Bloodwork showed type 2 diabetes

[Theia103121 21]

The title pretty much explains it. Two fasting glucose levels that weren't astronomically high by any means, but high enough to qualify me for a diagnosis. I'm not very thrilled about it.

In a way, it's good because my doctor has wanted to try Ozempic (sp?) with me and now my insurance will cover it, especially since I had an adverse reaction to metformin. It might help me lose the 30 lbs. I have to lose to qualify for the surgery.

On the other hand, I'm totally depressed. I was hoping to make more gradual changes to my eating habits, but now that's not going to get to happen. I've had gestational diabetes, too, so I know all that goes along with a diabetes diagnosis in terms of diet and medication and such. But I know there's a whole bunch of other stuff I'm now more likely to get that they'll probably test for as well. I hope it doesn't delay things.

Did anyone else have the experience of finding out they had diabetes during the process?

[SleeveToBypass2023 1,837]

2 hours ago, Theia103121 said:

The title pretty much explains it. Two fasting glucose levels that weren't astronomically high by any means, but high enough to qualify me for a diagnosis. I'm not very thrilled about it.

In a way, it's good because my doctor has wanted to try Ozempic (sp?) with me and now my insurance will cover it, especially since I had an adverse reaction to metformin. It might help me lose the 30 lbs. I have to lose to qualify for the surgery.

On the other hand, I'm totally depressed. I was hoping to make more gradual changes to my eating habits, but now that's not going to get to happen. I've had gestational diabetes, too, so I know all that goes along with a diabetes diagnosis in terms of diet and medication and such. But I know there's a whole bunch of other stuff I'm now more likely to get that they'll probably test for as well. I hope it doesn't delay things.

Did anyone else have the experience of finding out they had diabetes during the process?

I actually had diabetes when I started the process. My A1c was around 7.6 or so and my glucose levels were usually around the 160-170 rang when I would test. I was on 3 diabetes meds, a cholesterol med, a blood pressure med, 2 anti-inflammatory meds. Not only did having diabetes not delay things, having comorbidities actually helped speed up the approval process for me.

I know you wanted gradual changes to your eating, and to a certain extent you can still have that. But it's important to start getting your mindset and habits changed at least a little before surgery. Once you have it, you have to make drastic changes pretty fast. Better to start now. I would start by eliminating soda and anything carbonated. Get caffeine from coffee (the kind you can make at home) using sugar free sweeteners and low/no calorie Creamers (or almond milk) and tea (personally, I prefer tea). Swap out regular chocolate, candy, popsicles, pudding, etc to the sugar free kinds. Start lowering your carb intake and try cutting down on Pasta, bread, potatoes, etc... There's Keto versions of bread that taste fantastic.

Look at the way the bariatric diets require you to eat (protein first, then veggies, then carbs) and try to plan your meals around that (protein helps you feel full longer). Practice getting in at least 64oz of Water now so you can be used to drinking it a lot. You can still eat yummy foods, just change the way you do it. It's less jarring if you start the process now.

[Theia103121 21]

1 hour ago, SleeveToBypass2023 said:

I know you wanted gradual changes to your eating, and to a certain extent you can still have that. But it's important to start getting your mindset and habits changed at least a little before surgery. Once you have it, you have to make drastic changes pretty fast. Better to start now. I would start by eliminating soda and anything carbonated. Get caffeine from coffee (the kind you can make at home) using sugar free sweeteners and low/no calorie Creamers (or almond milk) and tea (personally, I prefer tea). Swap out regular chocolate, candy, popsicles, pudding, etc to the sugar free kinds. Start lowering your carb intake and try cutting down on Pasta, bread, potatoes, etc... There's Keto versions of bread that taste fantastic.

This part here is where I struggle and where I have always struggled with diets. I can't stand sugar substitutes. And now, if I want to enjoy many of my favorite foods, I have to deal with them. And while I don't eat a lot of bread or potatoes, I do enjoy pasta- and veggie curls are not the same. I'm sensitive to texture and smell, and a lot of the substitute-oriented foods, whether it's Protein Drinks with artificial sweeteners or cauliflower Pizza Crust, are just texturally different than the real deal.

