Type 1 diabetes experiences post-op?

[purelygraceful 1]

Hi there.

I had gastric bypass on the 26th of August. I'm also a type 1 diabetic.

I'm wondering if there are any other type 1's out there who have had this surgery who might be willing to share their experiences.

I was able to work very closely with endocrinology while in the hospital and my basal rates in my insulin pump were reduced by about one third. My carb ratio was changed from 1:5 to 1:15 while in the hospital as well. I am still using U-500 strength insulin in my pump, but I can tell from the site changes that I'm using less than half of what I used prior to surgery. I was doing very well with my BG's up until a couple of days ago when I started having moderate lows (in the fifties) quite regularly. I do have an appointment with my CDE (certified diabetes educator -- she's also my pump trainer) tomorrow (9/10/2014), but I'm considering lowering my basal rates a bit on my own before I get to her office. It isn't that I'm covering for too much food and then dropping (though that's happening as well now); I'm dropping at times that cannot be explained by having taken a bolus. The endocrinology NP in the hospital told me that I was responding like she knew most type 1's who've had this type of surgery respond and to expect to gain better control more gradually than a type 2 might -- to be on the lookout especially as I lose more weight.

I'm pretty nervous about going too low and not being able to take care of it as I live alone.

I see my endocrinologist next week (not till Friday), but my CDE can adjust the pump after we talk, too. I'm hoping that, very soon, my endocrinologist might let me switch over to U-100 strength insulin (and a rapid acting one would make mealtimes so much easier for me so that I can stop worrying about running in a bolus half an hour before I eat like I do with Regular -- I mean on top of all the rest of the food rules we deal with it is tricky enough). I plan to discuss the U-100 with my CDE tomorrow as well as asking the NP at my endo's office about it next week.

Does anyone have any advice for me or stories of their own to share about changes to the control of their diabetes? I'd really appreciate hearing anything you're willing to share with me.

Thank you very much!