Question:
Does WLS cure Diabetes?
I've heard that WLS can cure Diabetes...Is this true? and, has anyone experienced this? — [Anonymous] (posted on March 1, 2002)
March 1, 2002
If you have type 2 diabetes that is partially brought on by being obese
some people have been able to get off medications and have normal sugar
counts after having wls. This is no guarantee it will cure everyone's, and
if you have juvenile diabetes (like mary tyler moore) then no, it might
help you keep your sugars under control a little better. Your best bet is
to speak to your dr.
— Becky K.
March 1, 2002
According to my surgeon 85% of TYPE 2 diabetics are no longer diabetic
after surgery and the weight loss that goes with it. Of the remaing 15%
many are helped and none are hurt by the loss. I was OFF All diabetic drugs
about a month after surgery. Although I was on pills even insulin diabetics
are helped like this. Now before someone attacks the cured comment in your
question you may carry the diabetic label for life, but if your sugars are
normal all the time who cares? My HC1A dropped from a pre op high of 11 and
12 to 5.8:) Pre op AM sugars were 180 and I was starving... Now they are in
the 80 and low 90s andoff ALL prescription drugs including blood sugar and
blood pressure meds.I feel WONDERFUL, have SO MUCH more energy! My toes
were getting numb, that went away, and according to my eye doctor the
diabetic complications have stopped there too, than god. WLS is approved by
the National insittues of health for type 2 diabetes.
— bob-haller
March 1, 2002
tHE 85% NUMBER IS FOR THE MORBIDLY OBESE. which is everyone qualifying for
surgery. The 15% that arent helped would of likely been diabetic wether
heavy or thin.
— bob-haller
March 1, 2002
Bob, I am going to respectfully disagree with you on this issue once again.
There is NO cure for diabetes. Yes, many people are able to discontinue
diabetes meds after their surgery. However, their bodies have already
proved that they have some trouble processing their sugars (and sugars come
from all carbohydrates, not just starches and unrefined sugars). If you
were to gain back even some of your weight or your eating habits change,
your blood sugars may very well rise. It also may be that even with the
best eating habits, somewhere down the road the symptoms will return. I
would absolutely trust Bob's surgeon to do my surgery. I would also
absolutely trust my endocrinologist's word on a cure for diabetes over that
of even the best surgeon. For more information, go to the American
Diabetes Association's website, www.diabetes.org. Click on Type 2 for
details.
— garw
March 1, 2002
For type 2 adult onset diabetes weight loss has a remarkable effect. Cure?
maybe not but control absolutely. I was on 3 oral hypoglycemics and insulin
with a hgb 1 AC of 9.6, now off all meds with hgb 1 AC of 5. FBS 90. Good
Luck
— Sue V.
March 1, 2002
Well whatever you call it, being off the pills and having NORMAL sugars all
thev time time is WONDERFUL. Call it whatever you wish.... Incdently my PCP
says I am no longer diabetic. Just like most of medicine all doctors dont
agree.
— bob-haller
March 1, 2002
Incidently there are almost NO Type 1s that are MO. Type 1 diabetes
generally prevents people from getting that heavy. Although I had a type 1
MO in my family. She died at 40 years old. But they are VERY rare.
— bob-haller
March 1, 2002
Sue, You are so right. No it's not a cure, but it is good control and
that's very important since all the ugly complications come from high blood
sugars. I'm talking about eye and kidney disease, poor circulation leading
to amputation, etc. It's why I get so hyped about the idea that you are
cured. It's not to rain on anyone's parade. It's so that people who were
taking meds before surgery continue to get their blood sugars checked, so
if you do start to have higher sugars, you can get treated to get back into
good control.
— garw
March 1, 2002
Some can call it a cure if they want... but Gar is correct... it is like a
cure because of the way we are eating post op.... it is soo under
control... I was informed by the doctor that if a WLS person were to ever
go back to eating the way they were post op (like this can ever happen..
lol) then the diabetes will return.... so please get informed.... WLS is
NOT a cure... it just makes the problems disappear nearly completely for
most...and when I say for most.. this is mainly for all those that have the
stomach bypass surgeries.
— Pamela W.
March 1, 2002
Well EVERY POST OP should get regular blood work for the remainder of their
life. So this testing should find anyones blood sugar thats abnormal. So it
can be brought under control. My understanding is that when were MO the
insulin our pancreas puts out is diluted by our size. Loose 100 pounds, and
the same amount of insulin is much more effective. Just as coloring paint.
Put 4 drops of blue in a gallon of white produces a very light blue tint.
Put those same 4 drops in a pint of white and you get a much bluer paint. I
think this discussion mirrors a lot of others. Imagine our surgeons
discussing post op diets. Soft food from post op day 2 NO liquids for 6
weeks, NG tubes, JP drains, leak tests, etc etc. Even our surgeons
disagree, and we mirror their opinions. Whatever its called the improved
blood sugars can save lives.
— bob-haller
March 2, 2002
I have had three different doctors tell me that there is no such thing as a
cure for Type II Diabetes. The weight loss and food restriction controls
our sugar levels and helps us to not need medication in most cases.
However, if we suddenly resumed our eating habits and gained back the
weight, the symptoms would rear their ugly heads once again.
— Julie S.
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