Question:
What effect does WLS have on Type II diabetes?

What are the stats on overcoming Type II diabetes post WLS surgery?    — Shirley S. (posted on July 27, 2001)

July 27, 2001
I don't know what the actual statistical data would show, but I can say that my Type II diabetes "disappeared" the day of surgery. That was 15 months ago, and my blood sugars have remained within normal range since that time. Pre-op, I was taking Diabeta and Glucophage, and maintaining blood sugars between 150-240. There have been many, many posts on this site that support the same experience with other diabetics, both insulin-dependent and non-insulin-dependent. I can't explain all the physiological reasons why this happens following WLS, I'm only extremely grateful!
   — Diana T.

July 28, 2001
Stats? Who knows..... But prior to surgery, I was taking Glucophage 500 mg twice a day, and micronase 5 mg twice a day and had my sugar well under control with that. I took my LAST Glucophage the day PRIOR to surgery and was off of the Micronase within 2 weeks after surgery. My fasting blood sugars have been under 100 since, and my most recent Hemoglobin A1C was 5.7! AND thats with NO meds for 3 months! And a footnote.... I'm also off of BOTH of my blood pressure medicines now and maintain a blood pressure of 120/74. 17 weeks and 61 pounds.... Hooray!
   — Laurie L.

July 29, 2001
i recently had a complete blood workup done & i am borderline diabetic. my dr knows about my upcoming wls & has decided not to treat the diabetes with meds as he feels the diabetes will disapate with weight loss. he did tell me how to adjust my diet in the meantime & i am following his directions as carefully as i can.
   — sheryl titone

July 30, 2001
Not sure what the exact statistics are, but there is plenty of anecdotal evidence to suggest that WLS is as close to a "cure" for Type II diabetes as there is. Prior to surgery I was on 2000 mg. glucophage/day, Avandia 8 mg. every other day, and 3-5 insulin injections/day, and there were still times when my blood glucose levels were over 500 mg/dl!! I am now 7 1/2 months post op, and I am totally off allinsulin, don't have to take Avandia anymore, and my doc and I are looking at cutting back on my Glucophage. My last HbA1C was 7.0, down from 12. My doctor and I are thrilled. Believe me, WLS definitely helps Type II diabetes.
   — Maria H.

July 30, 2001
Stats according to my doctor. 85% are cured meaning normal blood sugars all the time with no medicines. Of the remaining 15% 10 % are helped a LOT and for the unfortunate 5% remaining it doesnt hurt or help. These are the folks who would of been diabetic at a normal weight. Now I am one week post op today and watching my sugars become better daily. They skyrocketed to over 400 in the hospital right after surgery from the trama and now are mostly normal under 150. Pre op I was taking 500 mg of glucophage and 2 amarlys a day. Now I take one amarly if its over 150 which isnt often. WLS is approved nby the NIH as a effective treatment for type 2 diabetes.
   — bob-haller

July 30, 2001
Shirley ... don't know much about the stats, but speaking strictly personally ... I was a Type II diabetic before my VBG in April 2000 -- by November 2000, my Type II diabetes was completely and utterly gone, and my blood sugar was well within normal range. As was my cholesterol, blood pressure, etc., etc. I have a family history of diabetes (my father and paternal grandmother) AND I had severe gestational diabetes when I was pregnant with my first son in 1986 (and hypoglycemic with the second one in 1990 - go figure LOL), so I might not always be so lucky, but for now, all's clear. When I was first diagnosed about five years ago, I went to a diabetes education class, and the nurse/instructor said that even a 10 pound weight loss can have a significant impact on sugar levels in Type II diabetics -- so I can just imagine what my 125-pound loss has done. I'd venture to say that in the vast majority of cases, it either clears up entirely or is significantly improved after surgery, and whether or not it recurs later would probably have a lot to do with family history and/or how much damage was done to the pancreas prior to WLS. Good luck!
   — Cheryl Denomy