WLS and Type 2

I was diagnosed Type 2 in May this year. With a low carb diet and Metformin, I've been able to keep my sugars pretty much controlled (fasting between 110-130, pre-meal 90-120, and post-meal below 140).  The thing is, I'm only 25 years old. The time I have left in my life for diabetes complications is enormous. With diet and exercise, I can only hope to control my levels for a while before my body gets tired, and the disease progresses. Taking medication every day will take its toll on my liver and kidneys for having to process the drugs. I haven't had children yet, and diabetes during pregnancy can have a drastically negative effect on the kidneys. And so, I'm considering WLS. From my reasearch, my best bet would be a gastric bypass (either RYGB or mini gb) because banding does not disconnect the duodenum. I'd love to hear any firsthand experiences from those who have had WLS and its affect on your Type 2 Diabetes.

Hi, jillybean... Hope that this info helps.... here's a link and some comments that I thought you'd be interested in reading.   Ro http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/diabetes/a,messageboard/ac tion,replies/board_id,4854/cat_id,4454/topic_id,3591407/

Thanks, do-over. I had actually already read that whole thread (and the information discussed therein) prior to posting. I was just wondering about people's actual personal experiences I've read a LOT about it. Just trying to guage real people's experiences rather than controlled studies, I suppose.

I don't fulfill your request, as a person who has not yet had surgery, but I do have opinions from reading lots of posts, researching, and talking to persons who have had these procedures. Most surgeons will recomend the RNY for you because it will correct the diabetes right away.  I'd suggest lap band because of your age.  The malabsorption issues with most other procedures don't seem like a good idea for a young person if there is a choice.  It does take longer with the band, but after five years the results are just as good, with feweer complications Henry

The problem with the band (aside from having the lowest rate of weight loss maintenance long-term) is that it doesn't alter the duodenum. Studies have shown that it is not just the weight loss that kicks the type 2 diabetes, but rather the disconnection of the duodenum. There was a study done on rats where they could basically turn diabetes on and off like a switch by disconnecting and reconnecting the duodenum. I'm actually now more convinced that Duodenal Switch is the right surgery for me. It has a much higher rate of success for remission of type 2 diabetes

Hi Henry.  Hey  I get banded the same day as you and I am type 2 diabetic and 58 years old .  Sure hope I can get off the insulin and meds fairly soon.  Good luck to you.  Wysiw

I had lapband surgery in April of this year.  At my highest weight, I was taking maximal doses of 2 meds with an A1c of 7%.  By the time I had my lapband surgery, I had lost some weight preop and was taking half maximal doses of only 1 med with an A1c of 6.4%.  Immediately post surgery, I didn't need anything for my blood sugar and haven't since.  It's been about 3.5 months since surgery, I've lost 29 additional pounds, I still haven't taken any medication for my diabetes and my A1c is 5.2%.

I have read that remission of diabetes after lapband surgery is dependent on the degree of weight loss.  However, for me, the lapband caused my diabetes to go into remission right away, even without a huge weight loss upfront.  I'm not sure why that was, but I think the following were important:  I was recently diagnosed and had some pancreatic reserve; I was in reasonably good control on not very much medication; and on the day of surgery, I was very close to the weight at which I was first diagnosed.  When I lost enough that I went below that weight, which happened a few days after surgery, it was like a switch getting thrown.  Suddenly, everything was normal.  I can't explain it, but that's what happened to me.

So, depending on how much weight you have to lose, and what your situation is, I would encourage you to consider the lapband.  I had it done laparascopically and, to my surprise, I have had no complications yet (not even vomiting) and the weight loss, while not exactly effortless, is not that hard.  There are a number of women on the lapband forum who are currently pregnant and some of them didn't even get unfilled.

Unfortunately, I have already lost about 20 pounds since my diagnosis, and it has not improved my diabetes. Thank you so much for sharing your experience! For me, I've decided on the duodenal switch procedure (I do have about 150 pounds to lose). I have chosen a surgeon who can perform the DS laparoscopically. It has the highest rate of sending type 2 into remission plus the highest rate of success at maintaining the weight loss long-term. Since I am only 25, long term is VERY important to me! It will mean taking LOTS of nutritional supplements, but to me, it is worth the trade-off.

I'm type I and II.  Had RNY 6/6.  The type II was gone instantly, and my type I greatly improved.  Doc thought RNY best for my diabetes.  I'm 18 years old, BMI 35.  RNY has been difficult for me, lots of complications so far.  Doc. said the band is slower - but just eating less cures type II most of the time, which both procedures accomplish.  Band takes maintenance and possible future surgery, which I didn't want.  But less chance for complications.  Hard decision.  Being young, I wanted quick results so chose RNY.  But am paying a stiff price.  In the end, when things settle down I'll probably be happy with my choice.  Best of luck. 

I had WLS because of my diabetes my A1c was above 10, I had to get it down to 8 before they would do surgery with lots of medicine it came down but after a while al of the meds take a toll on  your body , I was diabetic for 22 years and on oral meds only, I would not take insulin needle after WLS my diabetes improved and I was only on Januvia well as of  2 weeks ago my A1c was 6.7 hasn't been that low in over 10 yrs. and now I am off my Januvia and I feel GREAT.
I don't have hypertension anymore and I am off my water pill also the only things I take are lots of supplements
Susan