Hey groupies, I'm new to this site and super excited to have my RNY but I am scared

I guess I am not your typical Gastric Surgery subject...I am however, a Type 1 AND Type 2 Diabetic with 92% Insulin Resistant with Chronic Heart Disease and a stent and Stage 2 Renal Failure...that's my sad song. I have probably not suffered nearly as much as some of these posts describe, but I guarantee you, I have suffered, just in a different way. I am scheduling the RNY for I think late March/early April...I am hoping that soon anyway. I weighted 227 with shoes and coat at my surgeons appt...I had to gain at least 30 lbs to qualify for insurance purposes. If you are wondering why I have opted to have this procedure, it wasn't to lose weight...it is however to abolish the Type 2 Diabetes. I can in no way keep both forms of diabetes under control and the resistance of insulin is just making my liver fatty and giving me NACH which is Non Alcoholic Cirrhosis of the Liver and the damage is already being done. My Endo told me specifically that Diabetes is killing me literally and he cannot stop the progression. The RNY is our last resort. This sounds drastic and I will admit that it is, but, I want to know that I have done everything humanly possible to continue to live. I have three adorable grandbabies (all 3 boys) that I need to be here to help raise and I cannot continue living life with both forms of Diabetes as the quality of life is quickly diminishing.  I am scared spitless to have this procedure done, and although I am committed to a healthy lifestyle, I still feel scared. I love to walk and will be buying a treadmill soon, love eating healthy and already belong to a gym w a trainer, my goals are set, my mind is set...just have some apprehension. Did any of you feel apprehensive or nervous? My favorite food is any kind of lettuce salad w all the trimmings except carrot and bell peppers or mushrooms, cant do any of those, but will I ever be able to consume salads again? Have any of you lost weight in your breasts (don't laugh, I don't have much to begin with). Can you still eat pinto or Great Northern beans? How much money-wise are your spending a month on supplements? Sorry for all the questions, just haven't had enough education yet. Thanks everyone.

 

Lori S

Welcome!

Good news, I had type 2 diabetes and at the time of my surgery my A1C was at 8.5.  I had it drawn last week and after no medication for 6 months it's down to a whopping 4.7.  

I hope that you get the results that you desire.  This was my first surgery at age 42 and I was pretty scared, but I weighed 291lbs at my initial consult, so I was really tired of being obese and tired.  Surgery went well, I had very little pain and no complications to speak of.  I'm down 106lbs and more than halfway to my goal and I'm only 6.5 months post op.  

Supplements don't have to be expensive.  Initially you will probably need special chewables, but it doesn't take long to get to the place where you can swallow pills.  I probably spend about $30 a month total on vitamins.  

I had rather larges boobs my whole life.  I was squeezing into a 44E when I had surgery, and honestly that was probably a little small for me.  I am now in a 38DDD, and I'm terrified to lose my boobs too.  I plan on having plastic surgery in a few years, so if they get too small I'll just get a boob job at the same time. lol

I love beans.  They are pretty starchy and have carbs, but they can surely be mixed into your meal plan.  I love bean with ham soup, and will eat it occasionally.  I eat salad regularly, but you have to be careful with the dressing.  I like Skinny Girl Sugar Free/Fat Free dressing with my salad.  

Stick around and get to know us, you'll be glad you did!

Hey, Deanna, Thanks for the reply. My A1c was 24.1 about 3 yrs ago and it is gradually coming down. I tested a month ago and it was 10.1. lowest its ever been. I was soooo freaking excited...but, hey, I get happy if I hit 2 green lights in the city in one day. Since I am both Type 1 & 2, I will probably always have to have insulin, but, right now I wear a pump, take 164 units a day not including meal boluses, I also take Victoza and I take 1000mg Metformin...chances are I'll b on some form of insulin...I would love to wake up one morning without an infusion set in my stomach or arm. I have had DKA twice and both times begged them to let me die because it is soooo awful. I am really looking forward to hanging around this site. I love to talk with others that understand me. Thanks so much.

 

WOW!!! Okay girlfriend!!! DAMN!! Okay!! Lets start at the end and work our way back. 1. I spend about 30-35 a month total on all of my supplements. 2.yes, beans are okay to eat especially early on in the 2nd and 3rd stages. 3. I have lost zero weight in my breasts. They are huge. I am a man. 4.I have salads sometimes, but after several months, dense proteins are eaten first, then what space remains can be used to eat veggies. 5.We all were nervous. Its very natural to be apprehensive about things we've yet to do. You'll be fine.

I just wanted you to know I think its great that you're trying to be there for the Grandsons. It is incredible what you're already going through. I really wish you the best on this journey.

Thanks Gary...I refuse to allow myself to be discouraged from having this procedure. I am really trying to keep upbeat and know that I am doing this for my life...I'm just not ready to die and I doubt that the good Lord is ready for me anyway...not yet. My grandsons need me. I don't know anyone else that will literally get out and play in the mud with them and show them how to respect animals and teach them to have respect for our veterans that have served our country. I love being a grandma. I just wanna be a healthy grandma! Thanks for your kindness.

 

Remission from type II is not guaranteed.  There are many factors to this - how long, how bad, genetics.  With the history you have shared I suspect your odds are not great ... sorry!

I am type II (under control with Metformin, diet and exercise) at a normal weight and 11.5 years out from surgery and there are some on here who never went into remission.

The DS is the premier surgery for remission from diabetes.  Research research research

Hiya Kim, Thanks for the info. Trust me, I have done the research. Our first avenue was DS, but, my insurance will not cover it, so we go to the RNY. The surgeon said that DS is a very drastic surgery and I do not have a BMI base good enough to support such a drastic surgery. I am going to be on the complications watchlist the way it is. I am just going to trust his judgement and do what he tells me to do. He thinks the prognosis is pretty good and that I can attain the weight that I want to be at and have the Type 1 be my main worry. Right now, I cannot get either under control bec of having both and then the high percentage of resistance. Just gonna do my best. Thanks

I did have some apprehension concerning surgery and the changes it would force me to make.

I had Type 2 diabetes for probably nine or ten years before surgery and have a very strong family history of the disease (in family members that were not fat). I was in remission for about a year and a half and then came out of remission. At my last blood check, my diabetes is really borderline. I am back on Metformin.

Since surgery I don't enjoy meat very much, so I eat beans frequently as a protein source.

Monday was my 4 year surgery anniversary and I have zero regrets.

The studies I've read say the tipping point is around 7 years. If you were Type 2 for longer than 7 years, you may not go into remission at all, or not for long if you do. There are lots of other variables too, of course

Lol Grim, I am a study in itself. lol. My dr will probably conclude that I am a problem child...my Family Practitioner says I am. Oh well. I do have alot of medical issues and I am positive there are many that will not be helped by this procedure, but I have got to try. I will be 50 yrs old by the time I have the procedure...My dad passed at 57 from cardiac failure, my mom is 73 but in very bad shape...dialysis, 2 open hearts, diabetic, 4x cancer...shes not been healthy for probably 20 yrs or so. I want to live as long as possible, but I want a good quality of life too. I dont want to hit 60 and not be able to get out of bed or walk up a flight of stairs. Heck, I wanna go out and play touch football with my oldest grandson. I want to go roller skating with my middle grandson and my youngest grandson will probably have me jumping out of a plane or cliff jumping...I gotta try to fix what I can now before I cant. If this procedure will help my body to stop the progression of the liver damage by reducing the amount of insulin that is stored, and help me keep my blood sugars under tight control, I figure it's worth a shot. This forum is a great place to get great advice..Thank you for your kindness.