Gastric bypass surgery recommended to treat diabetes

CLEVELAND - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention predicts that by 2050 one third of all Americans will have Type 2 diabetes. 

Doctors point to expanding waist lines as the reason for a rise in the disease.

"With an obesity epidemic, we have a diabetic epedemic," said Dr. Karen Cooper, with the Cleveland Clinic.

But now, the International Diabetes Federation said gastric bypass surgery should be considered as a treatment for diabetes.

Dr. Phil Shauer with the Cleveland Clinic was instrumental in helping form this new recommendation. Shauer said gastric bypass surgery may actually reverse Type 2 Diabetes almost instantly before patients lose an ounce of weight. 

"Some patients come off of it within hours if not days after surgeries," Shauer said, speaking of when patients will come off insulin.

Gastric bypass surgery works by reducing the size of the stomach and shortens the intestine so fewer calories are absorbed.  

But not everyone sees this as this magic bullet for diabetics. Tammy Randall is with the Diabetes Association of Greater Cleveland. She said, for some patients who are out of options, this is a good idea. But for others who have not exhausted their treatment options, this is probably not.

Gastric bypass surgery is covered by some insurance companies, but not all. The average price is between $20,000 and $25,000.