Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Recommended Posts

Hello, I am going to be getting the BPD surgery and It has been a little over a year when I started this journey. Today I went to the Dr. and my A1c is finally low enough for them to send the letter to my insurance. My highest A1c was 14. A year ago it was 12 then went down to 11 then back to 12 and in the past 3 months was able to lower it to 8.6. I worked very hard to exercise a lot more and make better food choices and stay in contact with my diabetes pharmacist to adjust my insulin. I really felt it was impossible at times to lower my blood sugar but it is possible. After my 6 month visits were over I was really upset that my a1c was still very high. I had lost some weight but my sugar would not get better. I was also upset when the Dr. told me I had to wait another three months to recheck my a1c. It was a tough 6 months trying to get to my Dr. appointments since I do not drive and my fiance would have to take off from work to take me to a few appointments. Somehow we did it and I actually found out there is transportation from a bus service that takes you to your appointments if you are on Medicaid.

During my year journey, I have quit smoking this whole year, had my sleep study and got a CPAP machine for my sleep apnea, lost some weight and kept it off for a year, something I have never done in my life. Now I finally am getting some control of my diabetes. I still want to lower it some more to be safe for surgery, so I am going to continue to work hard at that while I wait to hear from my insurance and to meet with the surgeon. I have wanted surgery for a long time now and I am so close. I want to be around for my 2 year old daughter and to have the energy to keep up with her. I'm really excited about my next steps and can't believe I'm finally here. :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Woolhatgirl, CONGRATULATIONS on all the hard work you've done and continue to do! 8.6 is close, but you know not optimal. Keep trying, don't give up. Waiting 3 months to get your A1C checked is standard protocol.

You'd be surprised what raises blood sugar. My husband is type 2 diabetic. We changed both of our diets for our own specific reasons. But we watch carbs closely, they turn into sugar. You know many forms of sugar will raise your blood sugar. Theres so much more to do in your diet I just can't think of them right now (I'm at work) and I'm NO professional, just my 2 cents.

But, Way to go! Keep up the good fight, for your life!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thank you! My doctor def wants me to keep trying to get it lower and now that I know I can actually do it, I am motivated to get it even lower. Yes, carbs are my biggest weakness. When I follow very strict low carb meals my sugars are pretty good for me, but they have to be very low carb. I have been looking up recipes and meal prepping and that has really helped. I have a big sweet tooth and I love bread and Pasta and all that so it has been difficult. My fiance is my opposit, he has like 2% body fat lol. But he encourages me and also looks at carbs for me when he goes to get me something to eat or drink. He actually does not like bread or cake or stuff that is really carby, that's probably why he's so thin lol.

I just got a call from the hospital and I'm meeting the surgeon next Friday. I didn't think it was going to be that fast lol. After a year of things going slow I thought I wouldn't hear from them for a while. I'm nervous and excited. Thanks for the kind words. :) Changing the way you eat after so long of doing it the wrong way sure is tough, but it is doable.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

oddly enough my surgeon didnt care about diabetic numbers or my high ass ferritin. but my gahdayum pcp would not clear me based on my a1c or my ferritin level. surgeon said it makes no nevermind to him cuz it why they are doing to surgery anyways to help lower it yadda yadda. but its not up to him. diabetic dr was nice enough about it though and was on my side and cleared me. hematologist shook his head and said the ferritin was nothing that would affect surgery anyways. was a set back though cuz it takes forever to get into a hematologist around here.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I hear you, it does take time and I had to reschedule so many times so I could make the appointments. I was thinking like, hey getting control of my diabetes is one of the main reasons for having the surgery. During my 6 month dr visits I had a different dietician and doctor every time I went in so one would say let's get your a1c down to 9 and then another would be like I want it at least 8 before we submit to the insurance. I was just glad I got it down to where they felt it was time.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Prdgrdma

      So I guess after gastric bypass surgery, I cant eat flock chips because they are fried???  They sell them on here so I thought I could have them. So high in protein and no carbs.  They don't bother me at all.  Help. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        It's possible for a very high fat meal to cause dumping in some (30% or so) gastric bypass patients, although it's more likely to be triggered by high sugar, or by the high fat/high sugar combo (think ice cream, donuts). Dietitians will tell you to never do anything that isn't 100% healthy ever again. Realistically, you should aim for a good balance of protein, carbs, and fat each day. Should you eat fried foods every day? No. Is it possible they will make you sick? Maybe. Is it okay to eat some to see what happens and have them for a treat every now and again? Yes.

