Hi Folks, as a type 11 diabetic and having gone through the full open gastric by-pass, please allow me to post my account of things.
firstly let me put an end to the myth that gastric by-pass cures type 11 diabetes.
Now in 1990 i was diagnosed with type 11,i was really worried,as i was both a H.G.V. and P.C.V. driver within the civil service,i thought it would be the end of my career.I was put on to metformin,and boy did it upset my digestive system (lol) as anyone that takes it will know.the metformin didnt hold down my B/S,and i had reached the max dose.
Then the dreaded day came that i had to inject insulin i was put on humalin mixtard,and the final dose was 58 units morn.,and 58 units at night. Then came the dreaded letter DVLA revoked my HGV,& my PCV,well as you can imagine that was like cutting off my arm,however the MOD decided to keep me to drive staff arround.Then believe it or not i got a letter from DVLA medical branch informing me that allthough i could not drive PCV as a proffesional anymore,i could take old ladies and gentleman out for trips to the sea-side as long as they were non-paying customers!!!!!.
well that made me see red!!!! because they took away my living,and poured petrol on the flames,because i fail to see where they did the risk assesament? surely if paying customers were at risk so should the non-paying be equally at risk??? Needless to say Dvla never got back to me with an answer on that!!!!.
Anyway 15 years on my G.p. made an appointment for me to see a consultant,Mr.S.Somers G.Slater & co., who i have the greatest admiration for,and to whom i will allways be in debt,and whilst im at this point id like to also mention his great team from the King Edward 7th hospital at Midhurst West Sussex.
Well i was admitted 18/08 2005 and had the gasrtic by-pass. i made a remarkable recovery and felt very good after the op.I was up the following day,and was given just 10 units of insulin,the last dose till now,5 years later, in the past 5 years,i took on DVLA medical branch and had all my driving licences re-instated,went back to my old line of work,and lifes been great.
Now about 3 months ago i noticed the old symptoms creeping in,the thirstyness,a little tired and indeed sluggish. So i began monitering my B/S once again and noticed they had crept back up.Back i went to my G.P. fearing the worst,which he confirmed.
So at this moment in time back on metformin,and a new type of injection called Victoza,which all-though is an injection does not have any affect on your driving licence,because it dosnt have the effects that insulin does,(so DVLA god bless them i still have the last laugh im not giving up yet Lol).Well i guess thats my story to date,i will keep you all informed,and i hope this helps those that are faced with the decision.
In short having the gastric by-pass does not cure diabetes,but it has given me my life back and 5 more great years.Now im sure the question is would i still have that op done??? the honnest answer is most definately,beyond any shaddow of doubt.
If anyone has any qyestions about my case then i will be more than happy to give you an honnest answer. Regards to all Robert