Question:
Diabetes type 2: Anyone NOT 'cured' after WLS???

Has anyone had WLS and NOT had their diabetes completely resolved?? If you weren't 'cured' do you feel your situation is better, worse, same ?? Or has anyone had WLS, had their diabetes 'cured' only to have it return later???    — Shelly S. (posted on July 10, 2003)

July 10, 2003
Hi, I am 3 months out and have had tremendous success in getting my Type II diabetes under control. However, I am not sure in my case that it will ever be cured. My surgeon said that since I have been morbidly obese over 20 years and have had diabetes the majority of that time I may never be completely off meds/insulin. I was on oral meds prior to surgery, but he had be go on insulin. On the other hand, I have seen where many folks who were younger, been morbidly obese and/or diabetic a shorter time go off all meds and do great. Best wishes, Pam
   — Pam B.

July 11, 2003
It sure cured mine, I had it for 3 years with med's prior to WLS surgery and I was off of med's w/in 2 weeks. I honestly know of NO one that had type 2 diabetes and hasn't had it disappear after WLS :) Lisa
   — Lisa F.

July 11, 2003
I am 18 weeks post op and have lost 60lbs. My diabetes is not cured, but better. My insulin requirements have decreased and I no longer tale glucophage because of sever nausea. My endocronologist said I nay never be cured but I am deinfitey better and requre less meds. Good luck! Lisa
   — Elisa W.

July 11, 2003
I would just like to add that you are never actually "cured." I realize that's just a word, but I wouldn't want anyone to think that there is a cure. What actually happens, as one poster said, you become "diet controlled." I am 5 1/2 months post-op and a Type II diabetic. I had it for about 4 years prior to my surgery and never needed any more meds 3 days after my surgery. I do feel, however, that if I were to eat a lot of carbs and sugar, it might just spike my blood sugar. I don't really know and never plan to test that theory. I stayed away from carbs and sugar pre-op, so why start now!!
   — Kathy S.

July 11, 2003
I am 19 months post-op and was a brittle diabetic prior to surgery. Now, I do not have to take insulin or any pills. I will always be "diabetic" even though my Hemoglobin A1C is 5.7... my doc just doesn't worry about me so much anymore! LOL! I am just really careful what my sugar intake is and can tell if I eat something that is too high in sugar, even without testing! :~) There is no "cure" for diabetes... just control! :~)
   — Sharon M. B.

July 12, 2003
I have been type 2 diabetic since august of 1997. May 15, 2003, was the date of my surgery, like many people i was hoping that my diabetes would have been "cured" but it was not. I was greatly disappointed. I was taking acetos 30mg once a day, glucophage 1000 mg 2 times a day and 100 units total of insulin. After surgery my doc had me taking 32 units of Lantus (insulin) only. no orals. I am greatful for that but I was really hoping for no medications at all. I got half of a rainbow. I have lost 40 pounds so far and my primary doc informs me if I lost 20 % of my orginial body weight the diabetes should go away. i am gradually decreasing my insulin intake as I lose weight. As of today I am on 28 units of insulin. Think positive, you could have uncontrolled diabetes still. :)
   — Martha L.