Diabetic Questions

[AndreaK. 60]

Hey guys!

So my surgery is scheduled 10/25/18 (pending BCBS approval , yikes) but I just had a couple question. Idk if anyone out there is like me so I'll just ask lol

I'm a diabetic w/ high blood pressure, high cholesterol, retinopathy and neuropathy and ohmygosh anything else medically related to diabetes I'm pretty much the poster child for. Anywho. Question is, how long did it take for ya'll whom have this kind of illnesses to be off insulin or blood pressure medicine etc..? If it wasn't instant like right after surgery how was it monitored ? I'm just concerned.

Thanks for listening!

[AndreaK. 60]

Just now, AndreaK. said:

Hey guys!

So my surgery is scheduled 10/25/18 (pending BCBS approval , yikes) but I just had a couple question. Idk if anyone out there is like me so I'll just ask lol

I'm a diabetic w/ high blood pressure, high cholesterol, retinopathy and neuropathy and ohmygosh anything else medically related to diabetes I'm pretty much the poster child for. Anywho. Question is, how long did it take for ya'll whom have this kind of illnesses to be off insulin or blood pressure medicine etc..? If it wasn't instant like right after surgery how was it monitored ? I'm just concerned.

Thanks for listening!

"You must do the thing you think you cannot do."- E. Roosevelt

[TakingABreak 2,733]

11 minutes ago, AndreaK. said:

Hey guys!

So my surgery is scheduled 10/25/18 (pending BCBS approval , yikes) but I just had a couple question. Idk if anyone out there is like me so I'll just ask lol

I'm a diabetic w/ high blood pressure, high cholesterol, retinopathy and neuropathy and ohmygosh anything else medically related to diabetes I'm pretty much the poster child for. Anywho. Question is, how long did it take for ya'll whom have this kind of illnesses to be off insulin or blood pressure medicine etc..? If it wasn't instant like right after surgery how was it monitored ? I'm just concerned.

Thanks for listening!

I've heard of people that are closely monitored and get completely off their insulin or diabetic medications within the first six weeks. It really truly depends on how bad your diabetes is. Have you been able to use diet to lower your insulin in the past? If this is the case, you stand a stronger chance to get off of it sooner. Just be very mindful to check your blood sugar, more often, than you would now. This includes during the pre op diet.

[AndreaK. 60]

AshAsh1 - Thank you! Yes diet does help me w/ my blood sugar struggles! So I feel pretty positive that it'll be a HUGE benefit for me to do this!

Thanks for your advice, I sure will be on top of it !!

[shortmocha 39]

Are you Type 2? Just wanted to make sure since you're on insulin. I'm Type 1 so my situation is a little different. I didn't go into RNY hoping to get rid of my diabetes, but I was hoping to cut way back on the amount of insulin I use. I'm 2 months out and my insulin needs are way down. I have a CGM (continuous glucose monitor) so that makes it easier to see what my sugars are doing. I was running into lots of lows so we just kept adjusting the insulin down. Right now I'm using about half the insulin I was.

I was also able to reduce my blood pressure medicines down to 1 right after surgery but it's been running a little higher lately. My doctor was expecting that. He says a lot of times there's a dip right after surgery then it can bounce back up but as the weight continues to come off it will drop back down allowing further reductions in medication. He had my check my BP at home regularly right after surgery. They took me off my cholesterol med right after surgery. We'll see when I do my first round of labs next week how that's doing without the medication.

[TakingABreak 2,733]

12 minutes ago, shortmocha said:

Are you Type 2? Just wanted to make sure since you're on insulin. I'm Type 1 so my situation is a little different. I didn't go into RNY hoping to get rid of my diabetes, but I was hoping to cut way back on the amount of insulin I use. I'm 2 months out and my insulin needs are way down. I have a CGM (continuous glucose monitor) so that makes it easier to see what my sugars are doing. I was running into lots of lows so we just kept adjusting the insulin down. Right now I'm using about half the insulin I was.

^^^ Also my situation.

[AndreaK. 60]

I am type 2 so way different then you @shortmocha. But I'm so glad to hear you have reduced yours! I too am going into this to help me just be healthier!

