BGL's and surgery....

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-07-2004
BGL's and surgery....
9
Thu, 12-09-2004 - 11:19pm

Just wondered if anyone knows......I have just been diagnosed with gallstones after 2 awful attacks earlier this week. Surgery has been recommended, but not scheduled as yet.I am type 2 diabetic reasonably well controlled with diet, but I am wondering if or how surgery might effect my BGL's. Also - and this is probably a stretch - but does anyone know if there is a relationship between diabetes and gallstones? Just curious.

Thanks,
Lisa.

Avatar for coldfingers
Community Leader
Registered: 04-30-2000
Fri, 12-10-2004 - 12:05am

Surgery will up your bgls.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 06-02-2004
Fri, 12-10-2004 - 8:21am

I had surgery 3 months ago, my blood sugars were higher immediately following surgery and was placed on a sliding scale of insulin while in the hospital. My BS was tested three times each day (more than that on the day of surgery) and I was on a meal plan like I follow at home based on my endocrinologists orders. I insisted that my surgeon consult my endo while I was in the hospital so I could be sure of proper treatment of my diabetes. When I was discharged I went back on my regular dose of Glucophage, it took several weeks fo my BS to stabilized.

I am not sure of a correlation between gallbladder problems and diabetes but I did have my gallbladder removed a year ago because it was full of sludge and stones.

Good luck with your surgery!

Jan

Avatar for cl_maryfrances40
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Sat, 12-11-2004 - 12:50am

Lisa,


There may be a connection between diabetes and gall stones and it revolves around your cholesterol. Cholesterol and triglycerides are elevated in many diabetics and this leads to the formation of stones. You may have heard of metabolic syndrome. Do you have any idea what your cholesterol is running?


Because of the insult to your body caused by the surgery your blood sugar after surgery is usually higher than normal for you. The current trend is to watch the blood sugar closely and keep it as close to normal as possible because that prevents infections and other complications and allows the patient to go home from surgery sooner. So it is not unusual to see patients being given intravenous insulin in surgery and recovery if needed and then switched over to injections until the patient is able to get back on an even keel.


I get so frustrated with the way Cheryl was treated because that isn't the current recommendations for care. Cheryl has worked so hard to get her blood sugar under control and to lose the weight that she needs to lose and I feel like she wasn't congratulated or rewarded for all this hard work. There is so much money spent in the US educating nursing and medical personnel about the standards of care and taking diabetes seriously but still you hear people being told that they don't have diabetes because they aren't on medication or they are borderline. Balderdash! There is no such thing as borderline and the person has their diabetes undercontrol. They need to be respected for managing their disease.

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-17-2001
Sat, 12-11-2004 - 4:00pm

Hi Lisa,

MaryFrancis is terrific isn't she? I can share with you that like you my diabetes is under decent control through attention and work. Four years ago at age 68 I underwent an nine hour craniotomy to remove a benign brain tumor that was threatening to blind me. Talk about stress! My treatment team of doctor's and nurses kept my sugar under control as MaryFrancis explained. And then two years ago I had a radical prostatectomy that from all current tests left me cancer free. Am I a survivor our what? Again the treatment team handled my diabetes just fine. During both procedures I was given some insulin before being returnd to my normal meds of glucophage XR. I think you'll be just fine. Now, at 72 I look forward to taking our annual migration south to Cedar Key,FL. in February were we will go sea kayaking in the Gulf and tidal rivers. Not bad for a couple of cranks, hey? Good fortune and Happy Holidays.

Kindest regards,

Paul

Castaway


A Friend in Recovery


Paul

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-07-2004
Sun, 12-12-2004 - 5:02am

Hi and many thanks!!! You're all so wonderful and helpful here.I am seeing the surgeon on Thursday and will update you then, but I have been painfree since last week despite eating a few things I shouldn't have, so maybe surgery can wait......or maybe I am just being hopeful! Generally speaking my BGL's have been pretty good with only the odd one over 8 , although my morning ones are often over 7 which is probably not so good. I will discuss my diabetes with the surgeon too.

Mary Francis.....I was told my cholesterol was fine, but my triglycerides were quite high. Maybe there is something in that.

Once again, thank-you all,
Lisa.

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-07-2004
Thu, 12-16-2004 - 12:33am

Just an update on me......I saw the surgeon this afternoon and I have been scheduled for surgery on the 2nd Feb. I was offered next week, but that is just too soon! Can't say I cared much for his bedside manner, but his credentials are good so I guess that's what's important.

Lisa.

Avatar for cl_maryfrances40
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Thu, 12-16-2004 - 1:09am

Okay Lisa,


You have about six weeks to get ready for surgery. Now is the time to start getting that exercise program in high gear and your blood sugar under the best control that you can achieve. Try to lose some of the weight that you need to lose (why do I say this? because 90% of type 2 diabetics are over weight!) This really will make your recovery easier. Did the surgeon tell you how he planned to do the surgery and how long he expected you to be in the hospital? I bet you will sail through this with flying colors and I do agree that Christmas week is a little too soon to have surgery unless it is an emergency. We will be here for you as you prepare and to hold you hand afterwards. So try not to worry too much as that can cause your blood sugar to rise also.


A gentle hug,

Mary Frances


cl-maryfrances40

Co-CL Diabetes Board


Avatar for coldfingers
Community Leader
Registered: 04-30-2000
Thu, 12-16-2004 - 5:25pm
If you can start walking.
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iVillage Member
Registered: 06-07-2004
Fri, 12-17-2004 - 4:35am

Thanks for the pep talk ladies!! I am very excited actually......I had my first appt with the dietician today who was very pleased with me, especially when she weighed me and discovered I have lost 8 kgs in the past 10 weeks!!!!!I have about 15 to go.I have let my walking slip in the past 2 weeks or so, but intend to get back on track with that.

I have given it a lot of thought and have decided to get a second opinion. I know I have to have the surgery, but the dr was so awful and rude I just don't want it to be him! Plus you know what he told me when I mentioned I had diet controlled diabetes??? He said 'get rid of that weight and you know what will happen? The diabetes will disappear!'I guess diabetes is not his specialty!!

Thanks again,
Lisa.