Help, I could get a toaster for this!

So *MY* question is - the medical community has known FOR TWENTY YEARS that there is a surgical solution for diabetes, and yet we still have to fight tooth and nail to get it approved.  WTF?   When is this going to be accepted and known to the general public?    That's TWENTY YEARS of diabetes many people have had to suffer through for no reason.   --BT Seriously!  And many have died due to diabetes when it could have possibly been avoided.  How sad! 

Ditto!  How much longer will it take?   It must be driven by the almighty dollar.  If you can cure diabetes with surgery, what will happen with all those expensive diabetes meds, researchers and facilities, fund raisers, etc...?  I guess there is a whole industry driven by diabetes that will suffer.   Although it's doesn't make sense to me, the medical insurance industry must have determined that it's cheaper to finance a diabetic patient for a few years, until they are dead, than to pay for this one-time surgery. Sad, very sad.

Diana and BT filled in on the technicalities of the Diabetes question, and I second what Diana describes for poo.  It is NOTHING like the experiences with Xenical, which has one trotting after every meal.  This is not the case with the DS.  As you've heard several times before, a couple times in the morning is usually all we do.

I am a DS non diabetic as of 9/25/2007. I walked out of the hospital OFF OF ALL DIABETIC MEDICATION.
I had the DS at 54 years old.
I had been a diabetic on three 850 mg Metforman and two GLYBURIDE pills daily.
I had been a diabetic for 14 years.
Four times a day, I tested the blood sugar on me for a month after I got out of the hospital, because I could not believe I could eat ANYTHING and not get a high blood sugar count!
My 65 year old brother, on insulin, diabetic pills and Byetta is going in for the DS on Feb 2, 2008. I will let you know how his diabetes goes. June 28. 2006
    I took this survey for my own information here on OH.
I asked these (5.) questions and 33 people answered them.
1.) What surgery did you have?
2.) When?
3.) What doctor and state?
4.) Do you still have diabetes?
5.) Is it better if not gone completely?

100% of the 8 people that had the Duodenal Switch say they are no longer diabetic. This means no medication and no food restrictions.

24 RNYs and 1 LapBand answered. (25 total.)

72% or 18 said they were still diabetic on about half of former medication. Much improved but not in remission. Must exercize, watch carbs and no sugar. (One RNYer of the 18 said for her there had been zero improvement at time of survey. She had to start using Byetta again and start using huge doses of fast-acting insulin after her surgery.)

28% or 7 RNYs said they are not on medication any more, but, must exercise, watch carbs and no sugar.

Very interesting study Deborah.  Thank you. 

When I saw my primary a couple of months ago she said "if" diabetes could be cured I'd be considered cured. I haven't taken any meds since Jan, '07 and my numbers are always low. Sometimes too low & I have to eat something. I am sooooo happy with my DS.

You've already received so many excellent replies about the diabetes, that I just wanted to comment on your friend's age and her desire to "get something done" now that she is so close. Age 58 is a perfectly good age for WLS. Most programs and insurance companies go at least to age 65, so she's no where near any cut off. Some docs will do patients over 65, though I think is is widely acknowledged that there is increased risk in the older age group. But this does NOT apply to your friend at age 58.   Now on the the get it done right away business - please, please emphasize that she will live with her decision for the rest of her life. Her chance of being rid of diabetes is much better with DS than with RNY. Does she want to live with diabetes and all it's awful sequelae for the rest of her life? What other comorbidities does she have? While both operations can lead to improvement, there is greater chance of improvement or resolution with DS. How does she feel about the risk of weight regain? This is much more of a problem with RNY than with DS, though both require committment and change for longterm success. Waiting another month of two to get the operation that will improve her health the most seems well worth it.  Larra

This really is a serious issue (the diabetes) so I just want to appologize for the topic I used.  It seems so bad now that I think about it.   Ronnie

I'll give you a toaster! And some more info.  My H had the DS for Diabetes 4 yrs ago in Spain.  His BMI was 27.  The cure was immediate and had nothing to do with diet, exercise, or weightloss.  Within 2 weeks his vision went back to 20/20 without glasses.  Most of the neuropathy in his feet resolved.  He still has cold and tingly but all the pain is gone.  He can walk and run like a normal person. Please pass this on to your friend.  The more information she has, the better decision she can make. I had to do something very hard this weekend.  I got an email from a young woman who had part of her foot amputated.  Wanting to know about the surgery.  I told her and she was so angry.  Why did they not do something about her diabetes?  Why did she have to lose part of her foot?  I couldn't give her a good answer.  The medical community has known about this for decades. You know, there are good diabetics and bad diabetics.  For some it's just some inconvenience.  Others are losing their sight and their limbs.  It's just wrong.  Wrong and unnecessary.  Doesn't have to happen.

Hi PattyL,  That is great news about your H.  That is awesome.   I don't blame that lady for being angry, I would be too.  That is so unfair to her.   Thank you, Ronnie