Background: The benefits of metabolic bariatric surgery (MBS) in people with a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 50 kg/m² are not well-established, with concerns of increased risk and poorer weight loss. The optimal surgical type (gastric bypass [GB] versus sleeve gastrectomy [SG]) is unclear, with studies comparing complication rates, weight loss, and glycaemic outcomes reporting mixed results. Methods: Participants with a BMI ≥ 50 kg/m² undergoing MBS (SG or GB) from 2008 to 2022 were recruited. Demographics, anthropometrics, biochemistry, and diabetes status were analysed at baseline, 12 months, and 24 months post-operatively. Surgical outcomes and complications were analysed. Results: The study included n = 184, with BMI ≥ 50 kg/m² (57.6% female, age 38.6 ± 10.5 years, and BMI 55.3 ± 6.0 kg/m²). Pre-operatively, 21.1% had pre-diabetes, and 33.2% had diabetes (mean HbA1c 8.0 ± 1.7%). Most subjects (89.1%) underwent SG. The overall 30-day adverse event rate was 4.9%, with a higher, but not statistically significant, rate in the GB group (15.0% vs 3.7%, p = 0.061). The GB group had a longer length of stay (GB =4.5 ± 0.6 days, SG = 3.1 ± 0.2, and p = 0.023). The rate of revisional surgery was 2.7%, with no significant difference between groups. The follow-up rate was 67.9% at 12 months and 51.1% at 24 months. The average %total weight loss (%TWL) at 12 months (27.4 ± 9.0%, SG = 27.6 ± 9.0%, GB = 26.0 ± 9.4%, and p = 0.481) and 24 months (27.1 ± 10.9%, SG = 27.4 ± 11.1%, GB = 24.9 ± 8.9%, and p = 0.495) were similar between groups. The GB group had a larger HbA1c reduction (3.2 ± 1.1%) than SG (1.9 ±1.3%, p = 0.030) but no difference in diabetes remission rates (69.2% at 12 months, 76.7% at 24 months). Conclusions: MBS is safe and effective for individuals with a BMI ≥ 50 kg/m², with low complication rates and good weight loss and glycaemic outcomes at 2 years. No statistically significant differences in %TWL, diabetes remission, or complication rates were noted between SG and GB groups, though results are limited by the small number of participants who underwent GB.

Background: Self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) using web-based diabetes management platforms has demonstrated promise in managing type 2 diabetes (T2D). However, the effectiveness of such systems incorporating algorithm-guided insulin titration has not been extensively studied in Asian populations. Objective: This study evaluates the efficacy and safety of the ALRT telehealth solution—a US Food and Drug Administration–cleared, web-based platform that integrates SMBG with algorithm-driven insulin dose adjustments—in improving glycemia in insulin-treated T2D. Methods: This 24-week, pre-post intervention study enrolled 25 adults with T2D (mean age 58.9, SD 7.0 y; n=14, 56% male) on twice-daily premixed insulin. Inclusion criteria included a baseline hemoglobin A_1c (HbA_1c) level between 7.5% to 9.9% (58‐86 mmol/mol), a BMI ≤40 kg/m², and experience with SMBG. Participants uploaded twice-daily SMBG data weekly via a mobile app, which generated insulin titration recommendations based on a predefined algorithm. Physicians reviewed and approved the recommendations, which were then communicated back to participants via the app. The primary outcome was the change in HbA_1c level from baseline to 24 weeks. Secondary outcomes included changes in fasting plasma glucose, insulin dose, hypoglycemia incidence, and SMBG adherence. Results: Participants achieved significant reductions in HbA_1c level from 8.6% (70 mmol/mol) at baseline to 7.4% (57 mmol/mol) at 24 weeks (P<.001), with reductions of 0.8% and 0.4% in the first and second 12 weeks, respectively. Fasting plasma glucose decreased from 8.7 (SD 2.0) mmol/L to 7.1 (SD 1.4) mmol/L (P<.001). Mean total daily insulin dose increased modestly from 0.73 (SD 0.31) units/kg/day to 0.79 (SD 0.34) units/kg/day (P=.007). Participants demonstrated high adherence, completing 97.3% (327/336) of prescribed SMBG measurements. During the study, 48% (12/25) of participants experienced at least 1 hypoglycemia episode, predominantly mild hypoglycemia (85/96, 88.5%; glucose 3.0‐3.9 mmol/L). Hypoglycemia episodes increased from 24 during weeks 0‐12 to 72 during weeks 13‐24. There were no episodes of severe hypoglycemia requiring external assistance. BMI increased slightly from 29.0 (SD 3.6) kg/m² to 29.5 (SD 3.6) kg/m² (P=.03), reflecting a modest weight gain associated with improved glycemia. Conclusions: In conclusion, patients with insulin-treated T2D initiated on a web-based glucose monitoring system with algorithm-guided dosing recommendations showed significant improvement in glycemic control compared to baseline. High adherence rates underscore the feasibility of integrating algorithm-guided insulin titration into routine care. While hypoglycemia incidence rose slightly, episodes were predominantly mild, and no severe events occurred. This intervention shows promise for broader adoption in T2D management, particularly in resource-constrained settings.