One of the most common medical conditions in the U.S., diabetes affects over 10 percent of Americans. Research has shown a higher prevalence of diabetes in men over women; however, men also are less likely to visit the doctor for a diagnosis or treatment.

Avoiding going to the doctor—we're talking to you, men—doesn't make you tougher. In fact, it can increase your risk of developing chronic conditions like diabetes.

Right now, almost 34 million Americans are living with diabetes, and 90% of those have type 2 diabetes. This is a growing epidemic, but health care providers can play a critical role by helping patients manage and reverse type 2 diabetes. While diet changes and medication are typically the first recommendations for managing type 2 diabetes, there’s a more significant treatment increasingly being recommended: bariatric surgery.