[Wanda247 908]

1 hour ago, AndreaK. said:

I am type 2 so way different then you @shortmocha. But I'm so glad to hear you have reduced yours! I too am going into this to help me just be healthier!

Hi @AndreaK. My situation is similar to yours, I have Type II diabetes and currently take metformin and victoza, I have my surgery wednesday the 29th and my endocrinologist said that literally right after surgery that I can come off all of the diabetic meds...It sounds a little too good to be true but I'm trusting him and I will definately let you know how it goes after surgery...I was able to get off of the meds when losing weight before but regained and was back on it. That is one of the reasons for me having the surgery, but If I don't come completely off it won't be the end of the world, I will just continue to do my best with my lifestyle change and not let that set me back. I wish you all the best.

[AndreaK. 60]

Oh awesome!!!! @wanda247 thank you so much! Yes keep me in mind when you get back online I'd love to hear how your doing! They (both my doctors) have told me that as well that it could be as soon as I'm out of surgery. I'd love to never have to shove a needle in my stomach again but like you if its not the case I'll just keep working super hard to better my life and my health!

Best of luck to youuuuuu!!!! You got this!!!

[DeanaNJ 25]

I am type 2. I had RNY on April 2, 2018. Went off meds a week prior to surgery. After surgery took fast acting insulin as needed. As of june 2, I have been totally insulin free! Good luck!

[dathvick 150]

Before surgery I was taking metformin, 3 shots of novalog, 2 shots of lantus and 1 shot of victoza every day. I stopped all meds when I went on my liquid diet a week prior to surgery. I noticed my sugar level was higher then it should be about 2 weeks after surgery so I went back to taking 1 shot of lantus before bed and I am still taking it.

They say I will always have diabetes it is just controlled very well. I am currently taking 25 units of Lantus every night before bed. I wake up and my sugar is in the 70's and 80's. I had my A1C checked about a month ago and it was 5.4.

My HIgh Blood Pressure and High Cholestrol are gone. I don't take any meds other than the lantus and my multi Vitamin and Calcium.

[RapidFirePickle 119]

Before surgery I was on 80 Units Lantus, 300 mg Invokana, 1.8 mg Victoza, and 2000 mg Metformin and I had a Hemoglobin A1c of 8.3%. I was also on 200 mg of Metoprolol succinate, 0.1mg Clonidine, and 10 mg of chlorthalidone for hypertension. I stopped all diabetes medications the night before surgery except the Victoza. I also went off the Chlorthalidone and the Metoprolol the night before surgery.

I was able to stop the last blood pressure medication within a month post-surgery. I also reduced my Victoza to 0.6 mg (still have small Dawn effect) and at 4 months post-op my Hemoglobin A1c was 5.6.

All I can offer for advice is to monitor you sugars and blood pressure, and work with your doctor(s) to reduce the amount of medication as your numbers improve.

Good luck to you!

[iattcom 96]

@AndreaK. I am type 2 as well and as of today (4 day pre-op) I am only on 1000 mg metformin twice a day and I check my blood sugar frequency. My last A1C was 5.4 down from 6.8 before I started my 14 day liquid fast. I am calling my PCP every few days to check in and go over my numbers. They took me off of my quick acting insulin and started reducing my treseba. I have been off the treseba now for 4 days now and my sugars have been within normal range all this time

[AndreaK. 60]

On ‎9‎/‎23‎/‎2018 at 3:36 PM, iattcom said:

@AndreaK. I am type 2 as well and as of today (4 day pre-op) I am only on 1000 mg metformin twice a day and I check my blood sugar frequency. My last A1C was 5.4 down from 6.8 before I started my 14 day liquid fast. I am calling my PCP every few days to check in and go over my numbers. They took me off of my quick acting insulin and started reducing my treseba. I have been off the treseba now for 4 days now and my sugars have been within normal range all this time

OH MY GOSH!!! That is awesome!!!!!!

[Separ1418 101]

I was off 3 of my 4 diabetes meds at discharge from the hospital. I’ll probably always have to be on metformin but I’m ok with that!