Pre-op, looking for "super" diabetics

[javasmitty 0]

Hey folks - my main reason for seeking RNY is my type 2 diabetes. I think I am a bit of an outlier given my history with PCOS, the young age I was diagnosed with diabetes and started on insulin, and how little improvement I've seen despite following a strict ketogenic diet for over a year. My PCP has told me I might still need insulin after surgery, which is fine, but disappointing, but he thinks I will have a much easier time keeping a good a1C. My biggest fear is that I will also be an outlier among people who have had the surgery and will be right where I am after going through all of that. Did anyone else with really resistant diabetes see improvements? Thanks.

[RiverWalker 10]

I had been taking 4 medications for diabetes for several years. Was very close to adding insulin to it, but was managing to keep it somewhat controlled with the meds I was already on - even with all that I was running blood sugars of 150+. Not sure if that meets the requirements for resistant. I'm a month out from surgery and have been able to cut 2 of the diabetes meds and a blood pressure med out altogether already and am seeing blood sugars of 120.

[gabybab 696]

I've been diabetic for almost 15 years. I had my surgery 2 months ago today. Before surgery I was on metformin 2x day 1000mg. Glimeperide 2x 4g and 72 units Lantus at night.

I've lost 45 pounds. After surgery my sugars were over 200 and sometimes 300. I was told not to take medicine, but went back on metformin and had terrible diarrhea, so I had to discontinue it because I wasn't getting enough fluids in.

Today I only take glimeperide if my morning or dinnertime bs is over 180. In the last month I have only had to take it once. I was taking between 8-20 units of Lamtus, but now think I can come off that too. My bs has been under 145 each morning without anything. I hope that my numbers will continue to lower as I lose more weight.

Good luck!

[RickM 1,747]

If the main reason for seeking WLS is treatment of your T2 diabetes, then the duodenal switch procedure should at least be on your radar as while the RNY typically shows remission rates in the 80-85% range, the DS typically shows 98-99% remission rates. There is some legitimate sense to this as the DS started as a procedure to specifically treat diabetes, to which the VSG was added to make it a weight loss treatment. It is a more technically challenging procedure to perform, which is why most bariatric surgeons don't offer it - it takes resources to develop, and most particularly maintain, the appropriate skills, but ii is well worth the effort to research it and seek out a DS surgeon for a consult. It may or may not be the right thing for you, but it should be part of your "due diligence" in making a decision.

Good luck in getting through all of this!

[DanaC84 1,116]

I am currently in remission as of my last A1C last week, which was a 6 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻 Severe neuropathy, kidney function issues and just everything else that goes along with being a diabetic we’re my main reasons for surgery . I was on Metformin twice a day and had graduated from insulin to Trulicity. I stopped all meds prior to surgery and never had to go back. The first time I saw a reading under 100 I think I was just as excited as I will be when I hit onderland! The stats above about DS I think are valid and I would look into them. I had VSG and hallelujah, was one of the lucky ones