Question:
DOES HIGH SUGAR LEVELS BEFORE SURGERY AFFECT HEALING AFTER SURGERY?

My endocrinologist really didn't want me to have surgery because I'm diabetic & my sugar is high.Has anyone experienced any complications after or during surgery because of high sugar levels?    — BLSLIM77 (posted on August 21, 2003)

August 21, 2003
I'm not diabetic (dodged that bullet) but I am a nurse. Diabetics who don't control their sugars can have problems with healing. (I worked with open heart surgery patients for many years. Diabetics had a higher incidence of incisional problems.) That doesn't mean everyone who is a poorly controlled diabetic will have problems, but the risk is greater. (I read your profile - congratulations on doing so well!)
   — koogy

August 21, 2003
Hi Bonnie, My endocrinologist is all for me having surgery when my sugar readings average lower than 150. I have yet to have surgery because having blood sugars higher that 150 usually result in much much slower healing. I, myself, certainly wouldn't risk having WLS now especially being a brittle diabetic. I have learned to have patience and have worked really hard to get my surgars down. Good luck to you. Claire
   — gramof3

August 21, 2003
Me. I developed an absess in my abdominal wall which the doctors swear is d/t my high blood sugars during a minor surgery over a month prior to it. They officially deemed it due to a "wound infection" (which was the surgery). Anyhow, I nearly died. I had harbored a slight case of cellulitis in my left abdomen. It was BARELY even pink and had been seen by my doctor and she dismissed it. Anyhow all the sudden it became a painful lump which I thought was a hernia. It got worse, they didn't know what it was, put me on antibiotics (just in case, ya know). A couple days later I was in the ER severely dehydrated (16 pounds worth!) from unstoppable vomitting, disorientation, in a lot of pain. Luckily I had gone in then because I was deteriorating very rapidly. An emergency surgery & a few days in the hospital and I went home with a hep lock in my hand for another 10 days of antibiotics! Anyhow, you DID ask. BTW, I wanted to let you know I totally understand how hard it is to have uncontrollable blood sugars. I hope you find a way to get control as WLS has excellent chances of resolving your diabetes! (curious, have you tried doing a super low carb, absolutely no sugars diet while working with your doctor to adjust your insulin? That's how I managed to get mine down enough to have surgery June of '02. Its not sustainable long term but if you haven't tried it yet, it may just work well enough short term to make the docs happy.)
   — Shelly S.

August 21, 2003
I had WLS on 1/27/03. Prior to surgery, I'd had Type II diabetes for 7 years, but was really having trouble controlling my sugars. My morning/fasting reading was usually about 200, even on glipizide and avandia. However, I had no complications with the surgery, stopped insulin 5 days after surgery and have readings between 90-105 every morning now w/no meds whatsoever. This surgery is a blessing for Type II diabetics - I hope you can have it.
   — barbdeane