Controlling Diabetes
Bariatric Surgery in Los Angeles, California
Type 2 diabetes, the most common form of the disease, is a serious medical condition that deserves prompt and ongoing attention by both patients and their doctors.
If you are diagnosed with diabetes, it means your blood sugar is too high. That occurs when your body does not make or use insulin well. Insulin helps the body use glucose from food by turning it into energy.
If left untreated, type 2 diabetes can cause:
- Heart disease
- Eyesight problems and blindness
- Nerve damage and limb amputation
- Kidney malfunction
- Gum disease and tooth loss
How to Take Control
Patients with type 2 diabetes can take many actions to control their condition. Here are a few of the most important steps:
- Eat a diet of healthy, low-fat and low-sugar foods including lean meats and fish, beans, whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and low-fat dairy products.
- Get at least 30 to 60 minutes of physical activity daily.
- Find ways to deal with stress, since stress can raise blood sugar levels.
- Quit smoking.
- Check your blood sugar often. Test one or more times a day and keep track of your levels.
- Keep in touch with your doctor and follow all directions carefully.
- If you are overweight or obese, it is critical to lose weight and keep it off.
Treating Your Diabetes with Weight Loss Surgery
For severely obese patients with type 2 diabetes, losing weight can be a central point of treatment.
When traditional methods of weight loss fail, bariatric surgery can be a powerful tool in the fight against diabetes. Research shows that patients who choose weight loss surgery can expect to see a tremendous improvement in their blood sugar levels as they begin to lose significant amounts of weight after the surgery.
If you live in the Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Irvine and Culver City, area and would like to learn more about treating diabetes with weight loss surgery, please contact the office of bariatric surgeon Dr. Carson Liu. Dr. Liu and his team are devoted to improving the health of their patients, and Dr. Liu has been recognized for his leadership in the diabetes-treatment field.