How is your blood sugar now that you've had the surgery? Are you still considered diabetic? I usually go through 4 18 oz bottles of Water a day as well as 2-4 12 oz glasses, so at least my water intake is good. I've eliminated coffee except for an occasional treat because I have tachycardia, and coffee just makes it worse. As a general rule, I'd rather eat my calories than drink them.

I've started keeping a food log, and I'm trying to keep to under a certain amount of calories a day- about 300 less than I was eating when I first started keeping the log. I know I've got a long way to go; I just was hoping that what I was doing would be enough to allow things to go more slowly. I'm at the very beginning of this process; I have to do six months of a medically supervised diet and lose 30 lbs to qualify for the surgery.

[SleeveToBypass2023 1,837]

2 hours ago, Theia103121 said:

This part here is where I struggle and where I have always struggled with diets. I can't stand sugar substitutes. And now, if I want to enjoy many of my favorite foods, I have to deal with them. And while I don't eat a lot of bread or potatoes, I do enjoy pasta- and veggie curls are not the same. I'm sensitive to texture and smell, and a lot of the substitute-oriented foods, whether it's Protein Drinks with artificial sweeteners or cauliflower Pizza Crust, are just texturally different than the real deal.

How is your blood sugar now that you've had the surgery? Are you still considered diabetic? I usually go through 4 18 oz bottles of Water a day as well as 2-4 12 oz glasses, so at least my Water intake is good. I've eliminated coffee except for an occasional treat because I have tachycardia, and coffee just makes it worse. As a general rule, I'd rather eat my calories than drink them.

I've started keeping a food log, and I'm trying to keep to under a certain amount of calories a day- about 300 less than I was eating when I first started keeping the log. I know I've got a long way to go; I just was hoping that what I was doing would be enough to allow things to go more slowly. I'm at the very beginning of this process; I have to do six months of a medically supervised diet and lose 30 lbs to qualify for the surgery.

I'm no longer diabetic. My A1c is now 5.5 and my glucose tends to stay between 107-112 when checked. I'm no longer on any of the meds I was on because all of my numbers are normal. For a sugar substitute, I use Monk Fruit sweetener. I can't stand anything else. I hate the gross taste of everything else. sugar free foods are actually really good these days. I don't use veggie curls to substitute Pasta. There are Keto pasta noodles (and keto bread, which is really good) that I prefer. Normal calorie intake is 2000 calories. I would work on getting yours down to 1600 by surgery time. You will eat A LOT less than that after the surgery, but lowering your calories and carbs will help you drop the weight you need to qualify for the surgery. I would also work on getting your carbs down to 70-80 per day by surgery day. Again, you will be consuming a lot less than that after surgery, but getting them down now will help you later.

[SleeveToBypass2023 1,837]

6 hours ago, Theia103121 said:

The title pretty much explains it. Two fasting glucose levels that weren't astronomically high by any means, but high enough to qualify me for a diagnosis. I'm not very thrilled about it.

In a way, it's good because my doctor has wanted to try Ozempic (sp?) with me and now my insurance will cover it, especially since I had an adverse reaction to metformin. It might help me lose the 30 lbs. I have to lose to qualify for the surgery.

On the other hand, I'm totally depressed. I was hoping to make more gradual changes to my eating habits, but now that's not going to get to happen. I've had gestational diabetes, too, so I know all that goes along with a diabetes diagnosis in terms of diet and medication and such. But I know there's a whole bunch of other stuff I'm now more likely to get that they'll probably test for as well. I hope it doesn't delay things.

Did anyone else have the experience of finding out they had diabetes during the process?

ALSO, what kind of exercising are you doing? If you aren't, definitely start. Either Water exercises, or walks, or basic floor and chair exercises (lots of beginner workouts for free on youtube). You are FOR SURE going to have to exercise after the surgery, so you want to start that now, as well. And again, it will help you lose the weight you need to qualify for the surgery.

