Prostate Cancer Screening in Black Men

People who seek medical help for weight management are used to hearing that results take time. Imagine the surprise of some patients with type 2 diabetes when their blood sugar improves meaningfully within days or weeks of bariatric surgery.

It happens—and it’s a dramatic sign of the benefits bariatric surgery holds for many patients, said Dr. Fritz Jean-Pierre, a board-certified bariatric surgeon and national leader in minimally invasive and robotic techniques for the treatment of obesity and metabolic disorders.

When changes in blood sugar following bariatric and metabolic surgery were first observed in the 1990s, the reason was a mystery. But today, medical experts know more about the hormones that regulate hunger and insulin production. They also know more about how bariatric surgery affects the same hormones.

Understanding type 2 diabetes: It starts with insulin resistance

Insulin is a hormone that regulates blood sugar. Insulin resistance happens when muscle, fat and liver cells fail to respond to insulin, causing the pancreas to overproduce the hormone. Eventually, blood sugar rises. Patients may develop prediabetes or type 2 diabetes.

Another hormone that affects weight is GLP-1. It’s naturally produced in the gut after eating. GLP-1 helps regulate blood sugar by:

• Stimulating insulin
• Suppressing glucagon, a hormone the pancreas produces that raises blood glucose levels
• Slowing digestion

Many recognize GLP-1 today because of the class of weight-management drugs such as Ozempic, Zepbound and Wegovy. These medications mimic and amplify the effects of the GLP-1 hormone.

How bariatric surgery affects hunger hormones and improves health

Several types of bariatric surgery are performed at Wellstar. While each procedure alters the digestive system differently, all appear to influence the hormones that regulate hunger and blood sugar.

Hormones, such as GLP-1, that promote fullness and insulin sensitivity increase after surgery. The liver produces less excess glucose, and the body becomes more sensitive to insulin. Other hormones—like ghrelin, which signals the brain that the stomach is empty—decrease after surgery.

“We've known since the early 2000s that after bariatric surgery, you have a boost in GLP-1 hormone production,” said Dr. Jean-Pierre. “Patients notice improvements in their blood sugars and that feeling of fullness.”

As a result of hormonal changes triggered by surgery, patients who are not yet on insulin replacement therapy may enter diabetes remission relatively soon, according to Dr. Jean-Pierre.

“The patient may have lost only 5 or 10 pounds yet their blood sugars have become normalized,” he said. “Their diabetes is completely controlled without medication after surgery. That’s the best-case scenario.”

For other patients, improved blood sugar may take longer. Still, clinical trials show that bariatric surgery leads to diabetes remission in 33% to 90% of individuals at one year after bariatric and metabolic surgery.¹

“These surgeries are not just changing or shrinking the patient’s stomach,” Dr. Jean-Pierre said. “We're changing their metabolisms in a way that will help improve a lot of related health conditions like high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol and fatty liver disease.”

Long-term health benefits of bariatric surgery

There are many health risks of type 2 diabetes and obesity. Those include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep apnea and joint pain. Unmanaged diabetes can lead to damage to nerves, kidneys, eyes and heart. Stroke risk is also higher in people with diabetes.

Physicians have more treatment options for obesity than ever, including surgery, medications and lifestyle changes. Wellstar Center of Best Health is a comprehensive weight management clinic with clinicians, dietitians, psychologists and exercise physiologists who work collaboratively with surgeons.

Together, they learn about each patient’s situation and develop a personalized treatment plan with the best chance of success. Some patients may benefit from both surgery and medication.

“Obesity is a chronic, relapsing, multi-variable disease process that we have to approach from different angles in order to best treat it,” said Dr. Jean-Pierre. “You must approach it comprehensively, including nutrition and exercise. Medication itself is not a magic bullet. Surgery is not a magic bullet.”

Wellstar’s weight loss teams support patients throughout their healthcare journey. The goal is to see patients reach their goals and return for follow-up care in even better health.

“It’s amazing when all of these treatment options fire in the right direction and we see the health improvements that come along with surgery,” such as:

• Better diabetes control
• Lower blood pressure
• Less joint inflammation and pain
• End of the need to use a CPAP for sleep apnea

“Most surgeons fix something, then you don't see your patient again. With bariatric surgery, it's a very different relationship,” Dr. Jean-Pierre said. “We see our patients for a long period of time afterward. We get to share in their successes and see their accomplishments as they lose that weight.”

Learn more about obesity medicine at Wellstar and make an appointment to see an obesity specialist at one of our locations.

