Diabetes back after almost 4 years remission

Wow, I have not been on OH other than the Plastic Surgery Message Board is so long, and was I surprised to see the postings of people that was on the boards back in 03, and your faces are so familiar.  Good to see you, and I am so glad that I came to this board today. I have been having real mind problems with gaining 30 lbs back after almost 4 years.  I had my first plastic surgery one year post op, then second the next year and the third round the next year, with foot surgery and sinus and deviated septem surgery thrown in between plastic surgery, and each time you have surgery you are not able to excercise for 4 to 8 weeks, and while you are healing, you eat alot of comfort food, so I know that is how I gained back 30 lbs, but it still makes you feel like you have failed. I have started back with my excercise and I still do drink protein shakes daily.  My problem that makes me feel like a real loser happen about 8 months ago.  I kept passing out, without warning, I would be at the store shopping and the next thing I knew the store clerk was asking me if I was okay.  The doctors ran all kinds of test, I went to my cardiologist, ended up in the ER several times, then one of my blood test revealed that my A1C blood glueclose was very high.  I went to my Encrologist and he told me that my pancras had gone back to not functioning by itself.   Before WLS I was on 100 units of insulin a day, and since the day after WLS I was in total remission.  Now I had gained 30 lbs, and my diabetes was back............I felt like a loser and went into depression.  My doctor got my blood sugars within normal range with oral medications, and I started to go back to the gym and back to laps in the pool.  There is not alot of information about deabetes coming back after a almost 4 year remission, because with the gain in obesity, diabetes coming back would make the insurance companies stop paying for sugeries.  My doctor told me that there were alot of skinny people with diabetes, and that me having a 3 1/2 remission from diabetes probley saved my life.  Now I can feel better about myself, but finding old friends on OH was just icing on the sugar free cake! I went to my WLS surgeon and he told me that alot of WLS patients do gain a rebound weight and that it was normal to gain 10 to 30 lbs and be healthy.   I do drink atleast two protein shakes daily, and do not eat alot of carbs, or sugar.  I can still only eat about 4 oz of food at a meal and I eat protein bars with assortment of different nuts for snacks, so my WLS surgeon told me that I needed to eat more to lose weight.  I get shakey if I would only drink protein shakes because my blood sugars drop so low, so I am wondering about that. Has anyone had some of the same problems. Cindy Smith

Hi Cindy, You sound like a success to me - but your surgeon is probably right about eating more. Try getting in some protein every 3 hours for a while and see if that helps. Even a cheese stick and 1/2 apple would be enough to sustain for 3 hours. I have low blood sugar problems now, especially if I don't eat breakfast. I have gotten so shaky and passed out from it and have had to eat honey on toast to get my sugar up again. I can relate on the gain after surgery. I had a tummy tuck and pelvic hernia repaired in March and gained about 10 pounds from in activity. Now my problem is getting back into a good exercise routine but I'm working on it. Keep using your tool and I'm sure you'll get the weight off.  A lady that had surgery 7 yeras ago said the trick is an hour of exercise a day - no fail. I think she is right! Diona

Thank you Diona.   I am trying to eat some protein every couple of hours or something every couple of hours, even if it is just yogart, and that helps with the blood sugars, and I think you are right about getting back into a excercise routine, it is just hard to get going, but I am happy when I do get that workout in my day, I was just confused because I was reading so many post about the "time out" and only drinking nector and protein shakes to lose weight, the opposite from what my WLS surgeon was saying.   Did you have low blood sugar or were you diabetic before your Weight loss surgery?   Cindy

Hi Cindy, I have diabetes and have not gotten to total 'remission' since my WLS nearly 18 months ago.  I am on 30 units of insulin vs. 80 units, 2000 mg of Glucohage and 45 units of Actos prior to surgery, with an A1c of 11.3 (with all of that medication on board).  My A1c is now 6.2 with good control.  I find I need to eat something every few hours.  I would also like to lose another twenty pounds to reach my personal goal.  (my goal is a waist measurement to put me in a lower risk category for my comorbidities). The Time Out plan works in many cases for some people.  IN MY OPINION, it probably isn't the best choice for someone on diabetes meds.  The key of the program is getting the kinds of foods in control again, like right after WLS.  I have created my own modified version, inlcuding protein shakes for the bigger boost, and only protein to eat.  I am back to eating snacks of sliced turkey, cheese sticks, hard boiled egg, beans, jerky, fish, chicken, lean beef and pork.  I have eliminated crackers, bread, fillers and carriers of protein along with anything not primary protein.  I find I need to eat MORE protein to maintain my blood glucose but it is the right foods for me.   More protein, more water and more exercise.  This plan is working for me.  Talk to your medical team, too. Best wishes! Vicky

You are doing great with your A1C at 6.2..  I did have total remission for 3 1/2 years, I guess that is why I felt like I was losing when the diabetes came back.   In gaining the 30 lbs, I was thinking that was the reason the diabetes came back, but I was told by the doctor that the weight may have contributed some, it all comes down to the pancreas and family genetics.   I am so glad that you replied, it is good to know that I do need to eat alittle something every couple of hours and that the "time out" is not for every post op.   I know that your matablism slows down with diabetes, because your body will store more fat than someone without diabetes, and I am in the middle of menopause, so I will, of course, keep excercising, and eating right, but I do not know if I can lose that 30 lbs. Cindy

The time out plan was recommended by one surgeon for one patient on the board and a bunch of have run with it.  It is not being touted in the WLS community as a whole.  He originally recommended it for patients that had gained three or so pounds to get them off quickly.  I wish you well with your health.  Loris