[summerseeker 1,852]

9 hours ago, SleeveToBypass2023 said:

ALSO, what kind of exercising are you doing? If you aren't, definitely start. Either Water exercises, or walks, or basic floor and chair exercises (lots of beginner workouts for free on youtube). You are FOR SURE going to have to exercise after the surgery, so you want to start that now, as well. And again, it will help you lose the weight you need to qualify for the surgery.

I rarely disagree with an opinion on here but on the point of exercise I do. Before surgery I was too disabled to exercise. Staying indoors during the covid years had added lots of weight on my carcass. [ it was a government decision to keep certain people with certain illnesses indoors ] I was too old and too heavy to even begin basic exercises.

After surgery it took a lot of bravery on my part to start walking. Everything scared me after being indoors for 2 years. At about 8 months out and 100lbs down, walking became easier for me.

The only exercise I do is cooking, cleaning, walking, shopping and volunteering in a charity shop for one day a week. So I have done zero exercise and lost 150+ lbs

[Theia103121 21]

10 hours ago, SleeveToBypass2023 said:

ALSO, what kind of exercising are you doing? If you aren't, definitely start. Either Water exercises, or walks, or basic floor and chair exercises (lots of beginner workouts for free on youtube). You are FOR SURE going to have to exercise after the surgery, so you want to start that now, as well. And again, it will help you lose the weight you need to qualify for the surgery.

I'm trying to get a referral to cardiac rehab. In the meantime, the hospital offers supervised exercise in their gym, and I'm going to give that a try and see if that's enough help. Between pain issues and de-conditioning and conditions that cause post-exertional malaise, just striking out on my own right now isn't really an option.

[SleeveToBypass2023 1,837]

2 minutes ago, Theia103121 said:

I'm trying to get a referral to cardiac rehab. In the meantime, the hospital offers supervised exercise in their gym, and I'm going to give that a try and see if that's enough help. Between pain issues and de-conditioning and conditions that cause post-exertional malaise, just striking out on my own right now isn't really an option.

Any kind of movement helps. Walking, shopping at the store, chair exercises, any and all of it help. I think you're on the right track, and you'll definitely get there

[SleeveToBypass2023 1,837]

1 hour ago, summerseeker said:

I rarely disagree with an opinion on here but on the point of exercise I do. Before surgery I was too disabled to exercise. Staying indoors during the covid years had added lots of weight on my carcass. [ it was a government decision to keep certain people with certain illnesses indoors ] I was too old and too heavy to even begin basic exercises.

After surgery it took a lot of bravery on my part to start walking. Everything scared me after being indoors for 2 years. At about 8 months out and 100lbs down, walking became easier for me.

The only exercise I do is cooking, cleaning, walking, shopping and volunteering in a charity shop for one day a week. So I have done zero exercise and lost 150+ lbs

But see? You actually ARE exercising your body. Just volunteering, walking, shopping, cleaning. That's moving your body, which helps. If what you're doing now is more than what you did before, it counts. Formal workouts aren't the only way to exercise your body. I think you're doing awesome, and everything you're doing helps AND counts.

[BlondePatriotInCDA 228]

15 hours ago, SleeveToBypass2023 said:

I actually had diabetes when I started the process. My A1c was around 7.6 or so and my glucose levels were usually around the 160-170 rang when I would test. I was on 3 diabetes meds, a cholesterol med, a blood pressure med, 2 anti-inflammatory meds. Not only did having diabetes not delay things, having comorbidities actually helped speed up the approval process for me.

I know you wanted gradual changes to your eating, and to a certain extent you can still have that. But it's important to start getting your mindset and habits changed at least a little before surgery. Once you have it, you have to make drastic changes pretty fast. Better to start now. I would start by eliminating soda and anything carbonated. Get caffeine from coffee (the kind you can make at home) using sugar free sweeteners and low/no calorie Creamers (or almond milk) and tea (personally, I prefer tea). Swap out regular chocolate, candy, popsicles, pudding, etc to the sugar free kinds. Start lowering your carb intake and try cutting down on Pasta, bread, potatoes, etc... There's Keto versions of bread that taste fantastic.

