scared of surgery due to being a diabetic

Hi- I have my first appointment tomorrow to see about WLS. I am terrified of the whole process. I also don't heal well due to diabetes, can someone relate? Thanks, Janice

Hi Janice, Good luck with your appointment. I had diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and sleep apnea. I figured, if I didn't look into the WLS, the diabetes alone was going to kill me in the end. I healed wonderfully after surgery. I went into surgery being on 4 meds. I left the hospital on one (blood pressure). Within a week, my BP was so low, I had to stop taking the meds. So after 1 full week after surgery, I was off and still am off (3 1/2 mths out) all of my meds. Don't look at it from the point of view of healing, look at it as a way to decrease your diabetes and other co-morbitities and become healthier. It's definately worth it. Molly LAP RNY 10/4/06 318/255/150

Janice, I would agree with Molly, look at it as a big change for the better in your life! Also you should talk to the Dr regarding your worries and see what he/she has to say about it. I am sure once you are tested and everything is ok you will do fine. ~Hugs~ I wish you all the best! Debra P

Oh my gosh ! I suffered from diabetes (insulin controlled), gerd, hypertension, high cholestral and severe joint pain before my surgery. Right now, only the joint pain remains and that is due to years of MO damage. (But it has drastically decreased !) I had LAP RNY on Feb 20, 2006 and was back to work in two weeks. I had 4 incisions and one drain spot and totally honestly the only real incision that is obvious is the one incision where they use the larger equipment to do the stapling, etc. I had no complications (blessedly) and would not hesitate to have the surgery again. Please talk to your doctor and see what input they have. You may have to work very hard to have your blood sugars stablilized before your approval or even before the Dr will think of the surgery as an option. I will honestly tell you, that surgery has changed my life. I still have some pounds to go til I get down to my goal. BUT I am a person who takes my daily vitamins, and watchs my protein intake as opposed to a woman who carried around syringes and insulin with a "way too big" pill case daily. Feel free to email me if you have any questions or concerns. Best of luck and let us know how you made out with your appointment ! -Terri