Bariatric surgery debated as ‘standard treatment’ for diabetes

Photo: World Obesity Federation

Recommendations for bariatric treatment to be considered as a standard treatment for Type 2 diabetes has attracted debate in New Zealand.

Associate Professor Jeremy Krebs, a member of the Healthier Lives Science Leadership Team and immediate past president of the New Zealand Society for the Study of Diabetes, has outlined concerns in an interview on Radio New Zealand. He explains it is not as simple as a matter of resourcing but a much more complex picture of the right treatment for the right patient.

Bariatric surgery is not the right treatment for everybody according to Associate Professor Krebs who argues that nutrition and dietary interventions, and medications need greater emphasis. It is important to target bariatric surgery to those most likely to benefit.

Listen to the Radio New Zealand interview broadcast on 25 May 2016:

Gastric surgery recommended as direct treatment for diabetes (3:51 duration) Radio New Zealand website