Diabetic Type 2

I was diagnosed in 2011 with type 2. Despite losing 3 & 1/2 stone and radically changing my diet, no sugary things, cutting out the carbs and managing my size portions my HBA1C is still ridiculously high. My last one was 86. As I am awaiting an operation on my knee which they won’t do until my HBA1C is below 70 I really need some help. I have been put on insulin and I am hoping this will bring my levels down but I’m not really happy relying on insulin and would like to come off it ASAP. Any suggestions would be gratefully received.