diabetes and surgery

My surgeon says that there is a bigger success 'story' for diabetics who have had the RnY vs the LapBand. Anyone here have any input for or against this? I am diabetic and on insulin which contols it pretty good.

Hi Lisa. I had WLS specifically to help my diabetes. My endocrinologist recommended I have gastric bypass because I was extremely insulin-resistant, on Humulin N and Humulog totaling 345 U a day without a lot of success with A1Cs up to 9.5. Also tried adding metformin to increase insulin sensitivity but no success. My surgeon also recommended RNY vs lap band for me due to my diabetes. In the literature some diabetics have a positive response even before they've lost a substantial amount of weight with the RNY. The bypass component of the RNY affects other GI hormones affecting glucose and insulin metabolism that the lap band procedure doesn't do since it is only restricting the amount of food you eat. For me, I was discharged on Humulin N 40 U twice a day and sliding scale Humulog with meals. Initially I had to bump it up to 44 U twice a day for a few weeks until I started eating real food and got off the full liquid phase post-op. My 3 month post op A1C was 5.5%!! In 5 months I've lost 86 lbs and my insulin dose is now 18 U twice a day and I almost never need Humulog with meals. I'll have my 6 mo A1C in early May. I know it will be a good number again. Check with your surgeon. He should be able to tell you which procedure will be best for you. Good luck. Kathy

Hi Kathy, Just got thru reading your profile. Looks like you did really great even though you didn't always feel like it! I am so proud of you! Keep up the good work. How is the depression, now? My last A1C ws 8.? So I began taking my insulin seriously and I keep my sugars around 130. I have to go in for another A1C next week. I am on 70/30 novolog mix 55 U 2x daily and novolog 10 U at dinner. But a lot of times I slide it around, especially if I am under 100 I won't take it or maybe just 20 U if I am going to be eating breakfast... My surgeon is pushing the RnY for me. I will probably go that route, because she is a surgeon and this is her specialty so she should know what she is talking about, but it is a scarier step than the Band. Thanks for your reply. Blessings, Lisa

Hi Lisa, no depression. I had some remorse in the early weeks (not unusual, I've heard) probably due to false expectations that the diabetes would be improved immediately. But, like I said, when I got off liquids and started eating, my glucose normalized quickly. And having PATIENCE when postop is something all my preop consults neglected to mention, . Good luck in making your decision. Kathy

98+% of Type II diabetics who have the DS (duodenal switch) form of WLS experience a 100% remission of symptoms, often within days after surgery. The intestinal portion of the DS is so very effective in treating diabetes that surgeons in Europe have been doing it on non-obese patients with out-of-control diabetes for over ten years now.

I am just starting to research about surgery. From what I have read I think I might qualify only for certain type of surgery (band).........because I am ONLY about 75 pounds or so overweight........... Is that true? Thanks. Kathy Paragon, Indiana

Hello all! I am also insulin resistent...on Metformin 1000 mg 2 x day. My ins will not cover wls due to written exclusion.....and I can only afford to pay for lap band out of pocket. Anyone with any good results w/lap band and diabetes? Thanks.