June Date - diabetic, worried it's a drastic step - looking for diabetic stories.

[modymatey 33]

I'm a type 1/2 diabetic, diagnosed late in my 20s but seemingly still with B cell function and responsive to sulfonylureas 5 years later. I take insulin too though. I weigh 125kg (270lb) and am very tall and broad shouldered, I don't appear obese but am low obese BMi of 33.

Following a traumatic, but preventable, death in the family my own fear of mortality prompted me to look at weight loss surgery to get me back down into healthy BMI, resolve early BP and Cholesterol issues and reduce my insulin needs / increase sensitivity. I've always been large, but could never keep weight off despite many attempts. My diabetes is moderately well controlled.

My endo approved, and a meeting with a surgeon had me on track for a bypass booked for June. He feels the current evidence about bypass ability to resolve Diabetes makes it the choice for me, but would otherwise recommend a SG. I'm not expecting to be cured, but if it minimises my risk of complications and improves management then I'm okay with still being diabetic and pouched. I've dived into the research and see overall the outcomes are positive - but it's a big step!

So - my question for the community. Is this too drastic a step? Has anyone else undergone RNY at a lower BMI to tackle diabetes? I'd love your stories and feedback. Feel free to link to your posts if they exist already, I am doing my best to get through them using search.

[Sleeve1stFitNext 924]

I am not a diabetic. I was becoming close to a pre-diabetic but my father is a type 2. He did not take care of himself and now has issues seeing, and has almost lost his foot. He got really sick when I was a teenager but when he started losing his sight in 2014, that is when I decided to try and make a change.

If you are getting the surgery to solely prevent diabetes or help to control it, you may end up miserable. This journey is hard and it is not an easy path to take no matter what other people may say. You have to want this to be a healthier you across the board. You have to want it, so that your joints don't hurt, or you tie your sneaker without having to pull on the bottom of your pants. So you can be more active and hopefully not need insulin ever again. You have to want it for more than one reason because those reasons will be your anchor to keep going when you want to give up.

If you have strongly tried everything, I am biased so I will say do it. It does give you your life bike in more ways than you can ever imagine. It definitely helps with Diabetes (when the program is followed properly), and it is the best decision I have ever made.

[modymatey 33]

Wonderful words! Thank you.i should have mentioned I approached it in the beginning as a means to manage risk by nixing three or four major cardiovascular risk factors. The diabetes would be a bonus.

[tigger1960 11]

I'm diabetic and before surgery my blood sugars were between 200 and 400 plus all the time now being two weeks post-op I'm no longer on insulin keep my sugars under 140 all the time and after 25yrs of injections 3 times a day it feels really awesome best choice I ever made! No regrets

Sent from my LG-V410 using BariatricPal mobile app

[modymatey 33]

I'm diabetic and before surgery my blood sugars were between 200 and 400 plus all the time now being two weeks post-op I'm no longer on insulin keep my sugars under 140 all the time and after 25yrs of injections 3 times a day it feels really awesome best choice I ever made! No regrets

Sent from my LG-V410 using BariatricPal mobile app

Wow! 25 years, and here I'm moaning about 5. If you don't mind me asking - are (were?!) you type 2 or type 1 or something in between.

Congratulations on the good outcome.

[tigger1960 11]

I'm type 2 thank you and good luck to you too!

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[newmebithebypass 713]

I'm 5'3" and weigh 281 so my bmi is close to 50 and one of the main reasons for perusing rny is to completely get out of the diabetic range I never want to get insulin dependent I've seen it in my family it's terrible. So yes very valid reason.

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[MommaMausteller 7]

I am diabetic, type 2 diagnosed in my early 20s. I tried every oral available at the time, up to the point where my educator is concerned I've become type 1 now. I'm on an insulin pump and gearing up for RNY.

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