Update plus some upsetting news for me (kinda long)

Hey everyone,
It has been a while since I posted but here goes nothing. I am so excited that I only have 2 Kaiser Options classes left. I did my ultrasound yesterday and then today my EKG and blood work. I can't believe that it is almost the end of my classes. I did my seminar and I am definitely going with Pacific Bariatrics...

I did however find out some bad news today. I actually broke down in tears. I did my blood work and by the time I got home I had a ton of results waiting. I looked at them all carefully and they were all pretty good. I had a few concerns and emailed my doctor. On my liver function test the bilirubin was a little elevated but nothing to worry about according to my doctor(he emailed me right back). The other test result that I wasn't ready for was the fasting glucose. I didn't eat from 7pm last night until 1130 am today once the test was done. I was told to fast for 14 hours. My result was 101 and normal is 70-99. My doctor emailed me back and confirmed my initial reaction. I am a pre-diabetic. He also said that surgery would take care of it but in the mean time he would order me a glucometer and have me start testing my blood sugar.

I just don't know what to do. I see a diabetic nurse tomorrow on my own accord and signed up for the pre-diabetic class at preventative medicine. I just want to make sure that in the time before my surgery I don't develop full blown diabetes. I guess it hits me so hard since I have been for the most part pretty healthy just asthma and osteoarthritis and more than likely PCOS.

Well any who thanks for listening I just needed to vent it out. I don't want to cry over this anymore and it almost seems silly to cry over it but that was my reaction.

Thanks for all of the continued support and I do know it isn't the end of the world...

Nathalie

Hi Nathalie,

I cried when I was diagnosed with diabetes. It sucks to have this disease, but your number is so borderline I am surprised they're recommending you get a meter. My husband had a fasting glucose level of 99 and they didn't put him on a meter or tell him to take classes. Also, the standard used to be anything under 120 was OK for a fasting blood sugar. I know diabetes is serious, but I think an overreaction by your doctor might be taking place especially with your surgery coming up. Before surgery I was taking 3 meds, now I am on two and I am taking a lot less. My blood tests are just on the borderline now and I go in for an appointment this Wednesday where I am probably going to be told to go off my meds.

If they're really serious too, they should be testing what's called your A1c. A1c measures glucose levels in your body over a 3-4 month period. The goal for diabetics is to be in a range of 6-7. I was 6.1 just 2 months after surgery, but was high as 10.8 a year ago. Normal is below 6.  I have a very strong feeling I'll be in the normal range.

I don't think you'll develop pre-diabetes before the surgery, especially if you're trying to change your habits before surgery.  It is good that you're taking a diabetes preventative class. The way you'll eat on a diabetic diet is very similar to a gastric bypass diet. Lots of lean protein, small amount fruit, vegetables, some carbs (rice is awful on blood sugar), nuts, and good fats. When I found out that I wouldn't be forbidden from enjoying food, I was OK, but still scared of the health implications.

I think you'll be fine. Don't let people scare you. I wish I had the fasting number is did before surgery.

Take Care,

MsBlues

Hi,
I know that my number is borderline but I have a feeling that my doctor is being cautious because of family history and what not. He did also state once I have surgery it will clear up on its own. He just wants me to monitor to make sure nothing is going wacky. I wanted to take the diabetes classes so that I at least know what is going on and how to deal with it. I want to be as informed about everything as I can be.

Thanks again for the response.

Nathalie

I was in the midst of my 6-month diet for my insurance when my doc said my labs indicated I was becoming prediabetic in July or August 2008. I didn't have my WLS until April 3, 2009. They didn't prescribe a glucometer or put me on meds.

With my diabetic mother, Kaiser has always been very proactive about getting her new glucometers frequently. Probably too frequently. But it is evidently something they feel contributes to their bottom line -- more people with well controlled diabetes means less medical costs they have to pay out later.

You could try controlling your prediabetes with your diet up until your WLS. Ask your doc about that.

I looked at my prediabetes diagnosis as further proof I needed WLS. It helped me get over any question about I had about whether I should just quit pursuing the surgery and lose weight the "hard way."

I had dodged diabetes for 30 years of being obese. (Everytime I saw a doctor they asked if I was diabetic from age 16 on.) I felt incredibly lucky I was so far down the path toward surgery.

(((HUGS)))

Thanks for the response and now that it has finally set in I do see it as another reason to have surgery. I do have kaiser and they seem to be very proactive on everything. It is just that almost everyone in my family has it or eventually gets it and i was one of the few "lucky" ones. I just thought it was a path I would never have to go down...

Thanks again for the response.

Nathalie

I became a diabetic before I had surgery, my levels were in the 500's when they first found out, and I had many symptoms.  I don't know who told you 70-99 was normal. but I was told, 90-110 is normal.  There is no such thing as pre diabetic.  Just continue on a high protein low carb diet and you won't have any problems with your sugars.  Remember, when diabetic your pancreas is no working correctly.  Simple to think of it this way, God gave us so much insulin which is produced by the pancreas, when you overwork the pancreas creating insulin because you have downed too many sugars and carbs, you are going to have sugar problems and more than likely just run out of insulin.  I had PCOS, asthma and osteroarthritis and right now my body is paying for being overweight for so many years.  It's falling apart at the joints.  Anyway, do not worry about this diabetic thing that is within normal range.  Your doctor is right....two weeks after surgery, no more diabetic meds and no blood pressure meds.  The surgery will rid of you of that problem.  Just do yourself a favor now and eat 6 small meals a day of high protein lower carb foods.  Your body will love you for it, and your sugar levels will reflect it.

Good luck, Diane

Thank you for the response. I am simply going by what my doctor told me on being pre-diabetic. I signed up for the classes on my own since if I am borderline diabetic then I want to know as much as I can before I am a true diabetic. My doctor may just be being cautious on getting the glucometer but I will follow my doctors orders and I know in the end it will be ok.

Nathalie

Nathalie,

Please don't cry!  I had type II diabetes where I was dependent on meds.  within 4 months of surgery, my blood sugar was normal with no more meds of any kind (other than my allergy pill and my asthma preventive inhaler.)  My PCP is an endocrinologist who specializes in diabetes, he says any blood sugars under 120 are fine for a diabetic.  Like everyone has said, focus on high protein, forget juices of any type and sugared sodas.  The rest will be just fine.

Hugs,
Barb

thank you for your kind words and I have stopped crying. It was just the initial shock and then hearing I had to start testing my blood sugars. I think it was more fear than anything. As of right now I only drink water. I figured if I cant have it post op so why not stop now and get used to not having it.

Thanks again

Nathalie

I wouldn't worry AT ALL.  Why you say?  Mine registered 101 in November of 2006.  My doctor and I didn't think it was a problem I jus****ched my diet etc and I was already about to enter the Options program.  My bloodwork just before surgery in October 2007 I was back in the normal range.  Since my VSG I have been in the mid 80's normal range ever since.  I too have a history, both my mother and father have diabetes.

It scared me too because of my history and it just solidified that I needed to do something before it got out of control.