Research

Mixed

Bariatric surgery (Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, vertical sleeve gastrectomy, biliopancreatic diversion) induces sustained weight loss and high remission rates for type 2 diabetes compared to non-surgical management.

For adults with severe obesity (BMI ≥35-40) who have not succeeded with lifestyle changes, bariatric surgery is the most effective intervention for sustained weight loss and type 2 diabetes remission. It involves surgical alteration of the stomach and/or intestines. Lifelong daily nutritional supplementation and regular medical monitoring are required to prevent deficiencies.

GoodSupportsHIGH confidence
These procedures resulted in greater short term (1-2 years) weight loss (mean difference −26 kg; 95% confidence interval −31 to −21; P<0.001) and greater remission of type 2 diabetes (complete case analysis relative risk of remission: 22.1, 3.2 to 154.3; P=0.002; conservative analysis: 5.3, 1.8 to 15.8; P=0.003) compared with various non-surgical treatments.
David Arterburn et al. · BMJ · 2014

Why this rating

Supported by multiple RCTs, meta-analyses, and large prospective observational studies (SOS, Utah).

Source

Bariatric surgery for obesity and metabolic conditions in adults

David Arterburn et al. · BMJ · 2014

DOI 10.1136/bmj.g3961

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DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10

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