Metabolic Surgery for Type 2 Diabetes with BMI <35 kg/m(2): An Endocrinologist’s Perspective

Is bariatric surgery as primary therapy for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with body mass index (BMI) <35 kg/m(2) justified? Open-label studies have shown that bariatric surgery causes remission of diabetes in some patients with BMI <35 kg/m(2). All such patients treated had substantial weight loss. Diabetes remission was less likely in patients with lower BMI than those with higher BMI, in patients with longer than shorter duration and in patients with lesser than greater insulin reserve. Relapse of diabetes increases with time after surgery and weight regain. Deficiencies of data are lack of randomized long-term studies comparing risk/benefit of bariatric surgery to contemporary intensive medical therapy. Current data do not justify bariatric surgery as primary therapy for T2DM with BMI <35 kg/m(2).