Question:
Healing problems?
I have been trying to get approved for about 9 months now. I have everything but my final doctor visit. I have been working with my insurance and they have sent me several packets of info regarding the surgery and afterwards. During all this time I have been diagnosed with hypothyroidism and had to wait until that was under control. I actually gained weight once my thyroid was controlled...Yeah huh. I have PCOS and last month my OB/GYN scheduled an emergency hysterectomy. I have battled two infections because of my diabetes. My question is, if I go forward and get the bypass surgery, my insurance has said that with all the hoops/and prep I have done I am virtually guaranteed, will I have as much problem with healing. I had a full hysterectomy and one ovary removed and they did a full surgical incision. I am over 5 weeks out and still have 2 holes in my abdomen. I realize that the surgery would be lap and not a full incision but any wound can have trouble healing, has anyone with diabetes had trouble with wound healing after surgery? The reason I ask is that I have read that many people after surgery had their diabetes get much better. With that kind of improvement will it increase wound healing and decrease the probability of infection? I am at the point where I am considering not having the surgery even though I have put this much time and effort into getting it. I guess I just need to know that if I were to have issues with wound healing, would it still be worth it? Grace — Grace C. (posted on June 21, 2008)
June 21, 2008
Grace,
It comes down to one thing. Your choice. For me, it was an answer to alot
of my problems. I had insulin dependent diabetes, HBP, Thyroid issues,
Sleep Apnea, the meds I was on for all the illnesses was causing my weight
to increase rapidly which caused my diabetes to get worse. I had the RNY
and when I left the hospital 8 days later, I was no longer on any meds for
diabetes or HBP. I had no problems at all with healing.
On the other hand, my husband had the same surgery three years ago, and 3
weeks post op developed a major infection in the incision area and they had
to reopen his wound and place him on a wound vac for approximately 4
months. He was topping out at 375 lbs. and is now at 260 lbs with no meds.
He was also severe diabetic. Would he make the same choice again? Yes.
RNY has saved our lives. There is no doubt. I wish you well.
— Breathin4him
June 21, 2008
I understand your concern. I had a major operation not related to WLS when
I was 22 and had a very difficult time healing and have severe scarring. I
am pursuing gastric bypass and this would be my 2nd major surgery and I am
very concerned about healing. I am diabetic but not on insulin. I have
the same concerns but I am trying to look at the big picture of my overall
health and the benefits I will gain from WLS.
— psturgill
June 21, 2008
Hi, Grace I do not have diabetes, but i too have a hard time healing, I
have had celulitas open wounds having to pack them in the past. I also had
a hysterectomy in 2006 and ended up going to the emergency room 2 weeks
after to have it reopened because of the infection (celulitas) I was in the
hospital for 6 more days trying to fight the infection I went home with A 4
inch wide about 3 or so inches deep owey that had to be packed until it
healed a couple of months later. My doctor is aware of this and he has told
me that he will try not to do my RYN open because of the healing problems
he said he does not see a problem as long as we are careful. I know that
having diabetes it is different but I wanted u to know that I am going
forward with the surgery because i know i would rather be uncomfortable for
a few extra months then remain the way i am now. God Bless you and i will
keep u in my prayers Tammi
— Tammi Sandoval
June 21, 2008
I am 62 years old and had diabities for 25 years. Everyone said it would
not do me much good, but my sergeon would not promise, but had high hopes
there would be an improvement if not a total correction. I was concerned
because I was on pills and Insulin. I took pills to cure the effects of
other pill I took. I had High Blood Pressure, 5 stents, High Colestroal
and the last blow for me was the recomendation from my heart doctor, saying
there was a high risk for me having the surgery, but he would estimate that
without drastic weight loss it would be only 3-5 years before I would pass.
Pass what? Then it struct me, he was telling my surgeon, that I was going
to die if I did not have it so go ahead and good luck. I had the surgery
on my 62nd birthday, and was nervious for a month before, but did
everything they told me. I broke three bones in my foot, but they could
notoperate because they knew my foot would not heal. I asked the same
question you ask of my sergeon, and he told me they would seal the wounds
with what would look like crazy glue to me. They would not use stitches on
the outside. There would be a small rain tube, that would be removed
before I went home, and I could watch the glue it up. I did fine with the
surgery, but I had a hard time getting my blood oxygen levels up, so they
kept me for 5 days. Everyone else went home the next afternoon after
surgery. I stayed on oxygen, and they came every 6 hours and gave me
insulin shots. I heard one of the younger patients on the phone before she
went home telling her freind he blood suger was normal the next day and she
was told not to take any medication for diabities, and here I was getting
shots as usual. When I went home they told me to try and control it with
pills, but to test 5 times a day and log the results. For the first two
weeks, I was in the 150's waking up and as high as 180 during the day. one
week three I got up one morning and I was 110, and that day I was a high of
125, the next day 100, and the following morning 85. They told me to drop
about half the drugs, but I continued to be 85-95 in the morning, so every
day I drop another drug. After 4 weeks, we could not get me over 100, so
they pulled all the diabitic drugs, and I have never taken anything since.
