Re: does the sleeve conquer the diabetes and other illnesses?
Whatever you decide to do, the important thing to do is to lose the weight that is killing you. The sleeve helps you to control your portion sizes and appetite, so you can cut down. If you want less complications, the sleeve is the best way to go.LOL...Bonnie
Re: does the sleeve conquer the diabetes and other illnesses?
I've had diabetes for about 7 years. Before surgery I was up to insulin 4 times a day, 25 units with meals and 90 units before bed. I was also taking metphormin, actos and januvia.
With the preop diet, I had cut way back on insulin as sugar levels were down. Typically wasn't taking it at all with meals anymore. After surgery I came home off the oral meds and instructions on when to take insulin for certain levels, but at almost 4 weeks out now, I haven't needed any since coming home.
I'm getting more confident with it as I'm eating mostly normal foods now and still have not needed any of the meds. Obviously I'm still careful with what I eat, but food is mostly normal and I have had sweets a couple times in there, and no blood sugar issues. The highest I've had at normal check times has been just over 120 and that's only been once. Often it's below 100. Hope that helps.
Re: does the sleeve conquer the diabetes and other illnesses?
Re: does the sleeve conquer the diabetes and other illnesses?
@Ron-that is A W E S O M E !!!!!!!
Re: does the sleeve conquer the diabetes and other illnesses?
Hello! Pre op I was taking 2000mg metformin and 5 mg. glyburide and blood pressure meds. If I ate anything good, or went out to eat my blood sugar would go up to 300 or 400 so I would take some insulin. Three weeks after the sleeve I am taking nothing (have taken no blood sugar meds since surgery) and my sugars are normal and my blood pressure is low/ normal. Praise God!!!
Re: does the sleeve conquer the diabetes and other illnesses?
I also have diabetes (insulin dependant), high blood pressure, sleep apnea and am so thrilled to hear the response of the sleeve on these conditions. It gives me hope. I haven't schdule by procedure yet but am looking forward to it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:)
Re: does the sleeve conquer the diabetes and other illnesses?
reading all these now before I have the surgery makes me feel all the more positive about it. I am diabetic, have hypertension - had two bouts of being extremely hypertensive where I was almost hospitalised. Last bout two weeks ago, still going through tests etc. Makes me feel very nervous, scared about what may or may not happen. I am hoping to have this done in January next year, or March at latest.
I would love to have my blood pressure under control and be able to do all activities that I do without worrying, feeling short of breath.
Thanks everyone for your support.
Re: does the sleeve conquer the diabetes and other illnesses?
I wish you luck with whatever type of surgery you chose, I had the same question and finally after a long journey of hoops and walls I have a surgery date of Dec 1!!
Cheers
Re: does the sleeve conquer the diabetes and other illnesses?
I am having the sleeve on 12/2/11. I had surgery the end of Jan and my sugar went thru teh roof. I went from A1C of 4.7 to 11 in less than a year. I am hoping that this surgery will bring it back to normal. Can people tell me about the eating. I read that you are basically on soft food for the rest of your life. Is this correct? I gained about 25 lbs since surgery and would like to lose it. At one time I weighed 298 and now I am 183. Can anyone tell me about the diet? Thanks
Re: does the sleeve conquer the diabetes and other illnesses?
Typically you'll be on 2 weeks prior to surgery of either liquid or partial liquid diet. In my case, I was able to have a small supper. Then full liquids for 2 weeks after. For 3 to around 6 weeks out, it goes to soft/pureed foods. I ended up moving off pureed at about 5 weeks or so. After that, it was back to normal foods, just way smaller amounts.
At 4 months out, my A1C is a lot better, but still a elevated. The Dr wanted me back on metphormin for now, but feels that will go away. This is compared to 3 oral meds and insulin 4 times a day before the surgery.
Re: does the sleeve conquer the diabetes and other illnesses?
I am no expert since I was just sleeved on 11/2...but no you are not onsoft food the rest of your life. You start off on clear liquids, full liquids, then soft food then introduce regular food gradually. I was an insulin pump dependent diabetic prior to my surgery...I am now down to less than 5 units per day. It is great and it has only been two weeks to day. Please ask your surgeon if they have nutrician classes. Mine did and it has cleared up a lot of misconceptions for me. Please any of you tenured sleevers correct me if I have mispoken.
Best of luck to you Merrowl...please keep me posted. You will be in my prayers.
Re: does the sleeve conquer the diabetes and other illnesses?
Chele,
Thanks for your reply. I just could not see being on a liquid or blended diet for the rest of my life. At 60 I am pretty set in my ways and have to cook for my husband (66). He does no eat unless I eat and I don't want to make him suffer. I went to a diabetic nutri. class for a month and all they said was count carbs. I dropped to 148 aftyer surgery in Jan and now am up to 183. I do not want to get down that low again. I am happy at 165. Hope I can get back down in my sugar count. I use to be 90-120 daily. After surgery I am 290-400 daily. Not good. I am allergic to insulin so I have to get it under cntrol or I am in real trouble. Thans for the encouraging words. Good luck in your recovery. Again Thanks.
Re: does the sleeve conquer the diabetes and other illnesses?
The highest mine has been since surgery is 131 that is unheard of for me. I am 61 and feel like I have a new lease on life!!!
Re: does the sleeve conquer the diabetes and other illnesses?
That is my main thing also for this surgery is the horrid diebeties. I take 2000mg of metformin and take januvia and glipizide. also do sliding scale insulin. Here is a question for the ones that has been through this process. I have alot of let pain due to neuropathy. Once I loose some weight does that pain ease up. Like right now my feet feel as thou they are on fire. If that eases up any i will jump for joy. Only relief I had was cymbalta but unfortunalty it shot my bp up. Anyways. So glad you guys are doing so great. Gives me hope. Good luck and God bless.
Re: does the sleeve conquer the diabetes and other illnesses?
Tonya...You will definitely improve your health and continue to get your sugar down once you lose weight from the surgery. I don't know how much it will improve or how much medicine you will have to take. I just know that mine has improved a lot. I had a diabetic ulcer on my foot before that took forever to heal, and it really scared me. The pain in my feet has gone away, and I no longer take medicine to control my sugar. It's well worth looking in to, and I have never regretted getting the sleeve surgery.Lol...Bonnie