I have an appt. on Monday 6/25,with my new endo ARNP!!!
Surgery date is 7/12!
Switched to sleeve...feeling good about the decision.
Thanks for your interest. How are you doing?
Denise

I'm sorry that you haven't gotten a response yet on this.  I visit this board all the time and respond and post a fair amount.  But, I am a RNY person and a Type 1.5 diabetic, so although the surgery has been very successful for me, I knew that I would not get off of insulin.  I don't know anyone who has had the sleeve, but you might try to bounce to the sleeve board and see what people can offer you?

 Hi Thank you for your reply.
I am a type 2 diabetic, I've been diagnosed with it for about 10 years now.  I had always been diet controlled until the beginning of the year when my A1C soared to 8.9 and I gained weight.  Then I was put on medication and like I mentioned in my original post the meds make me sick.  I have since lost about 18 lbs and my A1C has dropped to 6.5.  However I am terrified of having to go back on meds. as I have to pretty much stop my life because I am vomiting, dizzy and just in a bad mood all the time I was on meds.  I weigh 183. as of this morning..ugh!!  and I am 5' tall.

I have been reading a lot and more importantly I have spoke to a woman who had the procedure done she has been very helpful as well.  

I have made my mind and I think I am ready to make the changes.  I have been following a diet plan very similar to the pre-op one I was given at the WLS meetings.  

I have been to the Overwiew,orientation,physical, nutritional and some other class I forget what it's called.  I have my phyc. evaluation tomorrow Thursday and I see the surgeon in July.

I am glad to hear that is procedure is working for you.

 From what I've read it's been positive for people with diabetes.  I know it's a very hard change but I rather change my eating habits than to lose time with my family because I am on medication and it makes me sick.  I am ready!!

Thanks again for your response,
G.

Congrats on your decision to seek more information. 

The answer to your question really is - it depends.  If you are a Type 2 diabetic and have been diagnosed for under about 10-15 years, the chances are very good that your blood sugars will normalize after the surgery.

If you are Type 2 and you've been diabetic for longer than 10-15 years, you will likely reduce your medicines, but may not see your diabetes go away.

If you are Type 1 or Type 1.5, you will likely see some reductions in your medicines but you will not stop using insulin now or ever, because your pancreas does not make enough to cover your needs.

So, a lot depends on what type you have, how long you've had it, and how well/ir your pancreas still makes insulin. 

As to your second point about your friend's experience, I can only tell you that having surgery is a very PERSONAL and INDIVIDUAL decision that each person needs to consider.  I believe that is why the pre-surgical process is fairly rigorous and requires a significant time commitment - to learn, to consider, to evaluate whether this is for you.  Some people think that surgery is the EASY way to control your weight - and I think anyone here who has had WLS will tell you that it is FAR from easy.  It requires time, willingness to change yourself and a lifelong commitment to addressing any behaviors and attitudes that get in your way.  Perhaps your friend wasn't fully prepared for that? 

I'd suggest you learn more about all of this by doing what you are doing - reading posts and message boards.  Have you been to an information session about WLS yet?  If not, that is also a very good place to start.  Learn as much as you can.  Listen to people who have had it.  Read about it.  Become an expert.  Then, you will know if you are ready and willing to do what is needed to be successful.

As for me, I thought about WLS for 9 years before have RNY in September 2011.  I am a Type 1.5 diabetic for almost 26 years and did it to address my long-term health.  I have been able to reduce some of my insulin, get off of some oral medications, and I do believe I am moving in the right direction to lengthen and strengthen my health.  This is not about numbers of a scale for me - it's about numbers on my glucometer.  Some days they are much improved; other days they are not.  But, I am 100% glad that I had the surgery, I have lost about 70 pounds so far, and realize that it's an every day thing.  I was, and am, prepared for the work that it takes to be successful at this.

Please post additional questions, thoughts, etc.  Remember that, in the end, this is a decision that is for and about YOU - and your health.  

Good luck!

Glad I could encourage you.

I despised neurontin...actually affected my memory permenantly and made me gain 50 lbs in less than 6 months. I came off that evil drug (to me) in 2002 and haven't looked back. Topamax helped me lose that excess weight, along with counting carbs.

I WAS on an insulin pump for my diabetes (type 2) and came off it about 2 weeks after surgery...came off the metformin about 2 months after surgery.

I had a DS...the sleeve was not an alternative to me and I did not want to spend my life dieting after the first two years. I'd already spend 45 years on a diet trying to lose weight...

Liz