diabetes
I am interested in info from people who are diabetic. Does it hinder/help the approval process? Are there more surgical complications...like healing after surgery? How about glucose control after? I am still researching the Lapband procedure and am more than a little nervous about the whole thing, but leaning toward seeking approval. Thanks!
Hi, Michelle, and greetings from the west side of BPT!
I was (still am, but almost not anymore) type 2 diabetic. Preop, I was on 2 types of insulin and 2 oral meds for diabetes, and my glucose levels still ran about 250-300. Diabetes is a comorbidity of obesity, and that does carry some weight when it comes to the approval process - usually. I say usually because it seems like a lot of insurance companies are trying to find ways to NOT cover the WLS procedures.
I didn't have (that I know of) any complications that were related to diabetes, and no problems with healing. Now that you mention it, I guess I was a little surprised by that, because you always hear about how diabetes can make wounds heal slowly.
I had lap done 12/2003 and have lost 161 pounds. I am off all but one oral med, and I will be seeing my PCP next week. He and I are both hopeful that I can be taken off the last one then. My A1C has gone from 9.7 preop to 5.1.
Hope this helps you. If you're interested, my surgeon is now Chief of Bariatric Surgery at St. V's and will be having an information seminar this Tuesday night at the hospital. If you want more info, please feel free to email me. I will be going to their support group the same night, and usually drop by the seminar after the group. Maybe I'll see you there!
Good luck in your research. You are taking the first steps toward being VERYgood to yourself!
Bette
Bette,
Thank you so much for your response and the information...very helpful. I read your profile. What an amazing transformation! And your writing style is so entertaining. I'm concerned about being diabetic and all, but I think my biggest fear (and this will sound really stupid) is succeeding in losing the weight I've been carrying around for 50+ years. What you, and so many others have accomplished is life-changing. I guess I'm afraid of that change. I will move forward with this process, however, and try not to run (I can't remember the last time I RAN anywhere) scared! I know about Tuesday's meeting at St V's...can't make it to that one, but I will be at the one on 2/8. I would love to meet you then. Thanks again.
Michelle
Hi Michelle,
I have type two diabetes and just had my GBypass done on 1-4-05 so far everything is healing fine. Before surgery I took Glucophage XR twice a day and now post op I am taking nothing for my diabetes. My blood sugar was 190 when I was tested in the hospital right before I left on Friday. As far as I know it was a large determinating factor in my insurance approval as well. From all signs my diabetes is expected to go into remission from the weight loss and exercize post op. I hope this helps you out a little.
Love and Peace
Anne B
Hi Michelle,
My husband and I both Had type 2 diabetes, I was on Avandia and Glucophage and he was on 3 different types of meds and almost on insulin. I had my surgery last January and he had his in May. We both had open RNY, and our incisions healed fine, as long as you listen and clean it and keep up with whatever they tell you to do you will be good to go. We both did great with our surgery, we came out of the hospital without taking our diabetes meds and never needed to go back on them and now the diabetes for both of us is in remission and we no longer have it. This is the main reason we had this surgery because it runs in our families and my dad and his mom passed away from complications with diabetes and we did'nt want to end up like that. This surgery was the best decision we could have made and we are so healthy now and we are so happy! Hope this helps you!
MaryJo
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