Recently we reported that gastric surgery may be a preferred option in treating type 2 diabetes, and that it is indeed superior to diet and exercise in a surprising conclusion that was published in the journal JAMA Surgery. But just why is this the case? And does that mean people with type 2 diabetes should immediately rush out and get surgery?

In the past, doctors have recommended weight loss surgery if an individual has a body mass index of 40 or more, and generally suggested lifestyle changes if the BMI is relatively low, in the 30 to 39 range. But this new study suggests that perhaps most of the 9 percent of the U.S. population that has diabetes should look into surgery as a more practical option.

Gastric bypass surgery refers to a procedure when the stomach is basically divided into two parts: a small upper pouch and a larger remnant pouch. Then, the small intestine is basically rearranging to connect the two.

There are multiple ways to approach gastric bypass procedures due to there being several ways to reconnect the intestine.

The goal is to basically reduce the functional volume of the stomach, thereby causing the person to not crave as much food and not be able to handle as much food anyway. As a result, there is an altered physiological and physical response to food.

This procedure is typically intended to treat morbid obesity, which is when the BMI is above 40. This is common in cases of type 2 diabetes.

And the study found that it is actually much more effective to alter one’s body than it is to alter one’s lifestyle, as those who underwent the surgery experienced a 30-40 percent success rate in keeping the weight off, versus none for those who attempted lifestyle changes alone.

That’s not to say one shouldn’t improve their diet and exercise habits: that would be essential no matter what one’s physical condition is. But when it comes to actually keeping the weight off, scientists believe that gastric bypass surgery has come a long enough way and has proven its effectiveness.