    • NovelTee

      I'm not at all hungry on this liquid pre-op diet, but I miss the sensation of chewing. It's been about two weeks––surgery is in two days––and I can't imagine how I'll feel a couple of weeks post-op. Tonight, I randomly stumbled upon a mukbang channel on YouTube, and it was strangely soothing... is it just me, or is this a thing? 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        I actually watched cooking shows during my pre-op, like Great British Baking Show. It was a little bizarre, but didn't make me hungry. I think it was also soothing in a way.

    • Clueless_girl

      How do you figure out what your ideal weight should be? I've had a figure in my head for years, but after 3 mths of recovery I'm already almost there. So maybe my goal should be lower?
      · 3 replies
      1. NickelChip

        Well, there is actually a formula for "Ideal Body Weight" and you can use a calculator to figure it out for you. This one also does an adjusted weight for a person who starts out overweight or obese. https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/68/ideal-body-weight-adjusted-body-weight

        I would use that as a starting point, and then just see how you feel as you lose. How you look and feel is more important than a number.

      2. Clueless_girl

        I did find different calculators but I couldn't find any that accounted for body frame. But you're right, it is just a number. It was just disheartening to see that although I lost 60% of my excess weight, it's still not in the "normal/healthy" range..

      3. NickelChip

        I think it's important to remember that the weight charts and BMI ranges were developed a very long time ago and only intended to be applied to people who have never been overweight or obese. Those numbers aren't for us. When you are larger, especially for a long time, your body develops extra bone to support the weight. Your organs get a little bigger to handle the extra mass. Your entire infrastructure increases so you can support and function with the extra weight. That doesn't all go away just because you burn off the excess fat. If you still had a pair of jeans from your skinniest point in life and then lost weight to get to the exact number on the scale you were when those jeans fit you, chances are they would be a little baggy now because you would actually be thinner than you were, even though the scale and the BMI chart disagree. When in doubt, listen to the jeans, not the scale!

    • Aunty Mamo

      Tomorrow marks two weeks since surgery day and while I'm feeling remarkably well and going about just about every normal activity, I did wind up with a surface abscess on on of my incision sights and was put on an antibiotic that made me so impacted that it took me more than two hours to eliminate yesterday and scared the hell out of me. Now there's Miralax in all my beverages that aren't Smooth Move tea. I cannot experience that again. I shouldn't have to take Ativan to go to the lady's. I really looking forward to my body getting with the program again. 
      I'm in day three of the "puree" stage of eating and despite the strange textures, all of the savory flavors seem decadent. 
      I timed this surgery so that I'd be recovering during my spring break. That was a good plan. Today is a state holiday and the final day of break. I feel really strong to return to school tomorrow. 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Now that I'm in maintenance mode, I'm getting a into a routine for my meals. Every day, I start out with 8-16 ounces of water, and then a proffee, which I have come to look forward to even the night before. My proffees are simply a black coffee with a protein powder added. There are three products that I cycle through: Premier Vanilla, Orgain Vanilla, and Dymatize Vanilla.
      For second breakfast on workdays, I will have a low-fat yogurt with two tablespoons of PBFit and two teaspoons of no sugar added dried cherries. I will have ingested 35-45 grams of protein at this point between the two breakfasts, with 250-285 calories, and about 20 carbs.
      For second breakfast on non-workdays, I will prepare two servings of plain, instant oatmeal with a tablespoon of an olive oil-based spread. This means I will have had 34 grams of protein, 365 calories, and 38 carbs. Non-workdays are when I am being very active with training sessions, so I allow myself more carbohydrate fuel.
      Snacks on any day are always mixed nuts, even when I am travelling. I will have 0.2 cups of a blend that I make myself. It consists of dry roasted peanuts, cashews, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, pistachios, and Brazil nuts. This is 5 grams of protein, 163 calories, and 7 carbs.
      Breakfast and snacks have been the easiest to nail down. Lunch and dinner have more variables, and I prepare enough for leftovers. I concentrate on protein first, and then add vegetables. Typically tempeh, tofu, or Field Roast products with roasted or sautéed vegetables. Today, I will be eating leftovers from last night. Two ounces of tempeh with four ounces of roasted vegetables that consist of red and yellow sweet peppers, sweet potatoes, small purple potatoes, zucchini, and carrots. I will add a tablespoon of olive oil-based spread, break up 3 walnuts to sprinkle of top, and garnish with two tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese. This particular meal will be 19 grams of protein, 377 calories, and 28 grams of carbs. Bear in mind that I do eat more carbs when I am not working, and I focus on ingesting healthy carbs instead of breads/crackers/chips/crisps.
      It's a helluva journey and I'm thankful to be on it!
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×