Bariatric surgery for diabetes: gastric banding is simple and safe

<jats:p>Bariatric surgery (BS) is an important treatment option for selected patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes, and laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) is an effective procedure for many of these patients. This treatment has become preferred in many centres because it is the simplest current option and therefore has substantially better short- and long-term safety profiles than the alternative and more invasive surgical procedures that are advocated by some. The selection of suitable patients for this and other forms of BS, optimum outcomes and follow-up of these patients requires more active involvement of diabetes teams. LAGB is a safe and effective treatment for type 2 diabetes, but just as with pharmacological therapies — diabetes teams should take more ownership of the initial decision to employ BS and acquire the skills and knowledge to ensure that patients obtain full metabolic benefit from this treatment.</jats:p>