BARIATRIC SURGERY FOR TYPE 2 DIABETES IN SAUDI ARABIA: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW

Saudi Arabia faces a burgeoning obesity epidemic, with a significant impact on the prevalence of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). This comprehensive review examines the effectiveness of bariatric surgery as a pivotal treatment option for managing T2DM in the context of Saudi Arabias socioeconomic and health landscape. Our review highlights the profound impact of bariatric surgery procedures on weight loss and T2DM remission rates, demonstrating a significant advantage over conventional medical management. The review also delves into the socio-cultural factors influencing the obesity and T2DM epidemic in Saudi Arabia, the economic burden of these conditions, and the national strategies implemented to combat them. We further discuss the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to treatment, encompassing lifestyle and dietary modifications, psychological support, and post-operative care, to ensure the long-term success of bariatric interventions. Our findings suggest that bariatric surgery offers a viable and effective treatment modality for T2DM management in Saudi Arabia, underscoring the need for patient-specific treatment planning and the importance of comprehensive post-surgical care. Future research directions include evaluating the long-term outcomes of bariatric surgery and optimizing patient selection criteria to enhance treatment efficacy and patient quality of life.