A recent retrospective study conducted by the Laparo Obeso Centre, Pune, revealed some impressive data about Diabetes cure and remission.
 

Over 5,000 patients have undergone Bariatric Surgery at Laparo Obeso Centre since 2004 and over 35% of them had Type II Diabetes. The study revealed that 60% of these patients can be defined to have 5 years remission or practically cured of Type II Diabetes.

Manali Desai, a 30-year-old lady came to Laparo Obeso Centre with Type II Diabetes and was fighting various challenges to control the same and required Insulin. She is enjoying a diabetes-free diet for the last 12 years after undergoing Gastric Bypass in 2006 at Laparo Obeso Centre. "I had never imagined that Diabetes cure is possible till Dr. Patwardhan from Miraj certified it for me 6 years after my Gastric Bypass," Manali said.

I always wondered whether diabetes cure is a myth or a reality, says Dr. Shashank Shah. "Even though the literal meaning of cure is different, I changed my mind after witnessing the long-term results. When someone with severe long-term diabetes like Mrs. Manali remains to have normal blood sugar levels that is within the non-diabetic range, for over 10 years without any treatment I cannot resist myself from saying that she is cured of diabetes for 10 years. Even though The American Diabetes Association defined cure after 5 years, I looked at almost double that duration before being convinced,” the doctor said.

The intention behind such a definition or terminology is not to claim 'cure', but to endorse results of long-term remission in the minds of patients as well as clinicians. Data suggests that less than 1% of the population, scientifically eligible for metabolic and bariatric surgery, undergo bariatric surgery in India. Millions of patients with diabetes and BMI above 35 are still unaware of this choice of treatment or they have not even been suggested this as an option of treatment.

In fact, the American Diabetes Association's latest guidelines published in 2017 have clearly offered metabolic surgery as treatment for patients with BMI more than 30 and uncontrolled diabetes." The American Diabetes Association's paper published in the Diabetes Care journal defined diabetes remission as achieving normal blood glucose level below the diabetic range without medications. Prolonged remission was defined as remission lasting for more than 5 years can operationally be considered as cure.

Even though there is a likelihood of relapse, there would be many patients who could enjoy long- term health benefits of remission/cure. And, even though the term cure cannot be used for diseases like cancer, blood pressure, or Diabetes mellitus, results of Bariatric Surgery have compelled the American Diabetes Association to consider the definition of cure for Type II Diabetes in the form of complete long-term remission beyond 5 years.

Dr. Shashank Shah's Laparo Obeso Centre, a comprehensive healthcare centre for the treatment of Obesity and Type II Diabetes happens to be the first centre in India to be certified as the International Centre of Excellence (2005) and the first Bariatric training facility in the country.

Recently in a survey, the hospital was ranked #1 in Maharashtra and among the top 5 hospitals in the country. It is one of the highest volume centers for Bariatric Surgery in Asia It has to its credit the highest number of publications on Bariatric and Metabolic Surgeries from any one unit in India. It is also known for pioneering Sleeve Gastrectomy in Asia.