How many people have had their diabetes go away after WLS?

I am 2 months out and already have cut my meds in 1/2 :)
I am very hopeful to be off them all together as I have only had type 2 for about 6 years.
Am I being realistic? TIA!

That depends on your definition of "go away." Is it realistic to think you might get off of all diabetes meds? Yes. I was on 2500mg metformin and 500 Januvia (sitagliptin) before surgery and still had A1Cs of 8.1 and 7.9 as my most recent readings pre-op. I left the hospital taking only 1000mg metformin daily, which was cut down to 500mg at about 3 months post-op (my doc is somewhat conservative and didn't want to just cut it all off at once), and I stopped taking it completely at about 6 months post-op. Free of all meds, my last A1C was 4.8 (fastings consistently in the 80s-90s).

All of that said, I still consider myself a diabetic. I know if I have, say, a milkshake (which obviously is not an everyday thing), I can still spike up into the 200s. It comes back down quickly (and without crashing - I've never experienced a hypo), but that it gets that high at all makes me still keep an eye on it every once in a while.

Thanks so much!

I am 3 months out and off all diabetic meds and having normal blood sugars.  With that said, once you are diabetic you are always diabetic.  You may already be aware of this.  Its especially important to keep in mind in times of illness, stress, and while taking particular medications that can affect your blood sugar.  It's great not to have to take the medication now and even better that I am not doing the damage to my body.

 Hi - new here on this board and just had my surgery August 16th.  I was barely controlling my diabetes - a1c levels between 7 and 8 on 4 glucovance (5/500 metformin and glyburide) per day and morning dose of humalog 75/25 of 65 units and an evening dose of 58 units.  After the surgery... only a few days later...  I had zero meds going in and blood sugars running in the mid to high 200's.  I decided to add the glucovance back - only 2 tablets per day, and ALREADY I am running 140's during the day.  I am still tweaking it with PCP and such, but you are reading a post from someone who had consistent levels in the 500's with the glucovance 2/2x and no insulin only a year-and-a-half ago.

I just had the surgery two weeks ago, and my blood sugars have calmed down that much.  I know I have saved my life with this!  Anyway, I am sure that it will continue to improve, and I will be able to get rid of all meds.  YAY!
I believe you are being very realistic. Best of luck to you on your journey!

My highest A1C ever was 11.4.  I managed to get it down to 7.2 pre op.  At that time I was taking 2 different types of insulin, 2000 mg of metformin, byetta shot, and another pill whose name I can't think of at the moment.  I haven't had ANY medication for diabetes since surgery 7/14/09.  My A1C as of last week was 5.2.  I was on 15 different medications for assorted ailments.  Now I take just two - a blood pressure pill (1/2 the dose I used to take) and a thyriod pill (again half the dose I used to take).  I feel great!  Still have 50 lbs to lose and the going is slow.  Entirely my fault!  Working full time, going to college full time, and tutoring - just not making time for exercise.
I would not say my diabetes went away.  I think once a diabetic always a diabetic.

I took my last meds for type II diabetes on May 4 09 (the day before my RNY) and have not had to take them since. My last A1C was 5.5 and my BS never gets over 120.. So I would have to say that it has worked for me.

I think it is realistic to be hopeful about getting off the meds at some point. Good Luck to you!

There is no way to tell 100% if you will need to be treated with medicines after surgery.  There are people who weigh over 400 pounds and have never controlled their blood sugars who are perfect the day after surgery.  And there are people who get down to normal weight, don't eat carbs, get lots of exercise and still need medicines to controls their diabetes after surgery.

There is an extremely good change that you will not need any medicines after surgery, but no guarantees.

My doctor told me that he takes bets on who will be "cured" of diabetes after surgery and he is not always right.

I am 6 months out had complete bypass (RNY). Was diabetic for 12 years, Insulin dependent, and various other meds, for cholestrol, blood pressure, thyroid ect...I was 284lbs @ 5'7".  Controlled with my meds, woke up from surgery in the 253 range and have had increasing sugars ever since.
Never once did I come of all my meds. Was off pills for a month, then put back on all of them. I have lost 78lbs so far, can eat ok, nothing makes me throw up, but no matter what, unless I go back on insulin and risk re-gaining my 78lb loss, my sugars are uncontrolled and somedays are so high, my vision is blurry. I consider the surgery a waste of money and a complete failure for me. In my case it seems to have done absolutely nothing for any of my health issues. Not even a 78lb loss has helped my health issues? I was very realistic, now I am completely in shock and extremely disappointed.Yes, it can happen, and it happened to me.

I too am almost 6 mo out from BPD/DS, and I have just now gotten off my insulin pump.  I am still having to use sliding scale insulin twice a day, but less than I had been receiving.  I am sorry you consider your surgery a waste of money!  I think losing 78# is wonderful and is sure to help your joints, your heart, and help with your blood sugars.  You may still have to take pills, but eventuall will be on less meds than you were and have greatly improved your health!  I have lost 85#.  I had pancreatitis 2 weeks post op and that caused my diabetes to spiral out of control.  I am still hopeful, but I am happy to be off the insulin pump and on oral medications.  Good luck to you and I hope you can at least be happy about your weight loss and other health improvements due to that such as being better able to move around, feel better, be more active.