Can surgery beat diabetes in teens? new study investigates

NCT ID NCT03620773

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study looked at whether weight-loss surgery (vertical sleeve gastrectomy) can improve kidney, heart, and pancreas function in teens aged 12-21 with type 2 diabetes and obesity. Researchers measured blood flow to the kidneys, kidney filtering ability, and insulin production before and after surgery. The goal is to see if surgery offers better long-term health than standard diabetes medications.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

Vertical sleeve gastrectomy (weight-loss surgery)

What this could lead to

If successful, this could show that weight-loss surgery helps control or even reverse type 2 diabetes in teens, reducing long-term complications.

What could go wrong

This is an early-phase study with only 24 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. Surgery carries risks like infection or nutritional deficiencies.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Diabetes Complications diabetes mellitus diabetic kidney disease kidney disorder Obesity obesity disorder Pediatric Obesity type 2 diabetes mellitus Weight Loss

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Children's Hospital Colorado

    Aurora, Colorado, 80045, United States