Look at the way the bariatric diets require you to eat (protein first, then veggies, then carbs) and try to plan your meals around that (protein helps you feel full longer). Practice getting in at least 64oz of Water now so you can be used to drinking it a lot. You can still eat yummy foods, just change the way you do it. It's less jarring if you start the process now.

I did Atkins Keto for years...you actually found a keto bread that tasted "fantastic"? I never did and believe me I looked, they all tasted nasty to me! If you don't mind...what brand I'd love to eventually add it to my healthy eating routine later?!

[SleeveToBypass2023 1,837]

2 hours ago, BlondePatriotinCDA said:

I did Atkins Keto for years...you actually found a Keto bread that tasted "fantastic"? I never did and believe me I looked, they all tasted nasty to me! If you don't mind...what brand I'd love to eventually add it to my healthy eating routine later?!

I get it at Walmart. They also have a few other flavors in this brand, but I just prefer white. I put avocado on it and LOVE it. I also put butter, cinnamon, and Monkfruit sweetener on it if I want some cinnamon toast (I can only eat 1 piece since I have such a small stomach, but it's REALLY good).

[BlondePatriotInCDA 228]

8 minutes ago, SleeveToBypass2023 said:

I get it at Walmart. They also have a few other flavors in this brand, but I just prefer white. I put avocado on it and LOVE it. I also put butter, cinnamon, and Monkfruit sweetener on it if I want some cinnamon toast (I can only eat 1 piece since I have such a small stomach, but it's REALLY good).

Thank you..I'll give it a try when I can have bread again...I miss my avocado toast!

[SleeveToBypass2023 1,837]

7 minutes ago, BlondePatriotinCDA said:

Thank you..I'll give it a try when I can have bread again...I miss my avocado toast!

No problem!! I missed it, too. That's why I went on the hunt for one that was decent. It's not perfect, but if you have it with avocado on it, it's fantastic.

[Arabesque 6,488]

I’m a non traditional exerciser like @summerseeker. I lost all my weight & more too. (Exercise only contributes to about 10% of any weight you want to lose.) Not that I can’t go to the gym or go running or whatever, I simply don’t enjoy it. I upped my general activities like parking further away from where I was going, did multiple trips up & down my stairs to bring things up, etc. As you start to lose weight you’ll find these things or other activities easier to do. It just will take time especially as you’re really staring from scratch with your fitness.

Can I suggest buying some resistance bands. I got mine from Kmart. I started using them about 10 months or so ago to do some stretches & also do wall push-ups to support my back to maintain my flexibility. Most are on the floor. I do short burst of a couple of minutes about 4 times a day (called exercise snacking). You should see my arms & knees. Not bulging muscles but nice definition which I prefer.

It’s a matter of finding what works for you & you enjoy & it may change as you progress.

All the best.

[NCL04321 151]

23 hours ago, summerseeker said:

I rarely disagree with an opinion on here but on the point of exercise I do. Before surgery I was too disabled to exercise. Staying indoors during the covid years had added lots of weight on my carcass. [ it was a government decision to keep certain people with certain illnesses indoors ] I was too old and too heavy to even begin basic exercises.

After surgery it took a lot of bravery on my part to start walking. Everything scared me after being indoors for 2 years. At about 8 months out and 100lbs down, walking became easier for me.

The only exercise I do is cooking, cleaning, walking, shopping and volunteering in a charity shop for one day a week. So I have done zero exercise and lost 150+ lbs

I agree with you! i have done very little exercise. It is mostly just what we put in our mouths, and cutting back on the quantity of food we eat that makes us lose weight. Of course i would never tell anyone not to exercise because we all need it for our joints and cardiovascular system, but as far as losing weight i have found it to be not all that important.