Type 1 diabetes and SRS

[Guest LottieZero]

Hi all,

I've finally got a date for the consultation for my upcoming SRS - and it's next month! But a thought that had been lingering in my mind has come to the surface again: will my type 1 diabetes (which I've had since 2010) stop me from having the surgery? I'm really scared that it will, because having the surgery means so much to me and I can't imagine not being able to...

I'll phone up on Monday and ask anyway, but I was just wondering if anyone else had any knowledge of the subject?

[Drea]

I don't know the different types so not sure it appljes...a friend of mine who has been diabetic most of her life has SRS a few years ago. Her diabetes required her to use insulin.

It was not an easy or certain thing however. Initially the doc's staff said possibly but then the surgeon said no. It was only because it was well controlled for a long Tim, that she hadn't developed other complications from it, and after a bunch of medical tests the surgeon requested and she passed, the surgeon agreed.

So it is possible, but be aware it might involve extra effort and persistance on your part.

[Guest Donna Jean]

.

Both Lizzy and I have diabetes.....

She shoots insulin......

We've both been cleared for surgery .,......

It all depends on many factors........

See your doctor.......

Donna Jean

[Guest Elizabeth K]

Is it controlled? Do you have ANY problems with slow healing or excessive bruising? I have type II and that is what my physician said they will ask in the preop exam..

Lizzy

[Guest LottieZero]

Thanks for your replies I'm making an extra effort to keep my blood sugar levels low (though that did result in a hypo last week when we had that weird warm spell) and I'll be going to the diabetic clinic at the end of the month for a checkup... I'm hoping my HbA1C will be less than last time (I think it was 10% ) I haven't had any complications from it, though, like neuropathy or anything else.

I don't really have problems with slow healing, as far as I'm aware, and I rarely bruise, so that shouldn't be a concern. I suppose I'll just have to see what they say...

[Guest Elizabeth K]

Good luck. It sounds as if its all okay, Please let us know what happens.

Lizzy

[Guest Mia J]

Wow adult onset type 1 is not that common but I understand it is happening more.

The bottom line will be how controlled you are and how fragile your are.

Have you ended up in the hospital for blood sugar issues?

Have you had any secondary effects with circulation or tissue destruction?

These can all be a factor.

This would go for any kind of surgery you may have and not just SRS. My stepson and my son both are type 1 and are both very well controlled. They have both had minor surgeries without any problems.

Proper care can make all of the difference in the world.

For those who don't know the difference type 1 is a genetic condition that is passed through the family, usually from the mothers side. It usually shows up in childhood but can also be adult onset.

Type 2 is a medical condition that is not genetically caused. It can be caused by medical issues or from things like diet and obesity.

Mia

[Guest JaniceW]

Unless you have some other complication it is unlikely that your diabetes will be in your way. Your surgeon is the only person you should turn to for advice for what the diabetes should mean to you in terms of the surgery.

Just to be a bit more complete there are 3 types of diabetes:

Type 1 diabetes: results from the body's failure to produce insulin, and presently requires the person to inject insulin.

Type 2 diabetes: results from insulin resistance, a condition in which cells fail to use insulin properly, sometimes combined with an absolute insulin deficiency.

Gestational diabetes: is when pregnant women, who have never had diabetes before, have a high blood glucose level during pregnancy. It may precede development of type 2 DM.

All forms of diabetes have a genetic origin.

[KathrynJulia]

Lottie

I've had Type 1 Diabetes going on 27 years with only 4 Ha1C's over 7.0 Flu, pneumonia or prednisone. I'm on my 4th insulin pump and love the flexibility they give you. Before going to have SRS surgery, see your doctor. Asj him or her to write you a history and physical detailing your overall health and history of diabetic control. Have a tread mill stress test. Have copies of all labs for the previous two years. When you are talking to the surgeon who will do your surgery, be honest. Inform him that you would like to furnish him or her a letter of medical history from your doctor. Make copies of all documents to take with you, but send a set ahead and speak to the surgion to review your health with you when you schedule your surgery. Ask your surgeon if he or she has any concerns that needs to be addressed ahead of time. Keep a copy of all medical records and hand carry them with you. Following these suggestions will go a long way to smoothing things out. There are lifelong diabetics who have kidney transplants safely. SRS surgery can be done safely as well.

Kathryn

[Guest LottieZero]

I haven't ended up in hospital for blood sugar issues since my diagnosis (when it turned out I had diabetic ketoacidosis instead of the flu that I'd assumed it was...) but my levels were maybe a bit high last autumn. I'll have to look back over them on my meter and see what they were like...

I'll certainly ask for those documents when I'm at the clinic in a few weeks' time. I've never had a treadmill stress test, but they should have the facilities there. Hopefully my electrolyte and lipid levels will be OK... they were fine at the last test, except for having slightly low sodium, but I can't see how they'll have changed. Then again, stranger things have happened!

