one month checkup and still diabetic---uugghhhh!!

Well here I am one month after RNY surgery and my diabetes is still about the same as pre-surgery.  I check four times a day but since I am throwing up a lot my numbers really jump around, 130-160.  The absolute high was 172 so as long as it stays under 200 the surgeon said no meds.  So my question is:  how long before my body recognizes there is no food going past the pancreas?  Anyone have a handle on this?    I am a type 2, well controlled for 8 years.  But I am old, fat and can't exercise much due to another health problem.  Any ideas how to speed up this process?  My mom died of complications of diabetes and I don't want to.  Thanks.  Helga

Hi Helga,
I'm also a type II and had my surgery on 8/18.  My numbers have improved some and I don't seem to be experiencing any lows, which is somewhat of a surprise to me, considering the dietary changes. I figure I won't really know just how I'm doing until I have my A1C test done.  I'm continuing with my one oral med until that time. Since the A1C is only done every three months I still have a bit of a wait. 
I'm what is considered a mild diabetic and have only been diabetic for about two years.  My understanding is that a lot of what determines how effective the surgery is in resolving diabetic issues rapidly is based on the severity of the diabetes, how long the person has been diabetic and the drugs that were used to treat the diabetes.  Some types of the oral drugs, mostly older ones caused the pancreas to burn out so that they no longer produce insulin.  More than likely this is not an issue for you since your numbers are relatively stable. 
My husband will soon be having the RNY but the prognosis for it having a quick and significant  impact on his diabetes is not so good.  He's been diabetic for 20+ years and early on took some of those meds that cause the pancreas to have to work harder.  I'm sure as he looses weight that things will improve, he's just unlikely to experience the quick impact of bypassing the duodenum that some people will have. 

I don't have any ideas on how to speed up the process, but whether it happens right away or down the road a ways *sigh*  we'll all experience better health.  I'm sorry that your mother died of complications, we've come a long ways in the treatment of diabetes and it sounds like you are doing everything you can.

Take Care and Good Luck, I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for you.
Linda

Thanks--I occasionally need a boast of "everything will be ok."  I have hardly eaten the last week because I can't keep anything down so my numbers are looking good but I guess I am just waiting for this bod of mine of settle down.  The after care nurse decreased my fluid levels and this seems to be helping.  Thanks again for answering.

Give it a bit more time, Mehelga. It is true that the duration and severity of diabetes affect post-op response to WLS, but you should see improvement as you lose weight. You mentioned that you were vomiting a lot and that your nurse decreased your fluid levels, though, which I would really be concerned about. Vomiting and diarrhea are dehydrating conditions. When you are dehydrated, your body will take fluid for your cells from wherever it can get it, and the biggest source is your blood. When your blood volume is reduced due to dehydration, your blood glucose concentration goes UP, not down, which could be one of the sources of those high sugars. When a diabetic gets diarrhea or persistent vomiting, it is IMPERATIVE to rehydrate the body and keep it hydrated - i.e., increase fluids, not decrease them.

That makes absolute sense.  I will up fluids again and will be seeing my regular doctor this Wednesday.  He is good and maybe I can stop this nausea.  Thanks again.  Helga

I'm a realist -- we all have to remember that "someone" has to make up the statistics.   I am 2 1/2 yrs out from RNY.   I just turned 50 and weigh 50% of what I did at 40.  I never got off of meds or had any bit of remission of my diabetes.  I am currently consuming 2-4 carb exchanges per day and my A1C continues to go up. 

I also didn't get off of blood pressure or cholesterol medication after surgery.   Even though RNY is a fabulous tool to help us lose weight,  it cannot change genetics.  

Even though all my issues didn't go away, I know that my future health outlook is WAY better than it would have been if I'd continued to carry twice the weight.

I'd still do it all over again........Cheryl

Thanks Cheryl
  I am feeling a little better today and ate cream of wheat so I took 1/2  of my diabetic med (prandin 2 mg before meals).  I crashed.  So either my body is getting better and didn't really need it or the moon is full or who knows.  I do know my high blood pressure is a lot lower and I expect to reduce that when I see my doctor.  Getting up is a dizzing experience now and the after care nurse is the one who told me to go back to my PCP and talk about the high boold pressure meds. 

I am glad things are working out for you--I too have an intereting genetic background (my major back in the dark ages was genetics so now that I am retired I audit the local UC genetics class because it is all new to me and interesting).  I strongly believe our enviroment does control the expression of some genes--actually turns them on or off.  Of course I wanted RNY to find that off switch in my body for everything immediately.  I'll  just wait it out.  Good luck and thanks again for answering.  Helga

Sorry things are not going quite as quick or smoothly as you would have hoped.
I am pre op and really hoping my diabeties and HBP go down and I can reduce the meds.  I HATE taking pills.  I am trying to learn as much as possible.
41 days to new life.
Sheri

 Hi Helga,  I found your post while looking for some explanation about my blood sugars.  Six days after surgery my numbers dropped to well within the normal range.  I celebrated my diabetes going into remission.  Well, I celebrated too early.  The numbers came back up, and they seem to be staying up.  I'm taking a small dose of insulin and still nothing good happening.  My endocrinologist is away for five weeks, so I'm going to see my PCP this afternoon.  I'm so discouraged.  Lucy

Hi Lucy--I am nine weeks out now--my numbers are about the same except I stay in the 130 to 150 range before and after I eat y 1/4 cup of protein.  I never go high or low anymore and as long as I stay under 200 I was told no meds.  How about calling your endocrinologist's office--I find if the nurse knows you it makes a world of difference getting in sooner if you need to.  I have stablized; I just wi**** had been in a lower range.  Best of luck and I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.  Helga