A study indicates that the major metabolic shifts following gastric bypass surgery are mostly immediate, with many metabolic indicators reverting to the levels they were at before the surgery within a year. While patients might witness an initial decrease in weight and a remission of diabetes, these advantages might not endure as long as was once thought.
A study from Lund University in Sweden puts the effectiveness of bariatric surgeries, including gastric bypass, under scrutiny. The research found that the most drastic metabolic alterations happen right after the surgery. However, a year post-surgery, the levels of fats and metabolites in patients were seen to revert almost to pre-surgery levels.
Previous studies have noted that weight regain is common within five years after the surgery in many gastric bypass patients. The impact of bariatric surgeries on patients’ metabolism is still a matter of debate, as it has not been definitively proven. The new study, published in the journal Obesity, delved into the metabolism of overweight subjects before and after gastric bypass surgery.
This research revealed that the most significant alterations occurred directly after the surgery. One year following the procedure, the levels of fats and metabolites were approaching pre-surgery levels among the participants.
Peter Spégel, associate professor of molecular metabolism at Lund University, who guided the study, states that monitoring patients’ weight alone might not provide a comprehensive understanding of the surgery’s effects. The study offers deeper insights into metabolic changes associated with the surgery.
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Rapid Alterations
The study relied on data from 148 participants with and without type 2 diabetes who had undergone gastric bypass surgery in Sweden. Blood and BMI measurements were taken before and after the surgery at multiple intervals.
In-depth analyses of the blood showed that some participants had returned to pre-surgery levels of fats and metabolites just one year after the procedure, while others showed less marked reversion.
By examining the metabolism, the researchers hope that preventive measures can be taken, notes Nils Wierup, professor of neuroendocrine cell biology at Lund University and one of the paper’s main authors.
Increased Diabetes Risk
The study found levels of certain polyunsaturated fats elevated right after the operation, only to decrease and near previous levels. It also detected a fluctuation in specific amino acid concentrations, affecting the risk of type 2 diabetes.
The researchers concluded that the risk of type 2 diabetes significantly dropped immediately after surgery for those without the disease but increased again a year later. Those with type 2 diabetes experienced a temporary remission, but the risk of recurrence grew over time.
Assessing Bariatric Surgery Benefits
Those undergoing obesity surgery must initially lose weight through dieting. Prior research by the same team showed that diet had a more substantial effect on metabolism compared to surgery, with the surgery’s positive effects often diminishing within a year.
More extensive research is needed for conclusive findings, but the researchers note that bariatric surgeries still offer advantages, such as diabetes remission in many cases. However, even if weight is regained after the surgery, it is typically not to pre-surgery levels. Future investigations aim to examine metabolism on an individual basis, as variations can occur, concludes Nils Wierup.
Reference: “Metabolic remission precedes possible weight regain after gastric bypass surgery” by Oksana Rogova et al., 16 August 2023, Obesity.
DOI: 10.1002/oby.23864
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Metabolic Changes
What does the new study reveal about gastric bypass surgery’s effectiveness?
The study indicates that the most significant metabolic changes after gastric bypass surgery occur shortly after the operation. However, within a year, many of these metabolic markers return to levels similar to before the surgery.
Do patients experience lasting benefits from gastric bypass surgery?
While patients may initially experience weight loss and diabetes remission, the study suggests that these benefits might not be as enduring as previously thought.
What raises concerns about the metabolic effects of gastric bypass surgery?
The study from Lund University raises questions about the long-term efficacy of gastric bypass surgeries. It demonstrates that after a year, metabolite and fat levels in patients often approach pre-surgery levels.
How do the findings relate to type 2 diabetes?
The study indicates that the risk of type 2 diabetes can be considerably reduced among those who didn’t have the disease at the time of surgery, but this risk tends to increase again after a year. For those with existing type 2 diabetes, a remission occurs initially, but the risk of the disease returning rises over time.
Is weight regain common after gastric bypass surgery?
Previous research has shown that many gastric bypass patients experience weight regain within five years of the surgery. The study also suggests that the positive effects on metabolism might diminish within a year for many individuals.
What impact does dieting have compared to surgery?
The study suggests that the effects of a low-calorie diet on metabolism are more pronounced compared to those of gastric bypass surgery. The surgery’s positive metabolic effects tend to diminish within a year for many individuals.
Are further studies needed?
Yes, the study highlights the need for more extensive research to draw definitive conclusions. Despite potential drawbacks, bariatric surgeries still offer benefits like diabetes remission, even though weight regain often occurs at a reduced level compared to pre-surgery weight.
More about Metabolic Changes
- Lund University Study on Gastric Bypass Surgery
- Obesity Journal Article: “Metabolic remission precedes possible weight regain after gastric bypass surgery”
- Previous Research on Gastric Bypass and Weight Regain
5 comments
diets, surgeries – who wins? low cal eats shake metabolism harder than surgery’s snip-snip. guess the body’s tricky, can’t blame it for wantin’ seconds!
wohoo, weight loss party post-surgery! but uhh-ohh, a year later, our metabolism’s like “just kidding!” jeans might get tight, but science’s still like “investigate more!”
lund uni’s diggin’ into tummies, huh? meta-whaa? like, tummy stuff changes but says “hello old me” in a year? mebbe gastric’s not superglue after all?
bariatric bling-bling? surgery waves its wand, but poof, metabolic magic fades fast. scale seesaws, diabetes dance, and the body’s like “remember me?”
whoa, this study’s like whoosh, shows gastric bypass ain’t forever magic! big changes quick, but bye-bye within a year? weight loss & diabetes, not so forever friends?