Question:
Did any diabetics have trouble healing after surgery?

I have delayed healing from cuts and infections due to diabetes and high blood sugar. Anyone have trouble healing following surgery? (43 days to go til surgery.)    — cynthiaellis (posted on December 10, 2000)

December 10, 2000
Hi, I always had trouble with skin infections from my diabetes. I had to continue insulin while in the hospital but my readings became normal so quickly that at my first postop visit, I was taken completely off all diabetes meds, insulin and oral. I had no trouble healing at all and I have not had any more skin infections at all. (That is not necessarily a good thing as skin infections make reconstructive surgery (panniculectomy)easier to obtain). Be sure to let your doctor know of your concerns.
   — Connie G.

December 10, 2000
Hi Cynthia, I had diabetes when I had my Open RNY. I was taking 2 Glucofage, and 500Units of insulin a day. I had other complications right after surgery. I had a sack of fluid and blood in my abdomen. It came out at my incision. When he took out the staples, It preceded to stretch open. It became 8"x4" opened. It took 5 months to heal. I haven't taken any insulin or pills for diabetes since surgery. I don't even do finger sticks any longer. My last one was for Thanksgiving and it was 86. I had my RNY 4-17-00 at 208#, and dying from Chronic Pancreatitis. I'm now cured from the pancreatitis,diabetes,high cholesteral,high triglycerides, and high blood pressure. I'm still healing, but from the hernia repair and tummy tuck I had on 10-23-00. I now weigh 130#. and love being healthy. Good Luck, and God Bless You --
   — CohenHeart