In a recent position statement, the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) is recommending the use of bariatric surgery at an earlier stage in the treatment of obese patients who also suffer from Type 2 diabetes. Rather than using JSAPA Weight Loss Surgery as a last resort, when other treatment methods have failed, it can be a successful earlier treatment strategy. The IDF gave their position statement supporting the earlier use of surgery to combat both obesity and diabetes to the 2nd World Congress on Interventional Therapies for Type 2 Diabetes.

The group states that the use of bariatric surgery is a cost-effective strategy for treating these conditions. In Jacksonville, Florida, and around the world, the incidence of obesity is rapidly rising. Along with the epidemic rise in obesity, Type 2 diabetes is showing a corresponding increase. Studies show that there are nearly 300 million people around the world with Type 2 diabetes. Estimates predict that by the year 2030 there will be 450 million people suffering from the disease, making this one of the fastest growing health problems in the world.

Type 2 diabetes increases the risk for many health problems including cardiovascular disease. Research studies have shown that bariatric surgery not only stops the progress of Type 2 diabetes, but leads to remission in almost 80 percent of patients. The cost of the surgery, when weighed against the cost of medical care for the complications arising from obesity and Type 2 diabetes, makes it both a health and cost effective treatment.

Goals of the IDF include priorities for further research into the use of bariatric surgery to curb the rise in Type 2 diabetes and to find ways to provide equitable access to the surgery. They suggest that barriers to access be identified and that recommendations for medical professionals be developed.