced by the patient’s own body. Metabolic surgery allows patients to use their own insulin, by switching some parts of the small bowel. The results of medical treatment in Type 2 diabetes are not very pleasant. This is the basis of the emergence of metabolic surgery treatment. Physicians have reported approximately 15% treatment success with classical methods such as diet, exercise, lifestyle changes, and medical therapy. This rate is 90% to 95% with metabolic surgery.

The extent to which a patient with Type 2 diabetes benefits from metabolic surgery depends on his/her insulin reserves and activity. High insulin reserves and activity ensure higher treatment success. Some complications may occur with this surgery just like any other operation. The risk of developing leakage, bleeding, intestinal knot and embolism is about 1.5%. These risks vary depending on surgical method, diabetes, and presence of excessive weight. After surgery, patients should be hospitalized for 4-5 days.