Diabetic with Gastric Sleeve, did I chose the wrong surgery?

[Soli3l 30]

I got the lap band in July 2010, lost 20lbs and no more. In October 2012, they took the lap band out and in November 2012, I got sleeved. 13 months later, I am still a diabetic and my total weight loss with sleeve was 25lbs. I started my sleeve journey at 246 and now weigh 221. I am thinking that I should've gotten the gastric bypass and I'm considering that option, but my new insurance does not cover bariactric surgery. My surgeon states that my diabetes prevents me from losing weight...I am so frustrated, I tell him will i be the first patient to have all 3 surgeries? DId anyone go through this?

Thanks.

[moonlitestarbrite 902]

do you exercise? how much Protein, added sugars and carbs are you eating each day? how much Water? what kind of diabetes do you have? type one or two. there is someone in my support group with type two and she has lost 70+ pounds since july with the sleeve. so i dont think its the diabetes. what are your daily BGLs like?

[LindafromFlorida 1,542]

Wrong doctor perhaps? Something is not right, diabetes are losing weight, my husband and me.

[TheNewSusie 471]

I'm type one and 1.5 years out and hardly touch my insulin. I do very low carb and I'm down 93 pounds. Can u tell us about your diet?

[Soli3l 30]

I am type 2 Diabetes, for 12 yrs...my number is like 136 - 141 fasting blood sugar. I also have thyroid issues - low metabolism, it is controlled by medication. The doctor wants to put me back on insulin, but last time I gained 49lbs with lap band and insulin so I don't want that. When I follow the Atkins diet 25 - 30 carbs I lose weight, but when I'm not on it I stay the same or gain. I'm tired of my doctor and nut telling me it's my diabetes, I should've gotten the gastric bypass, they make lose hope on my sleeve. I do the Jillian Michaels last chance workout 6 days a week.

My typical day is:

Breakfast: 2 eggs, ham and coffee

Snack: apple and some cheddar cheese

lunch and Dinner: salad (romaine lettuce, feta cheese, onions, 2 cherry tomatoe, oil and vinegar, canned tuna.< /p>

Snack: Atkins bar

Struggle with my Water intake.

[moonlitestarbrite 902]

you aren't getting enough Protein or Water or calories. all of these things contribute to very low metabolism. meaning your body burns very few calories. which means you are in a prolonged stall.

3 things will keep your metabolism fired up: exercise, (daily) Protein 60-80 grams (you need to be tracking every gram of protein you put in your mouth), Water, 64 ounces. (also tracking)

you need to know how many calories you are getting by tracking your input. best if you get a device that will track out put too. a fit bit or body bug will do this for you.

none of this will change if you get the bypass. requirements for bypass are the same. daily exercise, protein and water. it's not a mystery why you are not losing. you are not being compliant with your post op diet and exercise. there is a REASON we are ALL told to get in exercise, protein and water.

to lower your fasting blood sugar, exercise. every single day. and i am on thyroid medication too. it has not prevented me from losing weight. my blood levels are fine.

[moonlitestarbrite 902]

sorry i missed that you do do exercise every day. even more reason to start getting enough nutrients in. it's not about blood sugar levels, it's about not keeping your body in starvation mode.

[Soli3l 30]

Thank you Moonlite, I did lose some weight when i did the Atkins diet 20 carbs daily. Thank you for your input, I guess I lost hope and I thought the issue was just my sugar which is what my doctor and nutritionist emphasize.

you aren't getting enough Protein or Water or calories. all of these things contribute to very low metabolism. meaning your body burns very few calories. which means you are in a prolonged stall.

3 things will keep your metabolism fired up: exercise, (daily) Protein 60-80 grams (you need to be tracking every gram of protein you put in your mouth), Water, 64 ounces. (also tracking)

you need to know how many calories you are getting by tracking your input. best if you get a device that will track out put too. a fit bit or body bug will do this for you.

none of this will change if you get the bypass. requirements for bypass are the same. daily exercise, protein and water. it's not a mystery why you are not losing. you are not being compliant with your post op diet and exercise. there is a REASON we are ALL told to get in exercise, protein and water.

to lower your fasting blood sugar, exercise. every single day. and i am on thyroid medication too. it has not prevented me from losing weight. my blood levels are fine.

[blinky2 5]

Have you seen any changes? I'm still pre-op and have been following a lot of people's journeys and the trend I see is that high Protein (like 80+ grams a day) along with exercise are the ones that reach goal quickly and maintain. I plan on Protein shakes just being part of my life forever after surgery. Also spicy things can help boost metabolism and cinnamon can help blood sugar levels if you find yourself still having issues with that. Also eating low carb and high Protein puts our bodies in a mode where it burns fat instead of muscle (although muscle loss will still happen if you're not getting enough protein) and your body needs Water to burn fat at the cellular level. There are lots of great VSGer's on youtube, I love following them becuase you can go back to any part of their journey and see what they struggled with and what they did to overcome it and it's also really easy to communicate with them. Best of luck!

[Soli3l 30]

Hi Blinky,

I recently joined a gym and I'm giving that a try, I'm trying my best for high Protein low carb, but it's not easy. My nutritionist told me to try Gluten Free food, I also have some Vitamin deficiencies she states it's hindering my weightloss, therefore, she has increased some Vitamins and lowered others. Thanks for the follow up, I appreciate it.

Wish you the best in your journey.

