Bariatric Sleeve

I am 50 woman living in Houston and working. I have type 1 diabetes and am on a pump. I have been for 4 years. I went to see a new back Dr. last Friday and the first thing he said is do you not want to be a diabetic anymore. I said yes, what can I do? And he said the sleeve, and I wouldn't be a diabetic anymore. I have been reading into this. I am not sure. Can anyone out there shed some light on this for me. Is it safe, will I still need insulin?



iva Bircher

I would contact my primary care provider and diabetic doctor and see what their opinions are...that being said...

All I can offer is two things ....

first, even a 10% loss in weight will improve your ability to manage your diabetes ( I am a firm believer in that its not cured, its just managed).

Secondly, my father in law just had sleeve surgery this past month.  He is 72 years old.  Insulin dependent for the last 30 years (well over 100 units of two types of insulin twice-three times a day).  During his pre-op diet and since the surgery he has gone days where he doesnt have to take any insulin and on the days he does, we are talking like 15-20 units once for the entire day/night.  He moves so much faster and easier now and that has also helped him manage his diabetes since for the first time in forever he is actually moving more instead of less. 

There is a good chance that you will be off of insulin after you lose weight, but you might want to look at the DS surgery as well. It has a good history of diabetes resolution.

mary

My pancress doesn't work at all. Will it start working again. Am I getting happy about something that is not going to work for me.


Iva Bircher

What is this DS Surgery? And how do you find a Dr. that does it?


Iva

Iva,

My understanding is that weight loss surgery will not fix your diabetes.  According to a couple of studies I read the resulting weight loss can result in a reduction in amount of required insulin but it is not show to cure or put type 1 into remission.   It can put type 2 diabetes into remission but as you know type 1 is a different disease all together even though it shares a name.  If weight loss for health is a goal I highly recommend the sleeve but I don't believe this is the answer for your other health issues.  Good luck.

Check out the Duodenal Switch forum here on OH and also DSFACTS.COM for info on the DS. I would suggest researching both the sleeve and the DS extensively before making a decision so you can decide which best fits your lifestyle and will be most beneficial for you. Best of luck with your decision.

I'm definitely not an expert, but I remember at the WLS seminar, they said that most times diabetes is "cured" on the operating table. Since I don't have diabetes, I didn't really pay that much attention to that, but you might want to research it, as the other people on her suggested.

my aunt is 60 and had the sleeve surgery and the day after surgery her doc said no more insulin, it was cured....type 1 diabetic.  I was shocked!!  She is now 6 mos out and is doing great and feeling great!!!  The only thing she complained of was being very tired 1-2 weeks out but that is it!!  I am hoping to get the sleeve soon!  Good luck to you in your decision :)

Which surgery did she have? The sleeve or the DS.