Metabolic Surgery

What is Metabolic Surgery?

Metabolic surgery consists of gastrointestinal procedures—primarily sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass—that not only facilitate significant weight loss but also dramatically improve metabolic health. These surgeries are highly effective in managing Type 2 Diabetes, particularly in patients with obesity (Rubino et al., 2016). Notably, metabolic benefits often begin before substantial weight loss occurs, suggesting that hormonal and metabolic changes play a crucial role in enhancing blood sugar regulation (Cummings & Cohen, 2016).


Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have demonstrated that metabolic surgery is more effective than standard medical therapy in improving glycemic control and reducing cardiovascular risk factors in individuals with Type 2 Diabetes (Schauer et al., 2017). As a result, leading health organizations—including the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and the International Diabetes Federation (IDF)—now recommend metabolic surgery as a treatment option not only for severe obesity (BMI ≥ 40) but also for patients with moderate obesity (BMI 35–39.9) or uncontrolled diabetes despite medical therapy (American Diabetes Association, 2023).

Types of Metabolic Surgery

Our practice offers two types of Metabolic and Bariatric surgical procedures: 
  • gastric bypass, and
  • sleeve gastrectomy. 
They are the most common procedures performed in the world and provide the best balance between weight loss and safety.

Risks and Considerations 

As with any major surgery, metabolic procedures carry potential risks. Patients with diabetes may face higher complication rates, such as infections or delayed wound healing, especially if they have additional metabolic disorders like hypertension or dyslipidemia (Aminian et al., 2020). A comprehensive pre-operative evaluation—including metabolic, nutritional, and psychological assessments—helps minimize risks and determine surgical suitability (Mechanick et al., 2019).