Question:
TYPE II DIABETES AFTER WLS

Hello All, I had Gastric By-pass surgery 10/17/8 and so far im down 38 lbs yippi! before surgery my blood surgar was in the high 200's I was on pills and insulin, after surgery my surgern said ok to stop taking my meds, but my surgar level is still in the low 200's? I asked him about it and he said don't worry and that the more weight I lose the better my sugar level will be? I thought that after WLS my diabetes would get better or go away? is what my doc said true?    — FLUFFYVIC (posted on December 3, 2008)

December 3, 2008
you probably need to see your family doctor, try to get an early appt. and fast before you go, and let him check it at the office, he may tell you, you need to keep taking the meds. Diabetes is something you don't want to mess with, my uncle has no legs right now, as a result of diabetes!!
   — Lisa Koch

December 3, 2008
Vic, I to had diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholestorel, and sleep apnea. My surgery was 10/31/2006 and to date I have lost 257 lbs. I was taken off my meds on my 1 month check up. I feel great. I no longer have the diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholestorel or the sleep apnea. It gets better with time. Good luck and keep up the good work. Linda
   — sparkle8062

December 3, 2008
I agree with both the answers you received so far, Vic. I have had the surgery many years ago but no meds just strict dietary monitoring and exercise when you are up to it. Even just a short walk helps. You are only 6 or 7 weeks post op give your body time to adjust. vinnigirl
   — vinnigirl

December 3, 2008
I understand you wanting to control your blood sugar and commend you for monitoring yourself so closely. It tells me that you are putting yourself and your health number one. I believe the reason he doesn't want you to take insulin even though the numbers are still high is because of your restricted intake and the fear it would go too low. My sister-in-law is going through the same thing after her RNY 2 weeks ago. I believe what your doctor says is true... the more weight you lose, the lower your blood glucose numbers should get. Remember though, there are no absolute rules about these things after WLS, not every single person will be completely cured of all of obesity's co-morbids- most are... I'm sure you knew that going in once you did the research. WLS is not a quick fix either, it takes some time. I know you're excited and want it all now, just try to be patient. Hopefully, in time your numbers will come down slowly as you lose the weight. Congratulations on your WLS and your weight loss. It should just keep getting better. Welcome to the loser's bench. Dawn Vickers, RN, BLC, CLC
   — DawnVic

December 3, 2008
As long as your sugars are fairly low with no pills or insulin, that's a great sign that they are normalizing on their own...as did mine! Mine took only 3 days! It was truly miraculous for me...Others take a little longer but the cure rate is really really high! Like most things though, there are a few that do not get cured completely...Yours is looking quite promising! Keep an eye on your sugars and if it doesn't continue to go down...go in the docs...I have not had a high sugar in 5 years next month! I think your doc is correct too, but stay on top of things, just in case! Always be your own health care advocate! Docs do make mistakes and our bodies have many mysteries that remain unsolved even to doctors! So...being cautious is good, but give it a little time to resolve itself too! Congrats! You are doing great!
   — .Anita R.

December 3, 2008
200 Blood sugar is not normal that is to high.You should be on meds to bring in with in normal ranges.I was on 94 units of insulin before surgery and 40 units after. Then we watched The blood sugar as it droped with the weight loss we reduced the insulin.My Endocrinologist wanted to have reading upon rising and before each of the three meals and at bed time.
   — stanwalker

December 3, 2008
I AGREE 100% with everyone above. Somethng you may not be aware of, is some post op WLS patients, have been able to stop all pre op diabetes meds, then as a few years pass, and for whatever reason, slowly over time, their eating starts to go back to what it was before surgery, maybe not the same amount, but not all the wls rules are as rigid for them ,slowly the diabetes rears its ugly head, and many have to start taking their meds again. Just really watch your choices the farther out you become, so you don't have to be re-medicated. good luck cindi -230#
   — DollyDoodles

December 3, 2008
Hello, Congrats on your surgery, my advice is to see your family DR. this advice was given to me from my surgeon, the day he released me from the hospital. He took me off insulin and told me to see my family dr. I had surgery 10/29/2008 to this date I still take the pill, my diabetes are in really good shape, I am down 149 lbs, but I do still take the pill.... Not everyone that have the surgery are cured of diabetes, but it is still worth it.
   — dapoohster38

December 3, 2008
Hi I had the surgery on Oct. 27. I was very concerned because my blood sugars were also up in the 200 range. My nutritionist told me not to worry that this is normal and that my liver is getting rid of all the fat and junk that I have put into my body over the years therefore making my blood sugar spike. I check my blood sugars three times a day and sometimes they are still running a little high but are slowly dropping (now they are in 160-170 range) give it some more time, monitor yourself carefully and keep a log book, and don't hesitate to call your surgical team if you have concerns or questions...after all isn't that what we have paid them for?
   — Pittysmama

December 4, 2008
Vic, go to your PCP. You need to be back on meds for the diabetes. It's fairly common for diabetes to reverse as a result of WLS and weight loss but you're not there just yet. I also was taken off all my 'scrips when I had Lap Band surgery but later had to go back on a 'scrip for hypertension, at a much lower dosage and with a warning it would likely need to be adjusted again and a positive affirmation that I probably would be off it entirely within six months. Everything in due time, enjoy your journey, be diligent and have faith. Lisa
   — [Deactivated Member]

December 4, 2008
Not everyone gets off of insulin immediately after surgery. I had my surgery in February and have lost 96 pounds and only recently jave I been taken off insulin. I worked with an endocrinologist(sp)who closely monitored my blood sugar and only when he could tell I was starting to get low did he take me off totally. Before I had the surgery I was taking 60 units of Lantus every night. I got down to 15 units a night before I started having some low blood sugar readings. It's very important to work closely with a specialist on diabetic issues as diabetes is nothing to mess with. Please see a specialist to help you with this.
   — SLittle1

December 7, 2008
I to have Diabetes, I was taking both pills and insulin. My surgery was three months ago. After I got out of the hospital, they took me off the pills. I go to a weight loss clinic and they have been slowly weaning my insulin down and down. Once a week I can decrease my insulin by 2 units if my sugars are down in the 80-90's for all readings. I am still on insulin, but on 1/2 of what I was on before the surgery. I doctor told me it is a slow process before I am off my insulin, but she said it will happen probably within the next three months. I have lost 53 lbs. so far. Consult with your doctor, each doctor has there own way of doing things, regarding tapering down insulin. Sugars in the 200's is too high. Stress of the surgery can cause your blood sugars to elevated for awhile. Carol
   — ckochajda

Click Here to Return