Question:
Why postpone surgery if hemoglobin A1C is too high?

My blood work came back my hemoglobin was 9.84. Of course too high. So they postponed my surgery. How is this going to hurt my surgery. I am on 10 - 40 mg of steriods everyday so my reading bounce around like a yo yo. I have sever asthma and they have to keep it under control that way. That is why I need the surgery. My PCP said they should do the surgery anyways. Because it isn't going to get any better. If I don't get the surgery in a month he said I would be too sick to get it done. WHat should I do? and can you explain why they won't do the surgery. Thanks, Bonnie    — BonniePTA (posted on April 30, 2004)

April 30, 2004
If your HbA1c is too high, it means your blood sugars are consistantly too high.You are going to really, really watch your diet in order to get that down. If your blood sugar isn't well controlled, you may have problems healing.And yes, being on steriods will have a tendency to make your sugars go up. Either your doctor needs to get you on some medication for this, or you need to really work hard and follow a strict diet.
   — koogy

April 30, 2004
Hi Bonnie, our stats are about the same for pre op, my BMI was 52, and my HbA1c was 9.8 it had been 10 when I had to have steroid injections in my spine. My fasting bs was 160 the day of surgery, and it went fine. I healed very well and I always have. I guess you will have to eliminate most carbs, but the steroids are the biggest culpret. If you could get off them it would go down. I am off all insulin and diabetic meds infact all meds YEAH! Good luck on your journey.
   — wizz46

May 1, 2004
Yes, the steroids will make your sugar harder to control, and your HbA1c shows you have been high over the long term. This, along with the steroids, can cause healing problems and increase the chances of infection. YOU should try and limit carbs and do everything else possible to keep you sugar under control. Your PCP should consider backing down on steroids if s/he feels it's safe, and your WLS may have to "bite the bullet" and agree to operate on somebody who is not 100% perfectly "tuned up." Team approach here. Hopefully, in the long run, your sugar and perhaps the asthma will go away when the weight comes off. Best of luck.
   — DrL