Should I go through with it?

[Sarah 0]

Hello All!

I'm not much of a poster (at all, really) but I have been reading here and OH every day for a few weeks now. I love all the information I've gathered from you guys!

I'm 5'9" and 230ish pounds. I'm juuuuust under 35 BMI. (My surgeon said they'll round up- haha)

I'm also Type 1 Diabetic for 6 years now. I was diagnosed later than most Type 1s, at 20.

Here's my deal. Should I go through with the surgery? Recently I had bloodwork drawn and my cholesterol and triglycerides are enviable by even a fit trim person. (They were higher before, and I sort of half-assed tried to bring them down)

I've been dieting and exercising forever on and off and I struggle losing any weight at all because I have to use insulin. It peels off sooooooo slowwwwwwwwllly (.25 a week or every 2) and of course instantly comes back as soon as I stray even just a single meal. I've been overweight my whole life.

I know surgery is a personal choice. But I'm struggling now with second thoughts for some reason. I may not die of being fat (at least not my heart haha) but my diabetes is really really poorly controlled. I know that having a tiny stomach pouch would help tremendously and help lower my a1c to an acceptable level. Right now, it's sky high. AH! I just feel like it's not worth "all the trouble." I know a high a1c and uncontrolled diabetes will kill me. And then all the thoughts of mourning my "old fat self" and being terrified of what being "thin" might mean.

I suppose I'm just venting because I know you guys struggled with second thoughts and no one in my house would really "GET" it if I brought this up!

Thanks for listening:blush:

[Bklyn Lady 0]

Big Thighs: First I would like you to change your moniker. You are way more than a young girl with big thighs. Before you think of surgery you have to get your head straight. I was just sleeved on Tuesday and it is a tough experience once you get home. Having uncontrolled diabetes is really bad. What does you diabetes doctor say about the surgery? I am sure you will get answers from people who really are vets of the sleeve that can help you more. I can tell from what you wrote you are a smart, thoughtful girl who should have and deserves a healthy. Let's see what information comes in. I had a brother who would periodically control diabetes 2 and he ended up blind in one eye when he was still in his 40's. We don't want anything like that happening to you.

Stella

[Sarah 0]

Thank you for your kind response. My endocrinologist is great and really tolerant of me and my struggles. The one I had previous threatened to throw me out of the medical practice before he would offer any encouragement or guidance! My a1c is a 9, which means my average blood glucose is about 200. Which, is high, yes, but not totally insane. It should be a 7 or less. I read some journal articles about Type 1s and WLS, and there was a 3-4 point drop in a1c! I would cry and cry with happiness having better diabetic control then I would about reaching a size 12 or any other weight loss goal.

My endocrinologist supports my decision for WLS and says it might be the jump start I need to better health and better control. He has a few patients who have had WLS and he said he didn't see much change in weight because of insulin use. Which, unfortunately, is part of the package. I just am freaked out about the whole thing I guess. If I weren't Type 1, I don't think I'd consider surgery. But if I can get a real handle on obesity AND my diabetes, I guess I shouldn't over-think everything too much and make the right choice. Anything to help me control this horrible horrible disease is probably the smartest choice.

And your point about my Username! I try to not take myself too seriously and see it more as a fact than a put-down! :biggrin0:

[cwalker 12]

I've have always been 5'9 and 250 was my highest weight. I have dieted all my adult life and rhuematoid arthritis and hypertention didnt help. In 7 weeks I have lost 36 lbs and can walk 3 times the distance I could pre-surgery but I am 53 yrs old. If I could say one thing to you it would be to take control of your health and enjoy the years ahead of you to the fullest, it's an amazing journey and the surgey is not bad at all. Carla:thumbup:

[Bklyn Lady 0]

Okay...it seems like you are on the right path and when you are ready to make the decision you won't be second guessing yourself. I'm 57 so I did it for health reasons too but considering I'm 3 days out from surgery I can't complain too much. It seems that people who have had diabetes end up completely without it or on a very low dose of medicine. I get your self deprecating humor but I have a daughter a little older than you and I always try to stop her from putting down herself. It must be some old lady mother thing that I do. Have a good weekend.

Stella

[Maddie 9]

I agree that you shouldn't take yourself too seriously, but that diabetes is another story. To me, you sound like most of us before surgery, second guessing, unsure, etc. That's all normal. Only you can know if this is right for you. You are very fortunate to have your endocronologist behind you on this, it's really great that the two of you can see the same light at the end of the tunnel when it comes to your health. Best of luck.

[SParkle 4]

Hi and welcome

I also had a lower BMI, but have still struggled with my weight all my life, and I think that this is the best gift I could have....the chance of a healthy life enabling me to be fitter and more confident as a result.

It is a personal choice, but I don't think its one you will regret.

Good luck

Kathy

[jerryvic 3]

Because you are a Type I diabetic, there is no cure, there is only better control. With a HbA1c that high indicates you have poor control. I have been there and I know the effort it takes to get the HbA1c down to the 6's or 7's.

The sleeve surgery is a tool to help you, but without the effort required it can be defeated. One year ago I had a HbA1c in the 11's. I was eating anything and everything I wanted. I was a Type II diabetic on insulin. Now, I am under better control and am off insulin after the surgery. You will always be on insulin, but after the surgery it will be much easier to control and you will be able to take less insulin and feel better.

Please do yourself a favor and do what ever it takes to control this "horrible, horrible" disease. I understand what you are going through. I had the surgery to help me and it did.

[pcindy 8]

I have no advice, other than agreeing that you should CHANGE THAT MONIKER!!! My beloved mentor, now deceased called her thighs her "water wings," saying they made her more buoyant! She loved swimming and that was how she mader her peace with them. As for you, come up with a new name (keep the avitar with the rolling ball though- that's cool)!