Hi!
I am new to the forums.  
I am hoping I can get help from those of you who have had the surgery to reverse the surgery.

I am a little confused as I don't have much weight to lose but I am diabetic and my BMI is high and my dr. has suggested having the surgery. 
I have a friend *****cently had the surgery but not diabetic and she tells me not to do it.  
I was also put on metphormine and it makes me very sick I can't take it.
Thanks for all of your help

Congrats on your decision to seek more information. 

The answer to your question really is - it depends.  If you are a Type 2 diabetic and have been diagnosed for under about 10-15 years, the chances are very good that your blood sugars will normalize after the surgery.

If you are Type 2 and you've been diabetic for longer than 10-15 years, you will likely reduce your medicines, but may not see your diabetes go away.

If you are Type 1 or Type 1.5, you will likely see some reductions in your medicines but you will not stop using insulin now or ever, because your pancreas does not make enough to cover your needs.

So, a lot depends on what type you have, how long you've had it, and how well/ir your pancreas still makes insulin. 

As to your second point about your friend's experience, I can only tell you that having surgery is a very PERSONAL and INDIVIDUAL decision that each person needs to consider.  I believe that is why the pre-surgical process is fairly rigorous and requires a significant time commitment - to learn, to consider, to evaluate whether this is for you.  Some people think that surgery is the EASY way to control your weight - and I think anyone here who has had WLS will tell you that it is FAR from easy.  It requires time, willingness to change yourself and a lifelong commitment to addressing any behaviors and attitudes that get in your way.  Perhaps your friend wasn't fully prepared for that? 

I'd suggest you learn more about all of this by doing what you are doing - reading posts and message boards.  Have you been to an information session about WLS yet?  If not, that is also a very good place to start.  Learn as much as you can.  Listen to people who have had it.  Read about it.  Become an expert.  Then, you will know if you are ready and willing to do what is needed to be successful.

As for me, I thought about WLS for 9 years before have RNY in September 2011.  I am a Type 1.5 diabetic for almost 26 years and did it to address my long-term health.  I have been able to reduce some of my insulin, get off of some oral medications, and I do believe I am moving in the right direction to lengthen and strengthen my health.  This is not about numbers of a scale for me - it's about numbers on my glucometer.  Some days they are much improved; other days they are not.  But, I am 100% glad that I had the surgery, I have lost about 70 pounds so far, and realize that it's an every day thing.  I was, and am, prepared for the work that it takes to be successful at this.

Please post additional questions, thoughts, etc.  Remember that, in the end, this is a decision that is for and about YOU - and your health.  

Good luck!

 Hi Thank you for your reply.
I am a type 2 diabetic, I've been diagnosed with it for about 10 years now.  I had always been diet controlled until the beginning of the year when my A1C soared to 8.9 and I gained weight.  Then I was put on medication and like I mentioned in my original post the meds make me sick.  I have since lost about 18 lbs and my A1C has dropped to 6.5.  However I am terrified of having to go back on meds. as I have to pretty much stop my life because I am vomiting, dizzy and just in a bad mood all the time I was on meds.  I weigh 183. as of this morning..ugh!!  and I am 5' tall.

I have been reading a lot and more importantly I have spoke to a woman who had the procedure done she has been very helpful as well.  

I have made my mind and I think I am ready to make the changes.  I have been following a diet plan very similar to the pre-op one I was given at the WLS meetings.  

I have been to the Overwiew,orientation,physical, nutritional and some other class I forget what it's called.  I have my phyc. evaluation tomorrow Thursday and I see the surgeon in July.

I am glad to hear that is procedure is working for you.

 From what I've read it's been positive for people with diabetes.  I know it's a very hard change but I rather change my eating habits than to lose time with my family because I am on medication and it makes me sick.  I am ready!!

Thanks again for your response,
G.

Wonderful!  So you are already on the road to making the decision!  That's great!

This time last summer, I was doing all the things that you are doing now, so I can fully empathize with how quickly it's all coming at you.  For me, each step seemed more affirming than discouraging, so that is how I knew I was moving in the right direction for me.

