Weight Loss Surgery Tried for More People

A few surgeons are trying to expand who is eligible for weight loss surgery. The aim is to help people with uncontrolled diabetes. The Associated Press (AP) wrote July 8 about a woman who got the procedure. Weight loss surgery includes gastric bypass, stomach stapling and gastric banding. Guidelines set limits on who should have these procedures. They are recommended for people with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or more. Usually, this is at least 100 pounds overweight. The surgery also can be done if someone has a BMI of 35 or more and an obesity-related health problem, such as diabetes. The woman profiled by AP had a lower BMI, 31.8. But she could not control her blood sugar. After gastric bypass, she is 50 pounds lighter. She has no need for diabetes medicine. Her surgery was done at New York Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center.