Question:
How control my diabetes type II before surgery approval?
My PCP doctor insists I have to control my diabetes before getting her approval for the surgery. This is so depressing. I have just stopped going to her office cause I am frustrated at the fact that I have no control. Does anyone have any sugesstions? — Rosa O. (posted on August 9, 2003)
August 8, 2003
My mother, sho was also a Type II diabetic, had problems with infection and
healing after surgery. Perhaps your doctor is just being overly cautious.
Insist on a referral to an endocrinologist who specializes in brittle
diabetics and start with that.
On the plus side, my husband's cousin was running blood sugar levels in
the 300's prior to WLS (in 1/03). Twelve days after surgery she went off
ALL diabetic medications--and hasn't needed them since.
— Margaret S.
August 8, 2003
You could always get a new PCP or just consult with a surgeon without his
approval. I guess there might be insurance issue with that however. My
experience with control of type II was that proper amounts of carbohydrates
at equal times through the day was the most important factor of blood sugar
control. Along with cutting simple sugars and increasing exercise. A
nutritionist that specializes in diabetes control will help you greatly
there. The ironic thing is that carbs are the key before surgery, but
after surgery it all about no carbs and high protein. I agree with
previous poster that post op you will likely not have to deal with type II
issues for very long. I had elevated blood sugar levels pretty much all
the time before surgery, within a day or two I had normal levels all the
time.
— Scott L.
August 9, 2003
Hi Rosa, I know being diabetic has to be very hard for you. My girlfriend
is diabetic and I know what she goes through everyday. She struggles with
her blood sugars and cheats and eats and drinks the wrong stuff.
I think what you should do is try to have a positive attitude and not get
into mood swings over the diabetes. Don't let the diabetes defeat your
life. You have an opportunity to better yourself and possibly get rid of
diabetes. My suggestion would be to only drink diet pop and stay away from
those sugars and lower your carb intake and keep up on your medication
and/or insuline. Please take care of yourself and file a diabetic diet and
get yourself under control. I would love to see you beat this and prove to
yourself that you can do it. Don't get down or depressed or moody just
stand up and push yourself to succeed. I tell my girlfriend this everyday
and she struggles, too. You know what though? Everyday she is doing
better and better because she is following a routine and she is listening
to her doctor. Please get back to the doctor and do what the doctor says
and then get your approval for the surgery and have the surgery and lose a
tremendous amount of weight and maybe even be out of diabetes to a whole
where you wouldn't need your meds or fight diabetes daily anymore. Their
are so many persons out there who have had the surgery and were diabetic
before the surgery and now don't have any signs of being diabetic anymore.
Stay motivated and think positive and positive will happen in your life. I
pray right now in the name of Jesus that God puts angels around you in your
life at all times and brings you a positive outlook at life and your
diabetes and you beat this situation and move on to the next awesome level
of your life and will be abundantly blessed. In Jesus' name I pray, amen!
— Brian G. H.
August 9, 2003
If controlling your diabetes means being able to have this surgery then you
need to have your PCP prescribe medication (actos, glucophage, etc) and you
need to watch your carbohydrate intake. Also, make a journal and record
your blood sugars to show the PCP and your surgeon that you are controlling
the diabetes through diet and medication. I had type II before surgery,
now 7 months post-op, my diabetes has vanished and my blood sugars are
fantastic. In the case of my surgeon and insurance, I had to have a letter
of clearance from my PCP.
— Kristen S.
August 9, 2003
I can't see how your PCP hasn't help you with controling your diabetes. I
was diagnois with type II last March 2002. In October 2002 my PCP suggested
I have the surgery, after taking to type of medicine and being on a diet
with excercise. Don't get me wrong you do have to do your part change in
diet is very important as well as excercise and taking your medication. As
for your PCP maybe you need to get one that going to do there job. It takes
a while to get it under control that's why after 7 months mine suggested
the surgery. Good luck
— Stacey W.
August 9, 2003
First of all it is real easy to controle your diabetes. The first thing is
to stop eating sugar. Then take the medication as perscribed. It is that
easy. I used to push a 400 or better blood sugar even with the medication
but I still did a alot of sugar and carbohydrates. Now I eat a high protien
low carb diet. I still overeat hence the surgery but my blood sugar is
controled. If the medication your taking don't work ask for a different
med. I personaly take Meteformin and Glybuteride. It works wonderfuly....
— D P.
August 10, 2003
It's frustrating, I know. I was all set for surgery last October only to
find out that my blood sugars were out of control and my surgeon refused to
operate. So I went BACK to my PCP who helped me by changing my medicines
and we worked out the eating & med plan so that my Hemoglobin A1C got
into a respectable level. You may feel very angry at your PCP right now
for this, but trust me, you'll thank him or her in the end. I don't
believe any surgeon worth his or her salt would operate on someone whose
blood sugars were way out of whack. It compromises your body's healing
capacities in a BIG way. This is what made sense to me, finally, when I
was so frustrated at not being able to have surgery. When I realized that
my body wouldn't heal properly, I wanted to be in the best form I could be
in BEFORE I faced surgery. So even though I KNOW it's tough, it's
frustrating and aggravating, get back to your PCP, get some new meds, maybe
ask to see a nutritionist for some support and BEST WISHES on your
journey!!
— Amy G.
August 10, 2003
Hi Rosa,
My surgeon pointed out that my pcp provides a service and that I am a
consumer. I am always free to take my business (and my healthcare)
elsewhere. Perhaps there's a more reasonable pcp in your network?
— Holly W.
August 10, 2003
Rosa, I totally sympathise with you. First, I would make sure your doctor
sends you to a good endo specialist who can help you and then the blood
sugar thing will be between you and a specialist, not just your PCP who
should already be pointing out the fact they they are NO specialist.
Secondly, I have to say that your PCP is right about the importance of
controlled blood sugars. I ended up with an abscess in my stomach last
December and nearly died (started as a "wound infection"
according to the docs) and they say it was because my blood sugars were too
high. And if you're having trouble controlling your blood sugars I'll help
you kick the poster below who said its easy to control your sugars. That's
very personal and varies. I'm a brittle diabetic now and with 3 types of
insulin, an oral medication which I'm totally maxed out on, diet and
exercise I've been unable for MONTHS to get my fasting much below 300 in
the AM and they swing super quick up into the 400 & 500s without a
correlation that the docs or I can find. Sooooo, anyhow, thats my best
suggestions and letting you know that fluctuating and uncontrolled sugars
aren't always your fault. If you want to talk you can email me.
— Shelly S.
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