help reducing meds/insulin while pre-op

Hoping someone has been thru this and can advise me. I am type 2 and take max amount of metformin and diamicron daily plus 15 units of slow acting insulin 2x day.

I am on optifast for 3 weeks and it is dropping my BSL to normal and my gp said to cut down on meds BUT no guideline as to how much and when - he did say that the diamicron had biggest impact. Any advice?  Being from Canada I am not familiar with your count- here 5 to 7 is norm and I usually run in mid to high teens.

Karen, Ontario Canada

Don't have any advice for you but will be in the same position you are in mid November.  I'm also a type 2 but take over 170 units of insulin a day plus Actos.  I'm Canadian as well so can relate to the difference in counts.  With all my insulin I still run anywhere from 10 - 17 on a regular basis.  I'm going to see my specialist two weeks before my surgery to find out what I'm supposed to do when I start the three day liquids. 

I'd call back your doctor and ask the questions you need to make sure you don't bottom out.  I'd be interested to see what they say as I journey along the same road you are on.

Hi Maggie

You are lucky- 3 days optifast. My surgeon wants 3 weeks but I have not been sticking to it so probably why I have not bottomed out. Did have (body)shakes and felt like I was going low sugar a few days ago- I was out and no glucometer with me- I ate and was myself again shortly after so I assume my sugar had dropped too low. With my surgery coming up next Friday I want to stick to Optifast for next week. I put a call in to the internist that the bariatric surgeon sent me to. At my PATTS this is the Dr that the nurse said should have gone over this with me, but didn't. I am waiting to hear from him.  I may try a call to a diabetic centre and see what they say.  good luck with your surgery on Nov 2- not far from my date :)


Karen, Port Perry

Hey Karen,

I'm am wondering if you body is just not used to a normal BS so that's why you felt like you did.  I am thinking I'm probably going to go through the same thing - my body doesn't know what normal BS is.  Once I got my BS down to about 6 and I felt like I was going to pass out.  The three days prior are going to be very interesting.  I don't have to do the Optifast, just clear liquids - thank God. 

I'm having a RNY, what are you having done?

Yes I have experienced weirdness when I am at normal BSL but ths was really scary and as soon as I ate I felt better.   I.m having RNY, too i week tomorrow when's your date?
Off to work so I can read these posts but can't reply.
Karen, Port Perry

I would go see an endocrinologist for advice on reducing you meds.  Also taking and charting your blood sugar level throughout the day will help you determine when your levels are a bit high or low and this info will help your doctor help you.