Type 1 Diabetes questions

Hello everyone, My name's Rene and I'm having the VG surgery on April 11th. I'm a Type 1 diabetic and am concerned about low blood sugars and insulin distribution. I asked my surgeon about this and he keeps saying that I won't have low blood sugars and will only need a background insulin. I think he keeps thinking that I am a Type 2 because he says he can't believe that I got this disease when I was almost 30 and am not a type 2. My endroconoligist says that I am definatly aType 1 and gave me the test to prove it. I a few questions for any type 1 diabetics that have had weight loss surgery. I am on an insulin pump and was wondering how did you adjust your insulin after the surgery? Also what do you do if you get a low blood sugar? Someone told me it would take me forever to drink juice. Do glucose tablets work? I just can't quite grip not being on the pum*****t getting low blood surgars. Whenever my insulin pump goes out my blood surgar will shot up to 600t in about 2 hours and I have been done in the 20' also. Any input you can give would be greatly appreciated. Rene

Hi Rene, I am a type 1 diabetic on an insulin pump. I have not had surgery but there are a few things I can tell you. 1. Have your endo on board to follow you before and after surgery. My surgeon admits he is no expert where diabetes is concerned and insisted I have an endo help him and me. They have already consulted and have a plan in place. 2. A nutritionist should be able to help you as mine is helping me. We have a plan (including the Glucose Gel for lows), as well as how to get healthy carbs - grape juice, apple juice, etc. through each phase of foods. She insists that Type 1's will still need a few carbs in order for our diabetes to stay in check. 3. Every surgeon rules are different but I will be put on an insulin drip while in the hospital and will not be allowed to wear my pump. Hope some of this helps. I do not have a date as my insurance only covers the bypass and due to other medical conditions, all my docs feel it better for me to have the lapband. I had my heart set on the lapband but I am waiting to see what the insurance says. Best of luck on your journey! Nancy K

Hi Nancy, Thanks for your input. When I first went in to see my surgeon I went in fully expecting to get the lap band. He told me that surgery would not benefit me because I need more restriction with eating. I wasn't comfortable with the bypass so he told me about this surgery. It's funny how we go in expecting one thing and totally end up with another. I was also told I will not wear my pump in the hospital. I tried glucose gel once and almost threw up but that was a long time ago. Any suggestions help, thank you very much. Rene

Hi Rene, Congratulations on getting a date! I also got Type 1 diabetes later in life, I was 28 yrs old and have been on an insulin pump for about 4 yrs now. I've been Type 1 for 12 yrs now. I had my Open RNY 2 yrs ago (march 15th) and I didn't have any complications with my gastric bypass, but I will say that its tough to keep your blood sugars tight while in the hospital. I didn't wear my pump or give any insulin the day of surgery (but you should follow the advice of your endocronologist) and my blood sugar was around 190, if I can remember correctly. They monitored me for the 4 days I was in, and once I came home I put my pump back on and talked with my endo about my basal rates and was on a very, very small bolus, depending on the stage of the diet. The first 3 wks, you'll hardly need much insulin b/c of your carb intake, but everyone is different, so you'll need to test your blood often. As far as low blood sugars, its probably best to stick with the glucose tabs, as certain juices may have too much sugar and you may get dumping. I've never had the dumping syndrome (wish I would though....great deterent). I've never had any problems with glucose tabs. If I can help answer any questions, please feel free to e-mail me at morris119 @ yahoo . com As I've state before to other Type 1'ers on this board, its good for us to stick together, for the future.....not too many of us out there, however, lately I've been seeing more. (When I started researching 4 yrs ago, I only found a handful on OH.) Now I need to update my profile, sorry!! Best of luck to you!! Wendy 278/188/150

Thanks Wendy for your suggestions. The surgery I'm getting only reduces the size of your stomach and there is no bypassing so there is no dumping. It's nice to be able to talk with other type 1 diabetics because as you said there isn't too many of us out there that understand. I do have a plan with my endroconologist but the last time I was in the hospital(about 5 years ago) they had my blood sugar up to about 500. I have discovered in the time that I have had diaabetes that not a lot of doctors know a lot about Type 1. Do you find this to be true also? Again thanks so much for your response. Rene

Nancy, Great advice, I agree 100%...I had to get an endocronologist to follow my care in the hospital as mine didn't go to my surgeon's hospital. I did have the insulin drip as well as the dextrose, but my sugars did bounce around. Hope you get your surgery date soon, send me an e-mail and let me know how everything is going, its been a long time!! Wendy

Rene, Yes, I find that I can manage my diabetes better in the hospital than the nurses, and drs for that matter. When I had both of my c-sections, I took my blood glucose meter and would tell them what I needed, most of the time it was more insulin. Then the nurses would have to let the dr or endo know, which was very time consuming, then they could adjust my insulin accordingly. Then they would be very, very conservative with the insulin and my sugars would continue to stay high. Its tough because your not moving alot. Truth me told, "we" can handle our diabetes better, and once I was able to re-connect to the insulin pump, everything was back to normal. I have to say, I was fortunate enough to stay in ICU during my RNY due to my sugars dropping under 60 when they wanted to move me to a regular room, and that would prevent it, so in a way, I had a great experience with my RNY due to the one on one care I received in ICU. So its always a good idea to take your meter along so you or a loved one can test and you can relate the information to the nurses/drs. I'm not familiar with the VG surgery, I'll have to look it up. Take care, Wendy 3/15/04 278/188/150

I'm a type 1 for 20 years and on a pump. How have you all lost so much. I'm stuck at 50 lbs almost 1 year out. How many bolusable carbs are you consuming? I'm having difficulty finding info on type 1's and advice and help for the surgery. Seems everyone thinks we are just uninformed type II's. So frustrated that I can't lose any more weight. What have you done to be successful?