Question:
Did bariatric surgery improve or cure your diabetes?

If so, please share your experience with people researching the benefits of bariatric surgery. How much insulin were you taking before and after surgery?    — ericklein (posted on February 5, 2000)

February 5, 2000
I am 5 months post-op (08/18/99). I was 340 pre-op, I am now down to 241 pounds. I was diagnosed with Type II diabetes 3 years ago, my blood sugars were high, and they were affecting my kidneys. I was on Metformin and Glipizide (oral medications). In November, my doctor took me off my diabetes meds because I had lost 75 pounds, and my blood sugars were dropping too low. Hope this helps. Krista Cochran [email protected]
   — Krista C.

February 5, 2000
Before surgery I was on an isulin pump and I suffered from severe insulin resistance. I used more and more insulin and suffered from water retention, weight gain , abnormal menstral cycles and stained skin. I last used my pump the morning of surgery. I then used shots 3 times a day for 1 1/2 weeks. To date I am down 45 lbs and I take oral medication. I take Prandin 3 times a day..before a meal..only 1 mg per dose...a very small amount. My sugars range from 87-101...I feel great! The Dr says that with another 30 lbs I should be off the pills completely! I don't agree that diabetes is ever cured..just handled differently. I know many people who are asymptomatic as a result of WLS surgery..esp if they are type 2..which most of us are.
   — Jackie S.

February 6, 2000
I have been a diabetic on insulin for over 15 years. I was taking 50 to 70 units of 70/30 insulin per day and also taking 600 mg of Rezulin. I also took Diazide, Monopril, Lipitor, Ranitidine, Metoclopromide, and Claritin. I had surgery on Dec. 6, 1999. On Dec. 9 I was no longer a diabetic! The doctor took me off ALL medications except Claritin for allergies. I had complete bloodwork done a month ago and everything was PERFECT! My cholesterol was 168, triglycerides normal, blood sugars around 97! Throughout the last 15 years there were many years when my normal blood sugar was 400 while on insulin. Ten years ago I spent 9 days at the Joslin Clinic in Boston (which is Mecca to diabetics) and they tried to get my blood sugar regulated by putting me on 100 units of insulin in 3 shots a day. They never got it down past 200 and they sent me home telling me I was insulin resistant. I saw 3 other endocrinologists over the years and they told me the same thing. Since my lap roux ny I have been set free! I am truly no longer diabetic. For those interested there is a website which helps to explain why the surgery helps diabetics. Go to www.gastricbypass.com and go to the "For Doctors Only" section. Good luck and God bless!
   — Alice L.

February 6, 2000
I have been a diabetic on insulin for over 15 years. I was taking 50 to 70 units of 70/30 insulin per day and also taking 600 mg of Rezulin. I also took Diazide, Monopril, Lipitor, Ranitidine, Metoclopromide, and Claritin. I had surgery on Dec. 6, 1999. On Dec. 9 I was no longer a diabetic! The doctor took me off ALL medications except Claritin for allergies. I had complete bloodwork done a month ago and everything was PERFECT! My cholesterol was 168, triglycerides normal, blood sugars around 97! Throughout the last 15 years there were many years when my normal blood sugar was 400 while on insulin. Ten years ago I spent 9 days at the Joslin Clinic in Boston (which is Mecca to diabetics) and they tried to get my blood sugar regulated by putting me on 100 units of insulin in 3 shots a day. They never got it down past 200 and they sent me home telling me I was insulin resistant. I saw 3 other endocrinologists over the years and they told me the same thing. Since my lap roux ny I have been set free! I am truly no longer diabetic. For those interested there is a website which helps to explain why the surgery helps diabetics. Go to www.gastricbypass.com and go to the "For Doctors Only" section. Good luck and God bless!
   — Alice L.

February 6, 2000
I have been a diabetic on insulin for over 15 years. I was taking 50 to 70 units of 70/30 insulin per day and also taking 600 mg of Rezulin. I also took Diazide, Monopril, Lipitor, Ranitidine, Metoclopromide, and Claritin. I had surgery on Dec. 6, 1999. On Dec. 9 I was no longer a diabetic! The doctor took me off ALL medications except Claritin for allergies. I had complete bloodwork done a month ago and everything was PERFECT! My cholesterol was 168, triglycerides normal, blood sugars around 97! Throughout the last 15 years there were many years when my normal blood sugar was 400 while on insulin. Ten years ago I spent 9 days at the Joslin Clinic in Boston (which is Mecca to diabetics) and they tried to get my blood sugar regulated by putting me on 100 units of insulin in 3 shots a day. They never got it down past 200 and they sent me home telling me I was insulin resistant. I saw 3 other endocrinologists over the years and they told me the same thing. Since my lap roux ny I have been set free! I am truly no longer diabetic. For those interested there is a website which helps to explain why the surgery helps diabetics. Go to www.gastricbypass.com and go to the "For Doctors Only" section. Good luck and God bless!
   — Alice L.

February 7, 2000
I consider myself "cured" although the doctors can not agree on the terminology. I was taking 200 units of insulin per day before surgery and was completly off all of it within 30-4- lbs lost. This took about 7 weeks after surgery. I am almost two years post op, and take nothing.. my last fasting blood sugar taken was 88 with my "three month" test at a perfect 5.4
   — JAN C.

January 18, 2003
I developed diabetes in 1991 and was prescribed pills 3 times a day. Then went from there to insulin twice a day plus rezulin 2 or 3 times a day, and pranidin at each meal. (60 units of 70/30 insulin). Blood sugars 350 and higher every time it was checked. I am now 14 months post-op from gastric bypass and do not have to take anything for diabetes now. I still keep close check on it just to make sure, at least twice a day. I havent had any sign of diabetes for at least 6 months now and have lost a total of 125 lbs. By the way, I am also 58 years old, so, come on all you older generation, if I can do it, you can too.
   — Shirley H.