Have you seen any changes? I'm still pre-op and have been following a lot of people's journeys and the trend I see is that high Protein (like 80+ grams a day) along with exercise are the ones that reach goal quickly and maintain. I plan on protein shakes just being part of my life forever after surgery. Also spicy things can help boost metabolism and cinnamon can help blood sugar levels if you find yourself still having issues with that. Also eating low carb and high protein puts our bodies in a mode where it burns fat instead of muscle (although muscle loss will still happen if you're not getting enough protein) and your body needs Water to burn fat at the cellular level. There are lots of great VSGer's on youtube, I love following them becuase you can go back to any part of their journey and see what they struggled with and what they did to overcome it and it's also really easy to communicate with them. Best of luck!

[shadylady_57 54]

I am type II andmine was out of control before surgery. I was taking 50 units of Lantis every day, 12 units of Humalog before meals with a sliding scale between,also was taking Byetta 10 units twice a day.Now my blood sugar runs anywhere between 85-130 if I don't take my Lantis I'm down to 15 units every morining and sometimes 1-6 units of Humalog, I no longer take the Byetta. I weighed 266 pre surgery,after my liquid diet for almost 4 wks, I weighed 242 on day of surgery. Tody 7 mos out I weigh 188.4. I feel like a different person, I no longer have to use a scooter when I shop,I'm able to walk longer distances before my back,hips are hurting.I am so thankful that I did this for my self, its the best thing that I have ever done for myself. I try to eat more Protein than carbs,veggies,or fruits. I supplement with greek plain yogurt with unsweetned almond milk, add blue berries or other fruit, and stevia to sweetne it then blend it.Also I eat high Protein Bars, and shakes.

g

ood Luck

[lark60 430]

I have type 2 DM, and Hashimotos thyroid (low thyroid). I wanted to get the gastric bypass but after researching the options and talking with the surgeon decided the sleeved would be the best choice. My weight loss has been slower than the surgeon expected but I am still loosing.

Initially I had several stalls and they were usually because I was not eating enough calories. I had to add an afternoon snack to get the calories up to 800-900 calories.

I am 9 months out from the surgery and still have a Protein shake Breakfast and dinner. lunch is 1/2 cup of food with 20-25 gm Protein, then a veggie, rarely do I get fruit in that meal. I find I can add fruit to the Breakfast shake to get at least one serving of fruit in the day. My afternoon snack is greek yogurt and cottage cheese mixed together (2 oz serving of the mix) or an ounce of cheese (usually a cheese stick) or 1/2 a Protein Bar.

I struggle with getting the Water intake needed each day (to be honest, I think I have only had 20 oz of Water today but this has been a bad day for me)

Exercise for me is walking or work out with the WII. I shoot for 10000 steps a day.

Reading your diet menu I was surprised you could eat 2 eggs and other food for one meal. I am lucky to get one egg down and usually cannot eat anything else for that meal.

[huligoo 75]

I am type 2 right now as well I am post op almost 8 months now..

My weight has stalled big time...

Im not keeping up with my Water intake...

Exercise is only walking.i dont think this is enough for me..UGH

My Protein is about 60 grams a day..Im supposed to have 90 grams...

Pre op I was on Metformin 2000 mgs a day; NPH 1o units in pm and 5 units pm; Glipizide 20mg (10mg am and 10mg pm)

I am now ONLY on metformin! Yayyyy!

I do take thyroid meds for low thyroid...LOW metabolism...

My weight loss has been slow as well

Im 39 years old been type 2 since i was 22 years old...

[huligoo 75]

I am type 2 Diabetes, for 12 yrs...my number is like 136 - 141 fasting blood sugar. I also have thyroid issues - low metabolism, it is controlled by medication. The doctor wants to put me back on insulin, but last time I gained 49lbs with lap band and insulin so I don't want that. When I follow the Atkins diet 25 - 30 carbs I lose weight, but when I'm not on it I stay the same or gain. I'm tired of my doctor and nut telling me it's my diabetes, I should've gotten the gastric bypass, they make lose hope on my sleeve. I do the Jillian Michaels last chance workout 6 days a week.

My typical day is:

Breakfast: 2 eggs, ham and coffee

Snack: apple and some cheddar cheese

lunch and Dinner: salad (romaine lettuce, feta cheese, onions, 2 cherry tomatoe, oil and vinegar, canned tuna.< /p>

Snack: Atkins bar

Struggle with my Water intake.

Hey this sounds like me...

My diabetes is better but NOT gone...

My numbers are usually in the 110-130's

Im not good with my Water intake I drink maybe one water bottle...

For breakfast I have

2 hard boiled eggs and coffee

lunch; Protein and veggies

dinner; Protein and Beans or veggies

Im probably under calories and stalling big time at this point!

Im frustrated!..

I am healthier and on less meds..so that is still good..i wanna do better!

[sassypants 674]

I can’t help but I wanted to say something I have read a couple of posts here and there how docs keep suggesting a 3rd op when its not going to statistical plan instead of taking the time to ask more question and to me give more help.
It amazes me that a few posts from members here shed more light on what could be the issue within a hour than a doctor is doing in a month +.
Another recent post was a lap band to sleeve also being told maybe go back in and do the bypass- holy hell!
That’s a lot of surgical trauma to put a body through when it could be as simple as wrong nutritional advice because they are focusing on 1 pre-existing medical issue and not the overall factors.
I hope everything works out for you and you find a groove your happy with.
it may be slower than average because you do have other things and medication to factor in but I hope you do work out something that works for you.