[Guest LottieZero]

Also, coincidentally, it's 2 years to this date that I was diagnosed with diabetes. Strange coincidence, eh?

[Guest Donna Jean]

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I've controlled my Diabetes the last few years and looking at SRS soon.....

My last A1C was 5.9 and my doc was ecstatic! (as was I)

Huggs

Dee Jay

[Guest Elizabeth K]

I am type II - but I am insulin dependent, but on a fairly low level. I have been able, through diligence with my medication regime - to keep my A1C at 6.0 and 6.1. And I have no real signs of tissue deterioration, although it has affected my eyesight a bit. I am about 6 years diagnosed, but I had it forever I think. Mine is probably hereditary.

My primary care provider says she will put me through the wringer, testing me before surgery - but at my age at 64, I suspect it is more for my heart and pulmonary health status.

I want my SRS very much - but not to risk dying on the OR table - grin.

Lizzy

[Guest LottieZero]

.

I've controlled my Diabetes the last few years and looking at SRS soon.....

My last A1C was 5.9 and my doc was ecstatic! (as was I)

Huggs

Dee Jay

I'd be pretty happy if mine was as low as 5.9% too, to say the least! Mine will probably be closer to 8-9%, though. It might be better if I wasn't so scared of hypos (I live alone, and I'm scared that if I went into a coma nobody would know...)

[Guest LottieZero]

Looks like I cross-posted with you, Lizzy - 6.0% is really good too, obviously! ^^;;

I'm desperate for SRS as well, and I don't know what I'd do if I couldn't get it done at the hospital in Brighton... there's no way I could afford to pay for it myself for at least another 10 years, so I'm really, really hoping this will work out

[Drea]

For what it is worth, keep in mind that the only person's approval that really counts is the surgeon who will be doing the surgery.

With my friend I mentioned above, she had medical clearance from her doctor, but the surgeon had said no anyway. I am sure every surgeon is different and some will take your doctors word. It doesn't hurt to insure the surgeon is okay rather than assume the surgeon will take your doc's word and get surprised later.

[Guest LottieZero]

Good news - I've just been on the phone to the surgeon's clinical specialist and she says it will all be fine! Apparently my diabetes was mentioned in the original referral, and it was taken into consideration, so there shouldn't be any problems.

You won't believe how relieved I am right now. Now to get the flights booked...

[Guest Elizabeth K]

That is very good. Looks like you are on track!

Lizzy

[KathrynJulia]

LottieZero:

At some point down the road, consider switching to an insulin pump. They are not an automatic cure, but the continuous release of insulin coupled with continuous glucose monitoring can match your daily up and down circadian rhythm to your basal rate possible. Medtronic had a feature on my last insulin pump that I really loved and they have removed it and I have written them about that. If I felt I was going low and eating was and hour or two away, I could set a temporary basal rate. I like to set a temporary of 70% for one to two hours and my blood sugar would slowly rise back to what I wanted without eating anything. I beat more lows with that little tool and those idiots at Medtronic removed it for their Revel pump. Also the pumps continuous release of rapid acting insulin in small amount can be tailor made if you participate in some activity that burns up glucose and brings on a low. Although I'd gone about 12 years without a really serious insulin reaction involving paramedics, this past Sunday night after a 15 mile hike, I got up during the night and knew I was in trouble with a capital T. I was hallucinating and I got out the juice and a glass, apparently dropped the glass shattering it on the floor and then I collapsed and hit the floor. Scared the hell out of my son in law. He thought I was having a heart attack. My daughter, the non diabetic who used to come to camp with dad and fooled everybody into thinking she was diabetic, took one look at me, saw the juice, knew what was wrong, tried to get me to drink and when that failed, got the glucagon pen out and let me have it. God how I hate glucagon. For non insulin using diabetics, glucogon is produced by the pancreus and forces the liver to release stored glycogen to raise blood sugar. The body releases small amounts all the time in non Type 1's . The glucagon shot my daughter administered to me paralizes the gut, but forces the liver to release glycogen like right now. I usually come to in 5 to 10 minutes and within 20 minutes, everything in my stomach comes up as it makes me so nauseus. I was sitting up and pretty lucid by the time the paramedics arrived. They got to watch me loose supper. Why do they always want to take you to the hospital for having an insulin reaction? AHHHHHHH BTW, I'm in the process of divorse, selling my house and looking for another, so I'm staying with my daughter for a while. Kathryn

[Paula ult]

I am type II, a bit different than type I, but it did not stop me from having my surgery, it has to be well controlled, mine has been 5.x range since i was diagnosed 10 years ago, Dr. Mcginn made sure my sugar levels were monitored frequently during and after surgery.

Paula