There are more than 72 million obese people in the United States, and tens of millions of them have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, an epidemic that continues to grow at a rapid pace. The good news is that certain types of bariatric surgery are proving to be effective options in eliminating diabetes and reducing weight. A recent study found that 36 percent of gastric bypass patients did not need diabetes medication two weeks after surgery and 67 percent were medication free after one year.