Weight-loss surgery puts diabetes in retreat [news]

WEIGHT-LOSS surgery can reverse and possibly cure diabetes. Two studies, released yesterday, found clear proof that surgery helped far more patients achieve normal blood-sugar levels than medicines alone did for "diabesity" - Type 2 diabetes brought on by obesity. The results were dramatic: some people were able to stop taking insulin as soon as three days after their operations. Cholesterol rates and other heart risk factors were also greatly improved. In one study, most surgery patients were able to stop all diabetes drugs and have their disease stay in remission for at least two years. None of those treated with medicines alone could do that.