Hi: I'm not a salesman for any surgeon. I am a former type II
diabetic who had duodenal switch surgery at Cornell U Medical Center
in New York by Dr. Michael Gagner and Dr. Alfons Pomp. I
had "impaired glucose tolerance" during my pregnancy in 1995, which
became type 2 in 1997. I weighed 286 pounds. I was taking metformin
and Actos and measuring blood sugars before and after every meal and
at bedtime. My doctor and I were discussing insulin therapy when I
found duodenal switch. My HBA1C was 14. I was out of control but I
REALLY didn't want to start insulin, because I'd seen what my mother
went through.
After surgery, I've lost 122 pounds. My most recent HBA1C was 4. I
don't know how it works, but I know it works. I asked my doctor if I
still had diabetes and he said no. I'm shocked that a treatment
exists for diabetes and it isn't being offered to patients. It's
expensive (about $50,000) but mine was covered by insurance. I don't
have any more medications. My cholesterol levels are normal too.
I refer you to this article in the Journal of the American Medical
Association that convinced me to risk my life with this surgery. I'm
so glad I did. Buchwald. JAMA. 2004; 292: 1724-1737. Available
www.jama.com. He did a meta=analysis of studies and found that
diabetes was completely resolved in 76.8% and resolved or improved in
86% of patients following weight loss (Bariatric) surgery.
I detect the hostility on this board to the original poster. I was
suspicious at first, but I'll be happy to answer any questions about
it. Good luck to you! Nancy