That was January 15th, 2008. A week later, I bent over in a store to tie
my shoes, something I could not reach before surgery, and when I came
upright, I blacked out. That was the end of the Blood Pressure medication.
Today I have blood pressure of 100/55 and a pulse of 55 in the morning
with a high during the day of maybe 65. My A1C comes back 5.6 now, and I
never could bet below 7.0. My total colestroal is 95 and it use to be 300
with medication. Two weeks ago, I cut my foot, swiming on some shells, and
I when right away to my foot doctor and he was concerned because it was
about 5" long and somewhat deep. A week later he check it agan and it
was healing well without stitches. Totay it is totaly healed. I took
months to get over a blister tw year ago on my foot. All I can say is it
is your decision, but I would have RNY WLS today if I had to do it over. I
have lost 120 Lbs. People that have not seem me in 6 months walk right
past me. I love going to see freinds that I have not seen since surgery
and knocking on their doors and realizing here is another person that is
expecting me and does not reconize me. Go to a support group meeting and
talk to others that have had RNY WLS and see what they have to say about
their experences. I don't think you would find anyone that would not tell
you to forget the insurace companies comments. By the way, I had approval
from my insurance comapny, but my doctor changed hospitals, so they would
not cover it when I went to have the surgery. It cost me 25,000.00 and I
still would pay it all over again. I can't go on a real vacation this
year, or replace my car, but I will be here next year to do thoses things
then. Best of success to you.
— William (Bill) wmil
June 21, 2008
I have diabetes and I was insulin bound and had lap band 4-16-08. The
insulin went two days after surgery (oral meds now) but I had no problem
healing at the incision sites at all. I have had two knee replacements and
metal rods and screws in my back and I have always heal with no problems
and the surgeons were surprised because of the diabetes. I figured if I
did, in the long run, it would be something the doctors could repair, and
my health would be better if I have the surgery. I would do my surgery all
over in a heartbeat,, but sooner...Good Luck
— dyates2948
June 21, 2008
Thanks everyone for your help. I know the final decision is mine, but am
eternally grateful for the input I get here. I have told my Mom that after
all the trouble I am having healing I was doubting having the surgery. She
said good, she was never very supportive to begin with. I told a friend of
mine who also had expressed doubts when I told him I was getting it. His
response surprised me though, he said that I was "too close" to
it right now. I still have two open wounds that have to be packed every
day. He said I should wait until I heal completely before making that kind
of decision.
He was right. I have been bouncing back and forward but I believe that
once I heal and give myself time I will move forward with the bypass. I am
just glad that I have not contacted my surgeon and told him to take me off
the list. I would hate to have to start over again.
— Grace C.
June 21, 2008
Hi, I read your question, and want to give you some info about surgery. I
had RNY (Roux-en-Y) Gastric Bypass on 02/1/2008. This isurgery,
specifically cures over 90% of people with Type 2 Diabetes. CURES them.
Most people see a complete eversal or a dramatic decrease in their blood
sugar levels within 2 weeks of surgery. Doctors were wondering why it cured
diabetes so fat, after all, patients have not lost a huge amount of weight
by 2 weeks post-op.... An Italian Doctor decided to do research on it, and
found it is not simply weight loss. He found that it is because what they
do with this surgery to the small intestine, (the Duodenum). When they cut
the duodenum during the surgery, (They attach it to the new stomach pouch),
the research found it causes a change in the body that cures Type 2
Diabetes. I don't know the specifics because I can't remember what they
said it does exactly, but anyway, I watched a piece on it on the show 60
Minutes with Leslie Stahl. They interviewed that Italian Doctor and another
Doctor. The Italian Doctor said they are hoping to eventually develop a
similar surgery, not for weight loss, but just to cure Type 2 Diabetes even
in peopl who are not obese. The interviewer, Leslie Stahl, asked the other
Doctor, she asked, "Gastric Bypass surgery CURES Diabetes?", and
the Doctor responded, "yes, CURES."
Lap-Band and other types of weight loss surgery do not cure Type 2
Diabetes. I strongly encourage you to have this surgery. You will never
again have to worry about an incision healing because you won't be a
Diabetic anymore.......
