conceit
Baroness
- Joined
- Jan 7, 2014
- Messages
- 188
Hi everybody,
I hope you are all doing well! I have been away for a very long stretch this time. On my end, I've switched careers since then, exited a long term relationship, become a caregiver to my mother and have maintained normal A1Cs (between 4.9 and 5.5, averaging around 5.2) and slightly elevated fasting numbers (100-115) for about 5 years now. My kidneys, livers, eyes etc. are all fine. Coronary arteries look great on CT coronary angiograms, so I'd say so far so good on the Diabetes front. If I count the 'pre-D' years, I have probably been diabetic for close to 10 years now. Keeping fingers crossed
I have mild sleep apnea for which I use daily CPAP. Cholesterol levels are a bit elevated but otherwise stable.
My weight, despite a keto-ish low carb diet (under 30 grams of carbs per day, no more than 5 grams of net carbs for dinner), has stayed about the same. I work out on and off, but as we all know, neither the diet nor weight would have done much with my endocrine system and body being what it is.
Thankfully, If I may say so myself, successfully managing diabetes for close to half a decade, which is both not very long and an eternity considering the level of discipline I have exercised every single day for years on end, has given me a lot of confidence about managing life after WLS. I have refused meds like Jardiance and the weight loss drugs (Victoza), preferring to maintain my numbers through diet, exercise and metformin usage alone. It's worked okay so far, but I can't count on it forever as I head towards my 40s in the next couple of years.
I have not opted for the DS, because caregiving and COVID both impacted my finances in the last couple of years. I am saving up for it again and will be able to self-pay by the end of the year.
But if I am honest, there's also a part of me that wants to keep managing diabetes the way I've been doing so far because I worry about the nutritional impact of the DS, 30, 40 years down the line.
And I am also aware I will not always be lucky enough to manage diabetes just with diet, exercise and metformin. So the DS is my best bet for remission and better outcomes regarding coronary artery disease (for which I have a family history) later in life. It's still a very daunting decision to me. All these years later, a big life changing surgery like the DS feels like a massive responsibility (and it is). It intimidates me, if I am honest.
And maybe that's how it is for us anxious folks until we have our surgeries.
Quick questions:
A while back I had read Vitalady was no longer operating her supplements business, if I recall correctly. Where do folks buy DS vites these days, usually? I will also look up the forum for more details tomorrow.
Do folks know if Dr. Ungson/Dr. Esquerra and/or Dr. Marchesini are still working? I will email them this week as well.
Thank you all for reading, for your compassion and support through the years. When I first joined DS spaces, I was a baby...like I was barely 24. I can't believe I am 34 now. Time really does fly by. I am so glad this amazing group is still active. You were the first place I thought of as I ventured back into caring for my body long term.
I hope you are all doing well! I have been away for a very long stretch this time. On my end, I've switched careers since then, exited a long term relationship, become a caregiver to my mother and have maintained normal A1Cs (between 4.9 and 5.5, averaging around 5.2) and slightly elevated fasting numbers (100-115) for about 5 years now. My kidneys, livers, eyes etc. are all fine. Coronary arteries look great on CT coronary angiograms, so I'd say so far so good on the Diabetes front. If I count the 'pre-D' years, I have probably been diabetic for close to 10 years now. Keeping fingers crossed
I have mild sleep apnea for which I use daily CPAP. Cholesterol levels are a bit elevated but otherwise stable.
My weight, despite a keto-ish low carb diet (under 30 grams of carbs per day, no more than 5 grams of net carbs for dinner), has stayed about the same. I work out on and off, but as we all know, neither the diet nor weight would have done much with my endocrine system and body being what it is.
Thankfully, If I may say so myself, successfully managing diabetes for close to half a decade, which is both not very long and an eternity considering the level of discipline I have exercised every single day for years on end, has given me a lot of confidence about managing life after WLS. I have refused meds like Jardiance and the weight loss drugs (Victoza), preferring to maintain my numbers through diet, exercise and metformin usage alone. It's worked okay so far, but I can't count on it forever as I head towards my 40s in the next couple of years.
I have not opted for the DS, because caregiving and COVID both impacted my finances in the last couple of years. I am saving up for it again and will be able to self-pay by the end of the year.
But if I am honest, there's also a part of me that wants to keep managing diabetes the way I've been doing so far because I worry about the nutritional impact of the DS, 30, 40 years down the line.
And I am also aware I will not always be lucky enough to manage diabetes just with diet, exercise and metformin. So the DS is my best bet for remission and better outcomes regarding coronary artery disease (for which I have a family history) later in life. It's still a very daunting decision to me. All these years later, a big life changing surgery like the DS feels like a massive responsibility (and it is). It intimidates me, if I am honest.
And maybe that's how it is for us anxious folks until we have our surgeries.
Quick questions:
A while back I had read Vitalady was no longer operating her supplements business, if I recall correctly. Where do folks buy DS vites these days, usually? I will also look up the forum for more details tomorrow.
Do folks know if Dr. Ungson/Dr. Esquerra and/or Dr. Marchesini are still working? I will email them this week as well.
Thank you all for reading, for your compassion and support through the years. When I first joined DS spaces, I was a baby...like I was barely 24. I can't believe I am 34 now. Time really does fly by. I am so glad this amazing group is still active. You were the first place I thought of as I ventured back into caring for my body long term.
