Diabetes and pre-op liquid diet

I take 3 meds for my diabetes: metformin, avandia and glucotrol and I am wondering if any one blood sugar level dropped severly when doing the liquid diet. If so what did you do?

I spoke with my surgeon and he suggested that I really monitor my blood sugars @ that time and if I need to eat something to do so. I am concerned that my liver my shrink but he is only requiring me to lose 10 pounds.



Sheila

I had the same problem with my pre-op diet.  My pcp recommended keeping skim milk on hand -- protein -- apple juice (it raises your blood sugar more gradually than orange juice does) and/or orange juice (if you have a really bad drop).  After surgery, you will even out because some or not all of your medicines should be reduced and/or eliminated.  It is hell for now, though.

Good luck -- monitor a lot more than you normally would.

Lenore

Thanks from the response, Lenore

Since I have my date, my mind is jumping from one thing to another. So I will probably have additional questions.

You are doing great on your journey. I hope I can do as well.

 

Hi,
  I am wondering the same things. I only have to do the 2 day diet and I have kept my A1C below 7 with diet and exercise alone. Two days however really concerns me. I am thinking because I am NOT on meds maybe I won't have a problem. 
 

You are lucking that your surgeon only requires a 2 day diet. I could do that easily.


Sheila

I am pre op and struggling with this also i take a combo of metformin and glucovance and when i really watch what i eat and get protein in my sugars run close to normal without meds for example my fasting this am was 166 but that is because i got up at 5am and ate a banana but because it wasnt so high i only took half of my meds lol i check my blood sugar more often and self adjust my meds myself i have been a diabetic since 95 so im am an old pro u should consult ur dr i did mine he said it was ok to half my meds as long as my sugars were at a descent level before i did this i would go low and have to eat and i ened up blowing my diet ...

Yes, I do plan on speaking with my PCP because I realize that I will need to self adjust my meds. I don't want to end up blowing my diet that is a big concern for me.

Sheila

You need to be monitoring your blood sugar on a daily basis.  My meds have changed 3 times since I had my surgery in April.  Before the surgery (on the pre-op diet) I was low.  For 2 weeks after the surgery I was 300+ (that was scary), then the 3rd week after it dropped to 86-100.  I was taken off another med and it's gone up again so I'm pretty sure she'll either bump up my one remaining med or add the other back in a lower dosage.  With each step my meds/dosage have been modified but I have resigned myself to the fact that this will be ongoing until I'm finally off them all.

Keep in close contact with whatever doctor is managing your diabetes.  They should already know you are having the surgery and should be prepared for close monitoring of your levels to get your meds in line.  Having gone thru the "after surgery skyrocketing of levels" I wouldn't be in too big a hurry to dump a med but in the month following surgery you should be getting a better picture of what's happening.

Again, poke yourself often, write it down, fax it to your diabetes doctor for review. 

Thanks O2B,

I do monitor daily, but it just hit me on yesterday that I will not be getting in the calories that I normally do once the liquid diet starts.  I hate that feeling when bs drops to low


Sheila

everyone with diabetes should be working very closely withtheir diabetes docs and getting VERY clear guidelines for this time of big changes. Blood sugars need to be in very good control for a good surgery and good healing.

Some surgeons  can be pretty knowledgeable, but they are surgeons, not diabetes specialists, and cannot stay up to date with DM. 

Sandy r
band educator