One thing - do you have an endocrinologist?  If not, I'd like to recommend that you consider a consult.  Likely they will require that you have one anyway, given that you have had diabetes for 10 years.  Things do change and likely you'll need to have your sugars and hbA1c monitored.

Here's the cool/strange/awesome thing, blood sugars in someone like you may very well normalize right away - I mean right away after surgery.  I had spectacular blood sugars on the day of surgery and the day after, but as soon as I started drinking water - up they went.  But, I really am more of a Type 1 diabetic and knew that it would happen.  I was just surprised by the results I had on the day of surgery!

Here's what has happened for me in terms of my meds - off Byetta, Lantus dose is down by about half, Novolog (short acting insulin) has increased to better cover meal times, metformin down by half to 500 mg twice a day (I tolerate it fine, but I know many that don't), off actos and amaryl completely.  I also went off my cholesterol meds and, for about 6 months, off blood pressure drugs too.  My bp has crept up a bit, so back on it now - which is fine.

I'm down about 70-72 pounds and about 20 pounds from goal.  Weight loss is much slower now, but it's all good.  ALL of it - is good. 

Keep me posted please.  Any idea of when you might be scheduled for surgery, if you proceed?

 I see the surgeon July 16th so I am assuming that any time in August.    I am hoping that I too can get off the blood pressure meds.  
I do have an endocrinologist.  My reg. Dr. is very good I do get my blood work done every 3 months.  I just wish I could do it sooner because of my work schedule.  
I will keep you posted.

OMG!  You are doing very well.  70lbs. is a lot.  Congratulations!!!!

thanks so much.  Yes, I had about 90-100 pounds to lose, so 70 feels good.  I've also been measuring inches, and so far 41 off - almost 12 inches off my hips alone.  I'd recommend that you do a good set of measurements before your surgery and track that about once a month.  Sometimes when the scale isn't moving as much as you'd like, the inches are flying off. 

It comes off in a strange kind of way, so be ready for that.  In the beginning, I was losing about a pound every 3-4 days, and that happened for a few months.  Then, things start to slow down.  I have plateaus that last for about 6 weeks where virtually nothing happens.  If I start upping my protein significantly, then it suddenly breaks, and about 8-10 pounds come off fast.  And then everything stops again.  It freaked me out at first, but I know it's just how my body works with all of this, so now I don't freak about it.

I'm not sure what will happen with this final push of 20-30 pounds, but I'm also not worrying a lot about it.  I am open to wherever my body takes me, and where it stops.  It will be ok.  I really do care more about my blood sugar than the scale.

The one thing that seems so crazy is how quickly your sizes change, so be ready for that.  I don't know how much you have to lose, but I have gone through about 5 sizes so far and sometimes, pants don't really fit for more than about 3 weeks.  People say, "Oh, isn't shopping so fun?" and I don't find that it is at all.  I'm always looking for something that will be functional but not expensive because I don't know how long it will last..  I am now out of plus sizes and I found that a bit overwhelming.  I'd gotten so good at knowing what fit me in that area, that transitioning over to a whole new part of the store was a little much at first.  But, I'm figuring it out.  I'm about a 14 or 16 petite now - who the heck ever thought I'd need PETITIES?  Sheesh.

So glad this is coming together for you.  Just do what they tell you and don't try to deviate.  That is critical and will help ensure your success long-term!

 I have way over 50lbs. to lose..  If I followed the Dr.'s charts probably 70.  I am 5' and weigh 184.  with a BMI of 35.9.  
Wish me luck as I see the phych. today.

I am also very excited to have found out that my insurance will cover everything.  I thought I would have to pay 500.00 for every night I spend in the hospital, but I don't.  
Thanks for your support.

 Update:  I had my phych. evaluation yesterday evening.  It went better than I thought.  I think that because I've been seeing a dietitian for the past 4 months and following a meal plan very similar to the one the bariatric dietitian gives us, he didn't really ask questions.  So 4 appointments down, and way more to come..  I look at it like a step closer to having a healthier life.
G.

