Hi louiseb,
You seem to be getting a bad deal with this "specialist diabetes dr".
Ask for a double appointment, write down all your concerns and worries and when you get to see him be assertive. Go through everything on your list and write down his answers. Explain how you feel about the advice you have been given, how you want to be pro-active in controlling your diabetes and how you find the dismissive attitude of the surgery very upsetting. Ask him to explain to you how he suggests you control your blood sugars as, to date, you are doing everything right and nothing is happening.
You are probably just "another diabetic" to him but he needs to realize that an individual approach is all you are asking for as you are motivated to change things but seem to have hit a brick wall. I would then ask to see and Endocrinologist and I would be surprised if this is denied to you as this is your right, a second opinion.
If you find assertion difficult here is a tip, imagine that he is sitting there in his underwear. He is a Dr. and not a God.
Hope this helps,
Catherine.