Still off Insulin!

One month off Insulin, 10 months post vsg, 84 pounds and 15 tablets lost.  Life is good 

That is so awesome Paul! 

Thanks.  It was really hard maintaining motivation over the 10 months wait, but as the weight came off then the insulin requirements went down.  It's like a huge release of tension, my doctor was very resistant to my coming off any medication 'too early' so I've had to keep pushing.  He doesn't believe in the good effects of surgery or the Atkins diet so I keep rubbing his nose in the results to try to challenge his prejudices...LOL.  I presume that your need for insulin has decreased, but will never go down to zero?  I went in for the RnY, but because of my anatomy there was too much risk of a leak, hence the vsg.  The RnY would almost certainly have meant coming off insulin almost immediatly, but with more side effects than the vsg. 

 Do you know why the rny is the surgery with most effectuve for insulin .. I am on insulin now and pre op diet to have surgery i just wondered how soon i might be off insulin and why this surgery effects it most ..

I don't believe that the medics know quite why the rny is the most effective for diabetes.  I went in for the rny, but my anatomy made the vsg the more viable option.  I was disappointed initially, but am really glad now as I don't have the side effects of the rny and only take a daily multivitamin.  At one point I was on 480 units of insulin and 18 tablets, been off insulin 2 months and now on 3 tablets.  As further weight comes off I should be able to reduce the tablets further.  Best of luck!

Hi Paul5678,
I had the biliopancreatic duodenal switch surgery and I had my surgery Dec. 6, 2010 and I am still not taking any diabetic medicine.  Before surgery I took 100 units in the morning and 45 units at night.  And now my readings have been like between 71-113.   Which is awesome they tell me.   I've lost almost 130 some pounds.   And yes Life is good
tammysimpson39

Great news!  I'm now coming up to 6 months off insulin.  My weight loss has stalled for the last 2 months at 85 pounds, but it will start coming off again, as I'm still losing inches.  The sun is shining and we're going to walk through a bluebell wood to a medieval castle this morning.

I.m glad you're happy with your surgery.  They all have their plus points, and a negative side.  I'm glad I don't malabsorb and don't take supplements although waiting to come off insulin was frustrating!