I had RNY on 2/15/2012 and am very happy with the results. While it is great to lose weight, the reason I had bypass surgery was because my type 2 diabetes was catching up with me. My A1c was creeping up, I was on 2 oral medications, my kidneys numbers were starting to get worse (both of my parents were on dialysis before they died), I had a fatty liver, I was on medication for high blood pressure and high cholesterol, and I had, at age 47, moderate arthritis in my knees. It was getting very depressing. When I left the hospital after surgery I was taken off all medications except my antidepressant to see how I was doing. My diabetes didn't go into remission immediately like some do, but my numbers have dropped steadily. The last few weeks my fasting has been around 95 and my blood pressure is normal. Best wishes!

 Oh my goodness Jackie, getting of the meds is great.  Congratulations!!!  I hope that I too can get off all those medications.  I am anxious yet nervous to get it done.  I am still undecided whether to ask for a sleeve surgery instead of the RNY.  What surgery did you have done?

Congrats to both of you on your success!!  I had about 100 pounds to lose (BMI was a little over 42) and have lost about 70 so far.

That's great about the psych eval.  Mine was also a breeze - it was actually very affirming and helpful. 

Great news for you too, Jackie. 

Thanks! I had RNY. I am so happy to have good numbers. Even if it's not permanent (who knows?), it's nice to have a break from the progression of that ugly disease.

 I agree having the disease in remission is the best part of this procedure.
Keep us posted on how you do.  I am anxious to know when my procedure will be and the type of surgery I'll have.

 I had my RNY on 06/05/2012.  I went in for it because of my diabetes - so I guess weight loss is a welcome side effect.  I have at least a hundred pounds to lose, but that's secondary in my mind.  I have been shooting insulin for 22 years.  When I got out of the hospital, my lantus was decreased and then again yesterday when I saw my endocrinologist.  I am taking 0 - 7 units of humalog a day now which is a fraction of what I was taking before.  My doc gave me instructions for decreasing the lantus further in the future and said that he wouldn't be surprised if I get off insulin entirely at some point.  Personally, I will be shocked if that happens. 
I just wanted to say that I think you should be careful with the metformin and byetta.  They did their job on me, but also made me sick.  I ended up in the hospital with kidney failure from dehydration. When they took me off those meds,. my blood sugar levels shot up. 
So here I am now on this adventure.  Keep us posted...

 You are doing great.  I too hope you come off the meds sooner than later. 

I actually only took the meds for about one week then I started exercising and I have been following  the pre-op diet for 4 months now.  My A1C went from 8.9 to 6.5 in 3 months without medication.  
I am exited about starting my new journey and hopefully put diabetes in remission for many,many years.

Hi there, congrats on your decision to move forward with WLS and welcome to the forum! 

Phillygirl gave you some great advice and information!  Adding to that. . . . . you questioned RNY or sleeve for diabetes control. . .RNY or DS (duodenal switch) both cause metabolic changes with your GLP-1 that affect the changes in your diabetes.  The sleeve does not, so though the sleeve would certainly assist you in weight loss, it would not metabolically assist you with putting your diabetes into remission.  I would suggest discussing this in depth with your surgeon.

I'm a Type 2 diabetic for 6 years now, got the LapBand in 2006, lost 100 lbs, off meds IMMEDIATELY after surgery, and diabetes in remission until 2008 when I had plastic surgery, developed horrendous acid reflux and had to have my band unfilled.  Re-gain of 50 lbs and diabetes back with a vengence, way worse than before.  Finally, 4 weeks ago I was able to have my LapBand removed and revised to a RNY.

Now, I am down 29 lbs and off Metformin XR, but still taking daily Victoza shots.  However, my sugars have dropped from 280-300+ (fasting) to an average of 123-145 (fasting).  As you can see, my diabetes did not immediately go into remission this time; however, look how fast my numbers have come down!  I am hoping that in a few more weeks, I will be off of the Victoza too, and my diabetes will be strictly diet-controlled and back in remission.  

