Weight loss and changes in use of antidiabetic medication in obese type 2 diabetics after laparoscopic gastric banding

Abstract Background Interest in bariatric surgery is growing as an effective method for long-term metabolic control in morbidly obese patients with type 2 diabetes. We analyzed the weight loss and changes in use of diabetic medication in obese patients with type 2 diabetes treated with laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB). Methods From 1993 to 2005, 1791 morbid obese patients underwent LAGB at our institution. Of the 1791 patients, 394 (22%) had type 2 diabetes mellitus at baseline. Of the 394 patients with diabetes, 52 were receiving diabetic medication. The median follow-up period for the drug-treated diabetic patients was 3 years (range .25–9). Results The drug-treated diabetic patients were older (age 47.6 ± 7.5 versus 37.5 ± 10.7 years, P 2 , P 0.001), and were more frequently affected by co-morbidities than the nondiabetic patients at surgery. The percentage of excess weight loss 1 year after surgery was less (32.4% ± 14.1% versus 41.1% ± 19.9%, P Conclusion The amount of weight loss after LAGB was less in drug-treated diabetic patients than in nondiabetic patients. However, LAGB was associated with a sustained reduction in the use of diabetic medication.