Ileal transposition is a surgery performed to treat type 2 diabetes in patients who cannot control their blood sugar levels through conventional treatments.

What is Ileal Transposition?

Ileal transposition is a surgery performed to treat type 2 diabetes in patients who cannot control their blood sugar levels through conventional treatments. During the surgery, surgeons rearrange parts of the small intestine and interpose a segment of the ileum into the proximal part of the small intestine.

The aim of the alteration in the digestive system is to regulate various physiological aspects, such as:

• GLP-1 levels for insulin regulation.
• Decreasing insulin resistance
• Aiding in calorie restriction
• Weight control

Who is the Right Candidate for Ileal Transposition?

Ileal transposition offers both risks and benefits. Therefore, the procedure may not be suitable for every patient. Some of the criteria for ileal transposition surgery are:

• If you have type 2 diabetes and experience difficulties controlling blood sugar levels.
• If you have organ damage because of obesity or diabetes.
• If traditional diabetes treatments are not an option anymore.
• If your Body Mass Index is at a normal level.

Surgery Procedure for Ileal Transposition

Ileal transposition requires a 5-hour surgery process. You will not feel any pain during the procedure due to the general anesthesia. Even though the success rate of ileal transposition surgery is high, the results depend on several factors, such as the expertise of your surgeon, your overall health, or complications occurring during or after the surgery.

Before this metabolic surgery, you should maintain your physical health as well as your mental health. Before the surgery, especially patients with obesity and Type 2 diabetes, are evaluated to see if they are suitable for the surgery.

The surgery procedure can be summarized as below:

• Your surgeon will make small incisions and insert surgical instruments, such as a camera, for guidance.
• Later, your surgeon will select a segment of the ileum that is generally 200 cm in length.
• The ileum is interposed into a more proximal segment of the small intestine. This process is performed to ensure food passage through the entire small intestine without causing malabsorption.
• In the last step of surgery for type 2 diabetes and obesity, your surgeon will restore intestinal continuity by connecting the relocated segments with the rest of the intestines.

Recovery After Ileal Transposition Surgery

Ileal transposition is considered a complicated surgery technique that requires a strict aftercare procedure. You may need to stay at the hospital for a few days. However, from six months to one year, you may need to follow your surgeon’s instructions.

• You will start your diet with liquids. After several days, you may start consuming soft foods and eventually regular foods.
• Your surgeon may prescribe medications. You should take these medications according to the instructions.
• You should start physical activities at a minimum. You can increase the density of physical activities according to your surgeon’s advice.
• You should protect your incisions from infection. Therefore, you should maintain a strict wound care procedure.
• You should adjust your diet and lifestyle as necessary.
• You should visit your surgeon regularly.

Risks and Benefits of Ileal Interposition Surgery

Ileal transposition is a surgery during which your surgeon replaces the last part of your small intestine, the ileum, and the initial part of it. Ileal transposition surgery, of course, involves both risks and benefits.

Benefits:

• The surgery is effective in managing Type 2 diabetes. It offers better control of blood sugar levels.
• Surgery helps you lose weight.
• After the surgery, you may decrease the number of medications you use for diabetes.

Risks:

• You can experience complications such as infection or bleeding, which you can experience in every surgery.
• The surgery can lead to nutritional deficiencies, necessitating a need for dietary supplements.
• There is a possibility of facing digestive problems like bowel obstruction or dumping syndrome.

The Difference Between Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes

Ileal transposition is not a type of surgery that cures Type 1 diabetes. The surgery is for Type 2 diabetes and targets insulin resistance. As patients with Type 1 diabetes have autoimmune conditions, the treatments for Type 1 focus on replacing insulin.

The difference between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes can be summarized as below:

• Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition where the body's immune system attacks insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. Type 2 diabetes, however, often results from a combination of genetics and lifestyle factors which affect the body's ability to use insulin.
• Type 1 typically appears in childhood or adolescence, while Type 2 is more common in adults.
• Type 1 requires lifelong insulin therapy. Type 2 can often be managed with lifestyle changes and oral medications, although insulin may be required as the disease progresses.

Life Insurance for Diabetes Type 2

Ileal transposition can be covered by your insurance company. However, life insurance terms should be suitable for your current overall health. As you know, the clauses in the insurance are specifically created according to your needs. Therefore, for Type 2 diabetes, life insurance terms and conditions should be covered long before your surgery.

• You should get life insurance before you develop diseases.
• If you are already diagnosed with diabetes, such as Type 1, Type 2, or gestational diabetes, you should wait to get life insurance until your diabetes gets under control. High sugar levels indicate that you are not in good health, which leads insurance companies to increase their rates.