One of the things discussed at our support group was how some insurance companies are now covering diabetics with a BMI of as low as 35 to have RNY to put their diabetes in remission.  Apparently there are also talks going on to even lower the BMI range to allow more diabetics to have the surgery in the future.  How amazing is it, that although it is not a "cure", having this surgery could potentially put diabetes into remission for thousands and thousands of people?!?!?  I can't even wrap my head around how many lives could be saved. 

I just put some pics up on my profile, and have a few blogs about how my surgery went, you are welcome to take a look if you are interested, or you can message me directly if you would like. 

Best of luck to you!!!!

 WOW!  You are doing great.  I am glad the surgery went well for you.  I am just excited to get it over with and start my new diabetes free days.  
Thanks for sharing your pictures.  And thanks for all of the info you gave me, it's all so helpful.
G.

So glad to see the shared experiences and wisdom from all of you!  I think, as diabetics, we are faced with certain challenges in all of this.  Even for a type 1 like me, I see improvements.  I have been able to get rid of a lot of my oral meds and I think I am getting more out of my insulin.  Over all, though, I am healthier.  I know that.  I used to have ankle swelling every summer and I haven't had a BIT of that this year.  So many things....

I choose to see my diabetic management as a complement to my WLS management - keep my carbs down, eat only at mealtimes without grazing, taking my meds (and supplements) on schedule, charting my carbs/pairing them with insulin dosing - all of these things are good health practics.  I practiced them before surgery, but now I get to see pounds come off, which was impossible before. 

There was a type 2 diabetic woman who had RNY the same day as me.  I ran into her at our 3 month follow up visit, and she was talking about eating chocolate cake.  Her diabetes had been resolved by the surgery, so she was eating whatever she wanted, albeit in reduced portions.  I get it - I love chocolate cake too - but I just couldn't fathom doing that so soon.  I'm 9 months out now and I don't try that stuff.  Sometimes a TASTE, but even that is super rare.  Who needs it?  It took me 9 years to make this decision, and I just don't want to start allowing myself to think (then behave) in ways that are self destructive for me.  I just don't want to go there.  It ALL takes discipline.  One of the reasons I was told that I'd be very successful at this was because I have discipline after 25+ years of being diabetic.  So, today at least, I choose to see my diabetes as a blessing that helps me stay focused.

Please keep posting - I think it's great that we are able to have these conversations!

I had RNY on June 27, 2012.  I came home Fri. and on Sun. my sugar shot over 300 (had been running in the 200's since surgery).  It stayed over 300 all day Sun. and Mon.  Called my Dr. and he told me to start taking 15 u. of Lantus at bedtime.  This morning it was 286.  At lunchtime it had shot up to 409!!!  A nurse from the hospital called me and she said anytime your body goes through stress (such as surgery) it will go up.  She said not to get discouraged and continue doing what I'm suppose to do.  She said it WILL eventually level out and hopefully go away.

She made me feel better because I was really getting discouraged.  I was hoping to come home without diabetes!!!  I guess my body is just having a hard time adjusting.  I am taking a LOT LESS insulin too.  Hopefully things will get better soon.

Yes, absolutely - give it time though.  My insulin needs have changed continually over the last 9 months.  I was on 39 Lantus just before surgery, then 25 after (with not great sugars).  I'm now on 14 units per day and that is a very recent change.  I've upped my meal time insulin more, but that gives me tighter control over mealtimes, especially now that my basal (lantus) insulin is correct. 

The issue of stress is very real and it will take a bit before you level out again.  But, try to be patient.  It's hard, because there is so much energy and thought that goes into the surgery, and then we all want immediate results.  (I came home from the hospital 10 pounds more than I went in and I thought I was going to freak out!!)  When my mom passed away at the end of 2009, I couldn't get my sugars down no matter how little I ate and how much insulin I took.  Stress, stress, stress - a few weeks later, it DID settle down. 

Just take this a bit at a time.  In a few months, everything will have changed a LOT!! 

Keep posting, good luck and congrats on being through the surgery!