Diabetes and Weightloss Surgery

[sue32]

I agree as well. If your blood sugars are really good, you haven't had to take any diabetes meds, how is that not cured?? The physicians actually do say that WLS can be a cure for T2 diabetes in many cases. I congratulate you for being brave enough to have the surgery, I wish I was as brave as you!!! Well done!!

 

[Patch]

If I could afford it, I'd do it tomorrow!

 

[cugila]

It really is only remission.......NOT a 'cure'. If you go back to eating unhealthy foods, for a Diabetic, it can and probably will come back to haunt you. Even the people who do the Op state that....... tucked away usually, but there all the same.

It's a bit like me, I have had Cancer......I am now in remission, however it could come back at any time........I'm never 'cured.'

 

[ally5555]

Interesting - was with a group of Dietitians last week and this came up as a topic. I did not go to National Obesity Forun meeting in Cardiff ( usually do ) and this was a topic.

They actually had 2 pts who had had surgery and lost alot of wt. The consensus from the meeting was that they had paid alot of money to eat less and undergone life threatening surgery. That 7K could have paid for alot of lifestyle work! I have had 2 pts also who had the surgery and found that their intake of food was less than 1000 calories /day - alot of supplements needed!
I do not think it cures Diabetes like Ken says it is controlling it because the volume of food has decreased.

It can also depend on the surgery - the ballons and bands sometimes need re inflating as people have managed to get more food in!

Allyx

 

[Patch]

Remission is probably a good way of putting it.

Like you say, Ken - if one continues to eat unheathily (depending on the definition! :wink: ) following the surgery, one would probably expect the diabetes to return.

In that situation, what other response could you give, other than "serves you right"?

Does having the surgery increase your "resistance to diabetes"?, does eating badly after the operation decrease your "resistance to diabetes"?

I think it's probably fair to say yes to both.

 

[ally5555]

Patch - the 2 ptsI have worked with their intakes of food went from around 7-8000 calories a day to 1000 overnight. I suppose from a practical point of view insulin resistance/ production would alter very quickly. So you would see a huge difference in v

The problem is that although it changes the volume of food you can eat it does not change your relationship with food!

 

[Dottychic]

Patch - the 2 ptsI have worked with their intakes of food went from around 7-8000 calories a day to 1000 overnight. I suppose from a practical point of view insulin resistance/ production would alter very quickly. So you would see a huge difference in v

The problem is that although it changes the volume of food you can eat it does not change your relationship with food.

You are right, it doesnt change your relationship with food. You are supposed to work on that yourself. Any weightloss surgery is only a tool, to be worked with! Its not a magical cure for obesity, its what you do with it that counts. I never had the surgery to cure my Diabetes, that was a brilliant side-effect as was the High Blood Pressure meds being reduced from 5 a day to nil! Maybe it is only in remission and it will be up to me to make sure it stays that way, I can live with that!

 

[Patch]

Anybody taking 8000 calories a day shouldn't be having weight loss surgery. If they can't show even a small level of restraint, what good is having surgery gonna do?

They'll end up back at square one. People taking 8000 calories a day are the ones giving us all a bad name.

 

[ricke17]

I had a gastric bypass in November 2008 and since then my diabetes has gotten worse!

Having lost 10 stone since the operation I am now back on Metformin and restarted Levemir Insulin and also on Victoza.

So, although Type 2 Diabetes can go in remission, there are those (like me) who have to still continue on treatment despite weight loss and a much healthier diet!

Rick.

 

[anna29]

Hi. read ure post with interest, being type 2 n taking victoza combined with levemir, do you just use levemir as a basal only with victoza without having to bolus at meal times? as I am also type 2 on victoza due to use levemir alongside it. Havnt had a gastric band etc as am tiny legs n arms with all weight being on my upper body [barrel tum!] My BS is still high on victoza alone, used to take sitaglyptin [januvia] n gliclazide . Cant tollerate any other diabetic drugs have tried them all in different types n formulas etc . Am yet still reluctant to have to "try" insulin levemir n have asked for more time to chew it over. See specialist on april 8th n have to let them know what I decide. Am really happy on victoza as had NO side effects n am steadily losing lb's each week n feeling more positive.... Only worrying thing is my BS arnt coming down much. There seems to be more type1's on levemir than type2's or am I wrong ? please let me know. Anna.