For many families, care teams are a consistent part of a child’s life—supporting them from early childhood through adolescence. But as teens step into adulthood, one important transition can be easy to miss: moving from a pediatrician to an adult primary care provider.

This “handoff” is more than a change in doctors. It’s a key step in helping teens take ownership of their health and build habits that last a lifetime.

Timing the transition

“The transition usually happens between ages 17 and 19,” said Dr. Nicole Carter, a Wellstar Children’s of Georgia pediatrician. “The decision is primarily influenced by the teen and their family. Some young adults choose to move to an adult primary care provider sooner because they feel uncomfortable being in a setting with younger children.”

As one of Georgia’s largest and most integrated health systems, Wellstar offers an expansive network of primary care providers across the state—making it easier for families to find a convenient location and continue care as their needs change.

Why does this transition matter? For young adults navigating a new stage of life, healthcare can quickly fall down the priority list—especially when they feel healthy. Staying connected to care is essential.

“It's important to continue to emphasize preventive healthcare and yearly well checks,” Dr. Carter said. “Young adults also need a primary care physician they can turn to with questions about their mental and physical health.”

Gaining independence

One of the biggest adjustments during this handoff is who takes the lead.

“In adult care, the physician speaks directly to their patient. A parent can still be present or involved, but the young adult becomes the primary decision-maker,” Dr. Carter said.

That shift doesn’t happen overnight. Preparing early helps teens feel more confident managing their health, including having time alone with their provider to ask questions and speak openly.

Families can support their teen’s independence by creating space for honest conversations at home too.

“Important discussions include topics like sexuality and vaccines. It’s essential that teens and young adults are aware of their options,” said Dr. Carter.

As teens begin to play a more active role, parents and caregivers naturally step back.

“Caregivers should start allowing teens to answer questions asked by their provider and take the lead in any discussions, only filling in information when needed,” Dr. Carter said.

Avoiding gaps in care

Without a clear plan, it’s easy for care to fall through the cracks during this transition, especially around milestones like graduation.

“Before transitioning care, make sure any medications are refilled for three to six months and schedule a new patient appointment with an adult provider as soon as possible,” Dr. Carter said.

Establishing care early helps ensure there’s no disruption and gives teens a provider they can rely on as their needs evolve.

Building habits for life

The move to adult primary care is also a chance to reinforce habits that support long-term health.

With guidance from care teams and support from parents and caregivers, teens can stay on top of annual checkups, ask questions and take an active role in their care. Families can also help by building everyday skills, from understanding medical history to managing prescriptions.

Staying within a connected system like Wellstar can help simplify that process—making it easier to schedule appointments, access records and keep care on track as young adults take on more responsibility.

These early habits make a lasting difference. Together, we can help young adults move into their next phase with confidence and a stronger sense of ownership over their health.

Learn more about transitioning to adult primary care or find a provider near you.

Northwest Georgia Oncology Centers in Cartersville
June 5
1 PM to 3 PM
65 Cloverleaf Drive, Cartersville
Contact Mary Ellen Smither at [email protected] or (678) 858-1146.

Wellstar Cobb Medical Center
June 5
12 to 2 PM     
4040 Hospital West Drive, Austell
The event will be held in the parking lot across from Tranquility Hospice located at 4040 Hospital West Drive.
Contact Ashley Dapremont at [email protected] or (470) 732-4523.

Wellstar Douglas Medical Center
June 6
11 AM to 1 PM
6167 Prestley Mill Road, Douglasville 
Douglasville First United Methodist Church 
Contact Diane Harris at [email protected] or (470) 644-5411.

Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center
June 5
11:30 AM to 2:30 PM
320 Kennestone Hospital Blvd., Marietta
Cancer Center
Contact Leena Augustine at [email protected]. 

Wellstar North Fulton Medical Center
June 6
2 to 4 PM
3000 Hospital Blvd., Roswell
Main lobby in hospital
Contact Sarah Bentley at [email protected] or (770) 751-2556.

Wellstar Paulding Medical Center
June 7
2 to 4 PM
144 Bill Carruth Parkway, Hiram
Atrium
Contact Kellie Mitchell at [email protected] or (470) 644-8106.

Wellstar Spalding Medical Center
June 5
12 PM to 2 PM
608 South 8th St., Griffin
Cancer Center
Contact Sherry Connell at [email protected] or (470) 935-5526.

Wellstar West Georgia Medical Center
June 5
10 AM to 12 PM
111 Medical Drive, LaGrange
Enoch Callaway Cancer Center
Contact Stephanie Hand at [email protected].

Learn more about cancer care at Wellstar.