ON 60 minutes NOW 7:20 PST

**Jack** · 04-20-2008, 10:21 PM

gastric bypass

MollyMolly · 04-20-2008, 10:39 PM

Did they have anything new or interesting to say about it?

Long2BFree · 04-20-2008, 11:22 PM

It was a good story in the fact that it dramatically cures diabetes for people when they leave the hospital after having the surgery. Everything they said was positive in the fact that it cures several health problems.

One doctor felt it would be beneficial for people who weren't obese but have diabetes. It hasn't been approved for those people though.

**Jack** · 04-20-2008, 11:37 PM

While it really was a basic introductory 'this may be a GOOD thing' type of story, and involved the RnY variations rather than the Band, it was extraordinarily positive with a panel of WLS patients including a surgeon who himself 'has lost 120# in just 4 months'....

They did have a surgeon reporting on their discovery that diabetic patients (mice first, THEN people) who only had their duodenum cut from the lower stomach and then reattached, became NON DIABETIC!!!

This is a phenomenal discovery if proven to be true.

Also they mentioned ghrelin and eating disorders as related to Morbid obesity.

Try to catch reruns if possible and report on what your own impression was.

Liz1531 · 04-20-2008, 11:42 PM

I'm curious why there is so much attention on the gastric bypass and not the LAP-BAND^®. For me, the LAP-BAND^® seems like a much safer solution. I'm glad that it's helping people with diabetes though... bummer I missed the show.

babs0101 · 04-21-2008, 10:06 AM

I saw the show. It was good and very interesting to see what they were saying about by-pass. It is amazing the changes in health just by having it done. Being obese is so, so bad, and I love my band more and more each day!

Pix · 04-21-2008, 10:23 AM

While I do believe there is a link between diabetes going into remission with WLS I do not think WLS is a cure. My cousin had type two (that is the insulin dependent form?) dependent on her meds and insulin pump. She had RNY and while it was in remission for quite a few years, eventually it did come back. She is a success story, she has maintained and kept off her weight since a year from her surgery date. She is doing amazing with it too. But sadly after a few years her diabetes did come back.

I think we are still a long way off from a cure, but I do believe with all my heart that WLS (whether its RnY, Sleeve, LAP-BAND^®) will help overweight/obese diabetic patients control there diabetes and even put it in remission for years or even permanently. I think alot of these studies are only taking account for the overweight diabetics. One of my dear friends is so in shape and healthy it makes me want to wretch, but he is a diabetic. I am scared it is giving people false hope with this disease.

Ok, so I am not a big believer in modern medicine 'curing' things. Call me the lone cynic.

Cerrin · 04-21-2008, 12:05 PM

I thought it was very interesting. I think they did a good job of showing why bypass and bypassing the small intestines is what they are beliving is the "cure" for diabeties. Sad to day but now diabetic patients will try for bypass then the band.
And no studies are on long term basis yet. to see if they get diabeties again when they gain the weight back.

**Kat817** · 04-21-2008, 12:18 PM

My DH and I watched it, and he was freaking out that I knew what they were going to say about the Grehlin! He went to the seminar with me, and the surgeon giving the seminar is a HUGE believer in this surgery, as well as possibly banding----interupting the certain hormone/chemical combos being the cure for diabetes--so when he saw that last night, he was quite impressed! Going to mention it to his friend at work, he is both extremely overweight, and diabetic. He has been considering banding---Rick is going to suggest he visit with the surgeon and discuss what might be best for him. He is native American, and they have an extremely high incidence of diabetes.

Could you believe the change in the young guy--the one they showed with the kayaks----he lost like 200+ pounds in 7 months---and did not look like he had ever been overweight!!! I was amazed by his change! The Dr. had lost lots of weight, but looked like he had lost lots of weight--kinda like someone I know well---see her in the mirror everyday!!! LOL

I think weight loss has to help with most any health issue, but if that were the only issue, there would be no skinny diabetics, and there are. I have 2 nieces and a nephew who have type 1 Juvenile onset diabetes, they are all into their 30's now, and they work VERY hard controlling, and monitoring their own health----the all have children now, and now we watch them for any tell tale signs.

I enjoyed the segment!

Kat

kathystrick · 04-21-2008, 01:36 PM

I am just glad they portrayed WLS in such a positive and informative light! I have seen some pretty inaccurate and disturbing information floating around on other message boards lately. Hopefully some of those people watched and lerned a little something!

ugagirl · 04-21-2008, 06:30 PM

It warmed my heart! Even though LAP-BAND^® wasn't touched on I am so happy that WLS was presented in a positive light, while still being realistic about the overall results the majority see after surgery. It is amazing about the diabetes issue!

jena · 04-21-2008, 06:40 PM

Insulin dependent, especially someone with a pump, is most probably a Type 1 diabetic, or "childhood" diabetic. Type 1 is totally different than Type 2. In Type 1 the body stops making insulin. In Type 2 your body doesn't process insulin well so the pancreas pumps more and more insulin into your body.

Type 2 is sometimes called Insulin Resistance.

Surgery will help Type 2 only. The only "cure" for Type 1 is a pancreas and kidney (if needed) organ replacement.

My cousin is a Type 1 and he finally had kidney failure and eventually got a pancreas and kidney transplant and now he's no longer diabetic.

Jena

**Kat817** · 04-21-2008, 06:57 PM

I have a cousin who also just got a pancreas/kidney transplant after a lifetime of insulin, and the last 3 with dialysis. She got it last Fall---is doing great!!! Ate her first ever piece of regular pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving!!!

Then I met a woman in the hospital, he DH was having surgery the same time my Dad was. He was having his gall bladder removed, and they had been in a panic--thinking it was something to do with the pancreas/kidney transplant he had received over 25 years ago----he was a first in the hospital he had his done in!!!

What amazing things they have accomplished!

Kat

jena · 04-21-2008, 08:55 PM

It really is unbelievable what modern medicine can do! I remember reading in the paper about 20 years ago about a young woman who's friends were raising money so that she could get a kidney/pancreas transplant. Her insurance wouldn't cover it because it was experimental at the time.

Unfortunately she was not as lucky as our cousins. She did help blaze the way so that people now can have the surgery and be successful.