 

[ricke17]

Hi. read ure post with interest, being type 2 n taking victoza combined with levemir, do you just use levemir as a basal only with victoza without having to bolus at meal times? as I am also type 2 on victoza due to use levemir alongside it. Havnt had a gastric band etc as am tiny legs n arms with all weight being on my upper body [barrel tum!] My BS is still high on victoza alone, used to take sitaglyptin [januvia] n gliclazide . Cant tollerate any other diabetic drugs have tried them all in different types n formulas etc . Am yet still reluctant to have to "try" insulin levemir n have asked for more time to chew it over. See specialist on april 8th n have to let them know what I decide. Am really happy on victoza as had NO side effects n am steadily losing lb's each week n feeling more positive.... Only worrying thing is my BS arnt coming down much. There seems to be more type1's on levemir than type2's or am I wrong ? please let me know. Anna.

Hi Anna,

I had to go back on Levemir as I was in the same situation as you in as much as my BS were still crazy on just Victoza; I also take Metformin in powder form (have you tried this formulation).

Being back on Levemir has reduced my BS dramatically, so much so I am having hypo's in the morning so am now having to split the dose to twice a day.

Am hoping that the side effect of weight gain and the weight loss on Victoza cancel each other out as I truly do not want to put more weight on.

Good luck to you and lemme know what you decide.

Ricardo x

 

[anna29]

Hi richardo, thanks for your reply. Have tried metformin in SR tablets and powder sachet form every time was up till 3am violently sick . My stomach cant tollerate it at all. What dosage have they put u on? they wanted to start me on 10 units . Do u "bolus" at all ? As levemir split dose is your basal only. Am yet climbing BS levels was 10 in the morns now going up to 12 . Fluctuate rest ot time 13 to 19 rest of the time with few 20's ....? despite using victoza so dont know how? or why? as I do follow a healthy n little bit portion size diet. Is it helping you? n do u feel okay on this combination of victoza with levemir? Regards Anna.x

 

[ricke17]

Hi richardo, thanks for your reply. Have tried metformin in SR tablets and powder sachet form every time was up till 3am violently sick . My stomach cant tollerate it at all. What dosage have they put u on? they wanted to start me on 10 units . Do u "bolus" at all ? As levemir split dose is your basal only. Am yet climbing BS levels was 10 in the morns now going up to 12 . Fluctuate rest ot time 13 to 19 rest of the time with few 20's ....? despite using victoza so dont know how? or why? as I do follow a healthy n little bit portion size diet. Is it helping you? n do u feel okay on this combination of victoza with levemir? Regards Anna.x

I don't understand what you mean by bolus or basal - sorry!

I get nasty wind and the runs with metformin but because the gastric bypass can make me constipated this is helping this problem lol.

Victoza with the levemir seems to be working for me - just worried about weight gain tbh

 

[anna29]

Hi ricardo, after re reading ure post again, U are taking exactly same meds as myself simavastin 40mg n lisinopril 20mg . I actually asked for more time to consider levemir insulin alongside victoza due to massive fear of gaining weight on the levemir. As prior to victoza was taking gliclazide n put 2.5 stones on am tiny body shape with ALL weight gain going on my tummy only. Am currently being tested for cushings disease due to my body shape n rash that cums n goes weekly on my trunk face n neck. Will get results the 1st of june for that. Am chuffed to bits on victoza except "baffled" yet over my BS levels remaining bit high n climbing despite eating so much less due to victoza appetite suppressant action in the stomach. How much did u weigh at the start ? n what do u weigh now? I was diagnosed in dec 2009 diabetes type 2. And I thought it was my underactive thyroid crashing again which it had plus other things!!!! Anna.x

