This scholarly article was written by Dr. Farooq Ahmad, Head Researcher for California Medical Weight Management. To learn more, visit CMWM on the Web at http://www.calmwm.com.

It is imperative for diabetic individuals that their blood sugar levels remain under good control because uncontrolled diabetes can lead to even more serious conditions, so-called complications of diabetes, that may include coronary artery disease, kidney disease, and so on.

All concerned must have heard about Bariatric surgery. It is the collective name given to the surgical procedures carried out to achieve weight loss and are usually reserved for those severely obese individuals who have failed upon other methods of weight loss.

It should be now general knowledge that obesity strongly associated with type 2 diabetes. In patients harboring both the conditions simultaneously; the danger of dreadful outcome gets multiplied.

Bariatric surgery has recently started emerging as a potentially useful treatment for uncontrolled diabetes in severely obese individuals. Studies suggest that all different types of surgical weight loss surgeries, namely Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, gastric banding, and biliopancreatic diversion go a long way in achieving desired blood sugar levels as well as prevent serious complications of uncontrolled diabetes.

Results of a 3 years long study at Cleveland Clinic to evaluate the long term benefits of bariatric surgery were recently evaluated. In a study entitled as 'Surgical Treatment and Medications Potentially Eradicate Diabetes Efficiently' (STAMPEDE) , a total of 150 patients were randomized into three groups: intensive medical therapy only, intensive medical therapy plus Roux-en-Y gastric bypass or intensive medical therapy plus sleeve gastrectomy. The primary end point was achieving a level of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) less than 6 %.

After three years the percentage of patients in three different groups who succeeded in achieving the end point of HbA1c 6% was as follows:

• Intensive medical therapy alone group: 5 % of patients
• Intensive medical therapy plus gastric bypass group: 37.5 %
• Intensive medical therapy plus sleeve gastrectomy group: 24 %

Additionally:

• The surgical group also showed great improvement in metabolic syndrome components including BMI, waist circumference, triglycerides and HDL levels compared to those receiving medical therapy alone.
• Patients in two surgical groups also had significant reduction in the use of antihypertensive and lipid-lowering medicines
• 5 to 10% of these patients were using insulin compared to 55% of those in the medical therapy group

SOURCE INFORMATION:
From the Bariatric and Metabolic Institute (P.R.S., S.A.B., A.A.), Lerner Research Institute (J.P.K.), Heart and Vascular Institute (K.W., C.E.P., E.S.H.K., S.E.N.), Urological and Kidney Institute (S.D.N.), and Endocrinology Institute (S.R.K.), Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland; and Brigham and Women's Hospital Heart and Vascular Center and Harvard Medical School — both in Boston (D.L.B.).

The New York Times reports this month that four companies were charged with "deceptively marketing weight loss products." Sensa Products, L’Occitane, HCG Diet Direct and LeanSpa were ordered by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission to pay $34 million in refunds to customers. The charges are part of a larger crackdown on companies that "peddle fad weight loss products."

As part of the initiative, the FTC issued a "Gut Check" guidance update for media to recognize false weight loss claims. The update is intended to assist media outlets in screening out bogus ads. These false product claims include:

1. causes weight loss of two pounds or more a week for a month or more without diet or exercise;
2. causes substantial weight loss no matter what or how much the consumer eats;
3. causes permanent weight loss even after the consumer stops using the product;
4. blocks the absorption of fat or calories to enable consumers to lose substantial weight;
5. safely enables consumers to lose more than three pounds a week for more than four weeks;
6. causes substantial weight loss for all users; and
7. causes substantial weight loss by wearing a product on the body or rubbing it into the skin.

False advertising and bogus claims are wrong for any product. But for weight loss products they are especially bad, because they prey upon dieters' often desperate need to lose weight and regain health. False claims discourage dieters, and reflect badly on real, honest diet programs that provide help to people in need.

California Medical Weight Management's physician-supervised weight loss program does not rely on false claims. Our Testimonials page is full of real success stories from actual CalMWM patients, not paid actors. Our before-and-after photos, on our website and Instagram, include only unretouched photos of our actual patients. The results our patients achieve are real.

Weight loss is not easy, but with help, determination and willpower you can do it! CalMWM's medical weight loss program is not a fad, but a personalized, doctor-supervised program that will help you lose weight, and learn how to make good choices in your diet. Our long-term support ensures you will keep the weight off.

So don't be discouraged by false weight loss claims. Contact your nearest CalMWM clinic for a free consultation to learn more.