Question:
Anyone take Byetta injections post op?

Long shot, I know. I am 4 years post op and diabetic. I am on oral meds and have had my numbers slowly creeping back up. Limited exercise due to a bad knee. Byetta is a new injection for diabetics that is also showing promise in aiding weight loss. My husband takes it and was able to control his diabetis without any level spikes even over night. He experiences side effects of nausea when he over eats or eats greasy or high carb foods. Would greatly appreciate hearing from anyone who may be taking it post op. Wondering if the side effects are any different for someone who has had WLS. I'm going to the doc on Friday and I really want to ask him if I can try this.    — SARose61 (posted on April 12, 2006)

April 12, 2006
Rosemary, hi how long are you a diabetic and did you have diabetic before your surgery. the reason I asked is because I am or was diabetic before surgery and now I am 5 months post op and have no diabetic now well every time I check my blood is normal. Is this something I have to look forward too, will I get diabetes again post op or in the long run. So when you go to the Dr. aske him if this drug can give us side effect do to our liver working extra hard now.
   — evienicole

April 12, 2006
Ah Evelyn...no fair you are asking me to bare my soul and my failings to you here...lol. OK...I have been a type 2 diabetic since 31 (I am now 44). In 2000, I had a pneumonia and my blood sugars spiraled and I ended up on insulin and 6 months later I had added 75 lbs to my already 300 lb body. I had WLS in 2002 and I was off insulin immediately, down to only taking 1 pill (prandin)by 4 months post op and diet controlled by 6 months post op. I had a proximal RNY and lost 120 lbs by 8 months. Not a lb since then. I am still obese at my now 265 lbs (regained about 15 from my lowest). At about 2 years post op because I had returned to some of my old eating habits, snacking on carbs mainly, my blood sugars started to rise slowly. I am still only on oral meds. but I have morning highs, one reason I want to try byetta. Will your diabetes return. My answer would be once a diabetic always a diabetic. You can never totally lose sight of the disease. Ift is great that you have achieved diet controlled normal sugar levels. The key is to maintain that (forever) through proper diet and exercise. This surgery does help, it probably saved me from an early grave. I have issues with chronic snacking that I have to get under control. I also have a pretty nasty knee problem that keeps me from really exercising at the level I would like to. Hope this answer helps.
   — SARose61

April 12, 2006
Byetta is usually used as adjunctive therapy with other oral diabetic meds. Essentially, it helps the insulin get into the cells. There are some who are touting it as a new weight loss drug, and diabetics on Byetta are seeing some weight loss, and that's where that is coming from. I'm not sure Byetta will make it as a "weight loss drug" for people who don't have diabetes, but it might work on people with undiagnosed insulin resistance. Since it is not absorbed through the stomach or gut, it would be the same as a non-WLS person with diabetes taking it.
   — koogy

April 13, 2006
I was a type 2 diabetic for at least 7 years before my surgery I am free of diabetes since my surgery. I get tested every time and my blood sugar average at 65 and I am considered non diabetic. I am greatful for the surgery. How come you still diabetic? do you still have some weight to loose? Did you dr said you still need to take your diabetic medications? The day of my surgery the surgeon stopped all diabetic shots and medications and since that day I have not touched any of it. Danil
   — Dani96