 

[ricke17]

Hi ricardo, after re reading ure post again, U are taking exactly same meds as myself simavastin 40mg n lisinopril 20mg . I actually asked for more time to consider levemir insulin alongside victoza due to massive fear of gaining weight on the levemir. As prior to victoza was taking gliclazide n put 2.5 stones on am tiny body shape with ALL weight gain going on my tummy only. Am currently being tested for cushings disease due to my body shape n rash that cums n goes weekly on my trunk face n neck. Will get results the 1st of june for that. Am chuffed to bits on victoza except "baffled" yet over my BS levels remaining bit high n climbing despite eating so much less due to victoza appetite suppressant action in the stomach. How much did u weigh at the start ? n what do u weigh now? I was diagnosed in dec 2009 diabetes type 2. And I thought it was my underactive thyroid crashing again which it had plus other things!!!! Anna.x

Been on Victoza for about 8 weeks and lost 1 stone - am well sketchy being on the levemir again due to weight gain - will keep you posted.

 

[IANGRINNELL]

Hi my blood sugars go from 3.5 to 15.0 most days and i take 4 metaformin a day my problem is my weight this has affected my back and joints so i am unable to do much exercise. I am carefull what i eat as a last resort my doctor put me forward for the gastric band but i was informed that there was no point making me an appointment as my bmi was not high enough to meet the criteria. My bmi is 52.9 worcester pct has set a minimum bmi of 55 .
If anyone has any ideas what i can do please let me know.

 

[ricke17]

Hi my blood sugars go from 3.5 to 15.0 most days and i take 4 metaformin a day my problem is my weight this has affected my back and joints so i am unable to do much exercise. I am carefull what i eat as a last resort my doctor put me forward for the gastric band but i was informed that there was no point making me an appointment as my bmi was not high enough to meet the criteria. My bmi is 52.9 worcester pct has set a minimum bmi of 55 .
If anyone has any ideas what i can do please let me know.

Have you seen a Bariatric Surgeon at all? If so he would probably recommend a Gastric Bypass not a Band. It is crazy that each PCT has it's own set of rules. When I had my Gastric Bypass (2008) the NICE published Guidelines on Obesity (http://www.nice.org.uk/nicemedia/pdf/CG ... deline.pdf) that stated that funding could be approved for ANYONE over a BMI of 40 if they had obesity related conditions (I have Diabetes, High BP, High Cholestrol etc) and the White Paper also stated that ANYONE with a BMI of over 50 would automatically be considered for Bariatric Surgery.

Your PCT needs to know about your Obesity Related conditions before they can make an informed decision - do they really want you to put more weight on which wouyld have an adverse affect on your health conditions before they even consider Bariatirc Surgery?

Let us know how you get on.

A good website to look at is http://www.wlsinfo.org.uk/ - they have FREE forums which are VERY active and you can join and post on their and you will probably find people in your local area who could advise you further. Also try http://www.bospa.org/

Rick.

 

[IANGRINNELL]

Thanks for the reply the pct are aware of my other weight related problems and i still cannot get to see a surgeon i think its all about saving money. I am not going to put weight on just to fit their criteria .

 

[Patch]

I dunno, mate - the difference between a BMI of 52.9 and 55 is not that much weight. I'd consider it if I were you.

A BMI of 52.9 (in my opinion) is certainly in the suitable range for this type of surgery. You'd benefit greatly from the surgery.

Ethically, I suppose it is wrong. But your quality of life would be greatly improved by having the surgery.

Ends/means, etc...

 

[RussG]

Bariatric surgery suggests significant effect on diabetes

Article on the Guardian today saying 50% of type 2 patients given bariatric surgery showed no sign of diabetes a year after the surgery, rising to 86% after three years. This was a survey of 1421 patients, of whom 379 had diabetes. It suggested a three year pay back in terms of the costs of surgery, but is likely to be subject to funding cuts, making it less likely to happen.


http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2011/apr/13/obesity-surgery-treats-diabetes