You are going to have Laproscopic Surgery too, so that will heal faster and
eaiser. I had open surgery myself... I was borderline Diabetic, had
Gestational Diabetes when pregnant, and a strong family history of
Diabetes. My fasting blood sugar was anywhere from 114 - 132 before
surgery. Now, my fasting blood sugar runs between 90 - 104.
I am so thankful, and grateful that I got to have Gastric Bypass surgery,
to lose weight, be healthy, and never again have to worry about Diabetes. I
feel so bad for people who don't have insurance and can't afford it, like
my Mother-in-law. She is in Egypt, (she is Egyptian) and has uncontrolled
Type 2 Diabetes. Her fasting blood glucose is over 200. They don't do this
surgery there as far as I know, and insurance is almost unheard of there.
You have been fortunate enough to have this opportunity. You are going to
be so glad you had the surgery, and will be so much healthier. God bless.
— Gina S.
June 22, 2008
I am (or WAS) a diabetic. I have had the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy and
not the Gastric Bypass, but the weight loss surgery has turned my disease
around. As long as I follow the STRICT dietary guidelines put down my
NUTRITIONIST of eating a certain amount of PROTEIN and CARBOHYDRATE with
each meal and NOT EXCEEDING those amounts, I have NO problems with my
diabetes!
I would highly recommend that anyone that has had weight loss surgery speak
with a Nutritionist that is familiar with weight loss surgeries and then
follow the advice given by them to help alleviate their blood sugar
problems and thirst issues. They may also want to speak with a physician.
Let me preface this by saying that I am not a medical expert. I am just a
weight loss patient. I was taking 70 to 80 units of insulin daily and 4
pills of glucovance 5/500 prior to having the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy
performed on me on the first of March. In only 3 WEEKS I had to DROP all of
my diabetes medications! It didn't happen all at once. I kept gradually
reducing my dosage as needed until I was down to only ONE pill of
glucovance. Finally, at the end of 3 weeks my blood sugar had dropped down
to 53 points in one day! I HAD to stop taking ALL of my diabetes
medications! My blood sugars after a meal are now running about 113/140
points which are a little high for NORMAL but are still in NORMAL range.
With the advent of MORE weight loss, I should get closer to normal blood
sugar levels. I also suffered from FibroMyalgia, Arthritis, Migraines.
Chronic Fatigue, Spastic Colon and Chronic Diarrhea. The Spastic Colon and
Chronic Diarrhea have been resolved by the surgery. The FibroMyalgia,
Arthritis, Migraines and chronic Fatigue have all been improved to one
degree or another by the surgery and the resultant weight loss. The
Arthritis was relieved almost completely almost immediately. The
FibroMyalgia has not been fully resolved but has improved significantly.
The same can be said for the Migraines. My Chronic Fatigue has GREATLY
improved. I have MUCH more energy now than I did before. I have lost 76
pounds since March 1. My surgeon and my physicians are looking forward to
watching the improvements in health as I lose the weight.
I had recently been given a shot of steroids for an injury to my knee. This
had thrown my blood sugar levels off some. When I had first gotten the
shot, my blood sugar levels shot up into the 300's. They occasionally crept
up to around 200. I had started taking ONE pill of glucovance on occasion
when I noticed that my blood sugar levels had started creeping up again. I
did NOT have to take the pill every day, just occasionally. The longer I
was without the steroid shot, the less often I will needed the glucovance
until I no longer needed it again. I am once again FREE of the blood sugar
medications. Hopefully, when I reach my GOAL in about 70 pounds or so, I
will not NEED the occasional booster when I get steroid shots. Hopefully,
by then, I won't NEED the steroid shots!
I have done some research and posted it on my Profile page. You can find it
at http://www.obesityhelp.com/member/hubarlow/ .
I hope this helps,
Hugh
— hubarlow
June 22, 2008
I was typeII diabetic...I had my last insulin shot in the hospital after
surgery and never had a high again that I know of...My HGB A1C is still
perfect 4 years later...I had open RNY and healed fine with minor
complications from latex surgical strips they glued to my skin. I had a
bad allergic reaction to them and the glue...and then my staple line got
infected because of the latex...but I went in and they took the strips off
for me and a little neosporin on the reaction site and all was fine...It
took me 6 months to heal though, from the surgery...and another 6 months
before I felt NO pain at all...so it was a very long recovery, but no
infections or major problems...just slow healing inside...They rarely do
open RNY these days anyway...so that's quite a plus for you...Good luck...I
hope you find yourself healthy and happy...with whatever decision you
make...
— .Anita R.
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