Recent Posts

charb149
on 10/1/11 1:12 pm
Topic: RE: Type 2 diebeties
 Thanks so much for taking time to reply to me. I was nervous about lows and it makes sense to mix water and juice. I know you couldn't drink oj. But having a little would help. I'm getting nervous now about my surgery 10-24. I can't wait for it to come and go.
funkyphillygirl
on 10/1/11 11:56 am
Topic: RE: Type 2 diebeties

First of all, best of luck with everything! 

I just had RNY gastric bypass on 9/12/11.  I have had LADA (latent autoimmune diabetes in adults - also known as Type 1.5) for 25 years with HBA1C's always in the mid to high 7's.  Because of the type of diabetes I have, my endocrinologist has said that I would still need insulin after surgery.  And I do.  But here's what's different - prior to surgery, I was on 3 injectables (Lantus, Byetta and Novolog) and on actos, glimepiride and metformin, as well as bp and cholesterol meds.   As of now, I am taking Lantus and Novolog ONLY - everything else is gone.  And my blood pressure is normal and fine - and last labs were good.  I have not had an HBA1C drawn yet, but I know from my meter readings that my next one will be significantly better. 

Because you are eating so little in the weeks following surgery, you likely will go off many of the drugs you are on.  I had normal blood sugars for 2 days after surgery, but as soon as I began to drink some water, I started going up.  We played with some insulin doses in the hospital but significantly less than what I used to do.

Now that I am almost 3 weeks out, I am back on Lantus and mealtime Novolog, but in very small doses with MUCH, much better results.  My blood sugar stays in a normal range most of the time, and I'm taking so much less insulin and no pills at this point.  My endo and I have agreed that I will likely go back on some metformin once I can take pills (which should be soon).

It's all a bit of a moving target for a while for me because every 10-14 days my diet changes to accommodate a bit more solid food.  But, my weight is going down.  So, I expect adjustments to be frequent.  I test myself about 5 times a day anyway, so I am able to make those adjustments by testing and monitoring myself.  That has been key.

Your question about dealing with lows is an excellent one and it was one of the things that I hounded EVERYONE about prior to surgery - for months.  I have had 2 lows since the surgery and both of them have been in the morning.   I have been able to address them with about a tablespoon of juice mixed with a little water.  First, liquid goes into your blood stream so much more quickly after surgery because of the changes to your digestive track.  So, you don't need as much or to wait as long for the effects.  Secondly, mixing juice with a little water cuts the carb count, which will keep you from any dumping, as long as you keep the portion size down.  And, depending on the surgery you are having, you won't have the capacity for much anyway.  (And you aren't hungry.)

Sorry for the long post, but these were the kinds of questions I had prior to surgery and, like you, what my doctor said just didn't seem conceivable to me.  But, he was right.  Many, many Type 2 diabetics do go off all of their medications while in the hospital.  I hope you are one of them.

vkhill22
on 9/30/11 2:06 am - Duluth, MN
Topic: RE: Type 1 diabetic-what to eat for lows
Unbelievable!! Like you, I'm on the pump. It saved my life! An 80 blood sugar IS too low for me. Right after surgery especially, since we are eating differently. I had the opposite problem. My blood sugar was extremely high before surgery because I didn't want a low for surgery as I can seizure with lows. They tried to get my sugar under control with no success. So I told them I was hooking back up to my pump to do it myself. It took a whole day, but I finally got it down to normal. It's amazing how some health care professionals can be so "dumb" about diabetes. We are the diabetics and know our bodies best.
    
charb149
on 9/30/11 1:14 am
Topic: RE: Type 2 diebeties
 If your levels go to low what do you use to raise it?

Claudia
                            
charb149
on 9/28/11 11:09 pm
Topic: RE: Type 2 diebeties
Wow great news. I also take blood pressure, and cholesterol. I can't wait to get off everything. I lost 20 lbs on my own my A1C went up to 8.2 from 7.2.
Claudia
                            
msamore
on 9/28/11 3:02 pm - McClure, PA
Topic: RE: Type 1 diabetic-what to eat for lows
Thanks so much for the information. I'm still on a limited diet right now, phase 2-B (don't know if that term is universal). Basically I've just added some soft foods to my liquid diet. So many of the foods you mentioned are off limits. But I can certainly follow your advice to pair a protein with a little fruit juice, even if that is off-limits.
 Polly         
LosingSally
on 9/28/11 2:54 pm
Topic: RE: Type 1 diabetic-what to eat for lows
Sorry for the late reply, I was out of the country for a few weeks.
80 is normal, and may or may not be actually heading  lower. As you said, wait 15-20 minutes, and restick. If it's to 60, I would have a protein with a very small amount of fruit, juice, or even 1-2 oz of regular soda, remembering to have cheese, peanut butter, sliced deli meat, tuna, etc.
The sugar or fruit, or soda will bring up a low, and the protein  will keep it from causing a sudden low from too much insulin being dumped into your system. Protein takes longer to digest and slows down the absorption of your sugars. So being careful not to overtreat either a high or a low may help you acheive a more level range of blood sugars.
In any case, keep the sugar component small. Trial and error will let you find the best way to ward off very low BG. Pairing protein with simple carbs seem to be the best action.
Good luck!
Kristina M.
on 9/28/11 1:07 pm - LA
Topic: RE: Type 2 diebeties
I had surgery on August 11, 2011.  I was taking 5 diabetes pills a day, 1 chlorestoral pill, and 1 blood pressure pill.  My surgery dr took me off all of my diabetes pills right after surgery and I went to my regular dr 3 days after surgery and she took me off of the chlorestoral pill and the blood pressure pill.  My diabetes was under control right after surgery.  It was amazing.  My A1C went from 7.4 before surgery to 6.4 two weeks after surgery.

Kristina Miller         
charb149
on 9/28/11 3:02 am
Topic: RE: Type 2 diebeties
 Thanks so much. I've been thinking about for days. It made no sense to me to stop everything right after surgery. Congrats on your surgery. Hope all is well.
ktbaker77
on 9/28/11 2:52 am - Gainesville, FL
Topic: RE: Type 2 diebeties
I had my VSG on Aug 30th and stopped everything until returning home
then started with a minimum dose of lantus and carefully monitored my blood suger.  the problem is that you can't eat your way out of a Low.  so take it easy keep track of your numbers and good luck.
        
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