Sleeves, Diabetes And Post-Surgery Uncertainty!

[PeskyPisky 4]

Hello!

I'll try to be brief! I live in North Queensland. Australia and had sleeve surgery on 10 October 2012. The desire to manage my increasingly unmanageable type 2 diabetes put me on this path some 18 months ago. My father died with half a toe, my great grandmother with half a leg - I wanted extra years of life and all my limbs!! Losing weight was an added bonus. On day 5 following surgery I went from 5 tablets a day to TWO - for me, this makes everything worthwhile and I was a bit emotional when this happened, to have such instant improvement in my diabetic body was beyond what I had hoped for.

I'm now 3 weeks post surgery and trying to sort out this whole eating thing.... I have abandoned meat for the meantime as it does not sit well with me so I supplement my diet with Protein Powder mixed into fresh fruit and vegetable juices. I know these drinks can be high calorie but I plan to use them in moderation so I can maintain steady weight loss of around 1kg (2.2lb) per week - as recommended by my dietitian.

I would be very interested to hear any hints or information that people may have on:

- how long do you wait to have a drink once you've eaten? I've heard/read various lengths of time.

- people's experiences on how they adjusted to the new eating regime.

- how long generally have you taken to begin eating "regular" food (ie, not mashed or pureed)

Really, whatever comments you might have would be most welcome. I'm kinda new at this so please excuse any rambling!

many thanks

[PeskyPisky 4]

oh my, I've just discovered the huge list of forum topics -- I could be awhile! )

[sdb1147 54]

Good morning peskypisky from Seattle, WA. Congratulations on your decision to have weight loss surgery. I, like you, made the same decision & had my surgery on Aug. 14 of this year.

Diabetes was my biggest motivator. Several family members & friends died due to that dreaded disease. As you indicated, it's a slow killer: first a toe or a foot, than the leg, then...

My journey started in Januar, 2012 and I haven't looked back since. Started off weighing 304-lbs. and today I'm 242-lbs. Hooray for me :-) Just had a check up with my doctor, had a complete lab test done and low 'n behold, my A1c has gone from 11 to 5.5.

Where I used to take 1,000mg of Metformin at Breakfast & dinner, I now take (only) 500mg in the mornings. No longer take Glipizide & ALL my other meds are gone.

One thing I've learned is that everyone is different with respect to the healing processes. Additionally, different foods, and supplements taste and work differently for each individual. I give everything a try & see what works best for me. My kitchen & pantry are loaded with things that haven't worked out well.

Keep your goals in mind & love in your heart and you'll do well. God bless & Godspeed to you.

[PeskyPisky 4]

Good morning peskypisky from Seattle, WA. Congratulations on your decision to have weight loss surgery. I, like you, made the same decision & had my surgery on Aug. 14 of this year.

Diabetes was my biggest motivator. Several family members & friends died due to that dreaded disease. As you indicated, it's a slow killer: first a toe or a foot, than the leg, then...

My journey started in Januar, 2012 and I haven't looked back since. Started off weighing 304-lbs. and today I'm 242-lbs. Hooray for me :-) Just had a check up with my doctor, had a complete lab test done and low 'n behold, my A1c has gone from 11 to 5.5.

Where I used to take 1,000mg of Metformin at Breakfast & dinner, I now take (only) 500mg in the mornings. No longer take Glipizide & ALL my other meds are gone.

One thing I've learned is that everyone is different with respect to the healing processes. Additionally, different foods, and supplements taste and work differently for each individual. I give everything a try & see what works best for me. My kitchen & pantry are loaded with things that haven't worked out well.

Keep your goals in mind & love in your heart and you'll do well. God bless & Godspeed to you.

[PeskyPisky 4]

Good morning peskypisky from Seattle, WA. Congratulations on your decision to have weight loss surgery. I, like you, made the same decision & had my surgery on Aug. 14 of this year.

Diabetes was my biggest motivator. Several family members & friends died due to that dreaded disease. As you indicated, it's a slow killer: first a toe or a foot, than the leg, then...

My journey started in Januar, 2012 and I haven't looked back since. Started off weighing 304-lbs. and today I'm 242-lbs. Hooray for me :-) Just had a check up with my doctor, had a complete lab test done and low 'n behold, my A1c has gone from 11 to 5.5.

Where I used to take 1,000mg of Metformin at breakfast & dinner, I now take (only) 500mg in the mornings. No longer take Glipizide & ALL my other meds are gone.

One thing I've learned is that everyone is different with respect to the healing processes. Additionally, different foods, and supplements taste and work differently for each individual. I give everything a try & see what works best for me. My kitchen & pantry are loaded with things that haven't worked out well.

Keep your goals in mind & love in your heart and you'll do well. God bless & Godspeed to you.

THANKS SEATTLE! Your comments have rung a bell with me and I'm grateful for you taking the time. Sounds like we have similar situations too. After stressing for a few days about food / Protein intake I have just decided to kick back and take it as it comes - and if it comes a little later than others, so be it! I spent a bit longer in hospital than some so perhaps that was my first sign to go at my own pace. thanks once again. Jo

[sdb1147 54]

I had to stay in the hospital for seven (7) days! Had a leak. Have to go back at the end of Nov. for operation #2 to fix things. Staying positive.

[PeskyPisky 4]

sorry to hear that. what are the symptoms of a leak? Obvioiusly not too serious or they'd operate to fix it sooner surely? Hope everything goes well - as it will! I think perhaps the longer stay in hospital for us both could relate to our diabetes and longer healing times generally. Stay positive and before you know it, you'll be on the other side.

[sdb1147 54]

Positive is me! The 'leak' turned out to be a thin portion of stomach material that connected the old to the new stomach. Unusual, at best. The operation in Nov. is to cut the material, re-staple or apply sutures, then I'm good to go. Hospital stay should only be 2-3 days, per the doctor.

Good luck on your journey & always keep in mind that what works for others doesn't always work for you.