Diabetic Sleevers

[Im done mooing. 17]

My dr and nut both told me yesterday that they will not perform the sleeve on anyone with diabetes because the sleeve does not cure diabetes the way roux en y does. I am wondering if any of you who have had your surgery already are still having problems with diabetes or did the diabetes go away? Any of you who have not yet had your surgery, what have you been told by your dr's about the sleeve and your diabetes?

[LibbyLou 59]

I was told the sleeve would not get me off my diabetes meds. I think differently. I have cut in half my dosage of mixed insulin to one shot of long acting with better results. I am on 17th day of liquid (pre and post op) down 23 lbs. That's got to help!

They tried to get me to do the DS w/sleeve which I would have considered but ins. would not pay. Would never do R E Y...

I think wt loss and exercise will be the key. If I still have to take meds I am sure it will change to oral eventually.

[IsB 209]

My surgeon told me that most of his diabetic patients do get off their diabetes meds but it takes longer than the bypass patients. Instead of 2 days it's 2 to 3 months. I can wait 2 to 3 months if that means I don't have to get things rerouted and face more serious malabsorption issues.

I'm sure it depends on how serious your diabetes is. Mine is controlled using a lot of medicine, no insulin. My A1C is usually between 6 and 6.3. That might be why my surgeon and endochrinoligist feel that the sleeve should knock the diabetes out.

[DZ1RMQ 20]

I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in April of this year. I had surgery on July 27th. I have lost 25lbs and my blood sugar is at normal levels. :-) I am no longer on metformin or fast acting insulin.

[TheNewSusie 471]

I'm a type one diabetic, two months post op, I used to take 60 units of indulging in one day , now I take 5-7 every other day because my BS are so great. And I'm a type one!!! My body does not make enough insulin.

[Ready4success 380]

I was diagnosed in April 2010, and was on Metformin 1,000mg BID. My blood sugars ran 140s-150s, and they were about to add another med. I was sleeved 8/28, and now I run 120-130s. It's not normal yet, but I've lost almost 30 pounds, so my doctor says she expects it to be normal within the next month. I was told it takes longer if you've been diagnosed longer, and if you're on several meds for control, which makes sense.

[Nate 292]

My advice would be to check out new Surgeons.

I was Diabetic. My Doc took me off my meds day after surgery and I've been off them ever since, going on almost 4 months now. My blood sugar level is consistently between 90-100 now and the highest Ive seen it was 115 since surgery

[Ready4success 380]

My surgeon told me that most of his diabetic patients do get off their diabetes meds but it takes longer than the bypass patients. Instead of 2 days it's 2 to 3 months. I can wait 2 to 3 months if that means I don't have to get things rerouted and face more serious malabsorption issues.

I'm sure it depends on how serious your diabetes is. Mine is controlled using a lot of medicine, no insulin. My A1C is usually between 6 and 6.3. That might be why my surgeon and endochrinoligist feel that the sleeve should knock the diabetes out.

You're much better controlled than I was. At best, I was 7.2 on Metformin alone, that's why I wanted the surgery. I didn't want to add more, and I didn't want insulin.

[IsB 209]

You're much better controlled than I was. At best, I was 7.2 on Metformin alone, that's why I wanted the surgery. I didn't want to add more, and I didn't want insulin.

That number is from Metformin, Victoza and Onglyza with 40 minutes of cardio 6 days a week. Honestly I don't know where I would be if it was just Metformin.

Diabetes is my primary reason for having this procedure. I'm so tired of dealing with it and the complications that come from all this medication. I'm trusting my doctors that I will eventually end up in the same place that I would of with the bypass.

[beefalogal 43]

Diabetes is my first reason for having this surgery. I am on metformin 2000mg daily, glipizide 20 mg daily, 45 units of lantus. Currently on the pre op diet as surgery is scheduled for 9/20 and I am checking my levels much more frequently as I have been reducing the dosages due to crashes. I do feel much clearer headed now. Doc took me off lasic already and I am shocked that I do miss it. I seem to have more headaches and having some issues with Fluid build up. Just trying to drink more Water.< /p>

[Ryokokitty 26]

I was taking 2550 mg a day of Metformin before surgery. My surgeon also said that I had a better chance of getting rid of diabetes with RNY as well, but I wanted the sleeve. Before I was sleeved, I reduced my A1c to 6. My blood sugar since surgery has been normal. My regular doctor has since taken me off Metformin.

[jd13 25]

Diabetes was also my main reason for the sleeve. I was on Metformin before surgery and a week after my doctor took me off. I feel great!

[Sleever963 12]

Sounds to me like it's time for you to start looking for a new doctor. The ultimate choice should YOURS as to the procedure performed. It's you body and you will be the one going through everything. My doctor advised there was about 10% difference in the number of people (95% vs 85%) who overcome diabetes with the sleeve vs the RNY/gastric by-pass. The nutritional deficincies experienced with the RNY/gastric by-pass are too much of a risk than I personally would be willing to take. I would search for another doctor if I were in your shoes. Good luck!

[Kat Crowder 34]

I don't know if there's as much data out there to show that sleeve helps cure diabetes like RNY, but there is no reason why it shouldn't, and I think eventually it will be shown to be just as effective, especially if your post-surgical diet is low in carbohydrate. I'm a BIG proponent of low carb, sufficient Protein as a way of managing blood sugar, and I've kicked my pre-diabetes several times in the past that way, but I couldn't stick with it without the surgery. I was on metformin for my pre-diabetes before my surgery, was taken off it the day of, and haven't been on it since.

The sleeve was originally developed as a pre-RNY surgery for those too heavy to get a safe bypass, and doctors found that the patients didn't need the bypass to lose the weight they needed, unless they had a metabolic imbalance that really warranted the malabsorptive effects of the RNY. And it's slowly gained ground as a primary surgery, and for lower BMIs. It's also a safer / less drastic surgery, which can always be revised to an RNY later if necessary.

Maybe you can discuss that with your doctors? They seem to be very conservative regarding proven surgeries, but I think they should consider the risk side of the equation as well. Would you be willing to have a second surgery if the sleeve isn't successful? I truly think it's the best option.

[Butterthebean 8,146]

I'd question that opinion. It's not what they do with the scalpel that cures the diabetes, it's the weight loss, exercise and high Protein low carb/low sugar diet. Either surgery helps with the weight loss, you have to do the rest. As has already been said, eating low glycemic foods will go a long way to controlling blood sugar.