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Not Heidi

(1,466 posts)
Thu Mar 28, 2024, 07:17 PM Mar 2024

A1C and knee surgery

I've been informed today that my A1C has to be under 7.0 or my surgeon won't replace my right knee. (It sounds like it's full of dry corn flakes, and I can't describe how it feels but to say ouch.) Last time my A1C was tested, about eight months ago, it was 6.4.

My surgery is scheduled for July, so I have plenty of time to keep it under control. But it has been so long since I paid attention or even tested regularly that I don't really remember how to keep my blood sugar under control. I feel like a dolt.

Do you have any advice, links, books or other materials I can look up - anything you think might help me get back to where I should be with this disease? Think of me as a beginner. And think A1C below 7.0.

I'd be so very grateful.

17 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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A1C and knee surgery (Original Post) Not Heidi Mar 2024 OP
I had an A1C of 7.3 and MOMFUDSKI Mar 2024 #1
Anything over 6.0 is dangerous. jimfields33 Mar 2024 #2
I had total abdominal wall reconstruction in October woodsprite Mar 2024 #3
Good advice here, kozar Mar 2024 #8
Lentils, beans, canned fish can be relatively inexpensive. LuvLoogie Apr 2024 #15
woodsprite, thank you for Not Heidi Mar 2024 #10
How have you recovered? n/t Not Heidi Mar 2024 #4
7 would be very difficult for me to get to as a type 2 yourout Mar 2024 #5
I'm going to call my surgeon's PA and ask Not Heidi Mar 2024 #11
Make sure, you're well hydrated, kozar Mar 2024 #6
Koz, thank you. Not Heidi Mar 2024 #12
Dude they'll have you walking... Happy Hoosier May 2024 #16
I feel your pain. Powersquid8645 Mar 2024 #7
Although I'd put it differently, Not Heidi Mar 2024 #13
Find a different surgeon. Happy Hoosier May 2024 #17
I think MFM008 Mar 2024 #9
MFM Not Heidi Mar 2024 #14
 

MOMFUDSKI

(7,080 posts)
1. I had an A1C of 7.3 and
Thu Mar 28, 2024, 07:26 PM
Mar 2024

had spine surgery a year ago. Doc is being a bit of a tyrant? I would tell him he isn’t the only game in town.

jimfields33

(19,195 posts)
2. Anything over 6.0 is dangerous.
Thu Mar 28, 2024, 07:36 PM
Mar 2024

Try cutting carbs for the next three months until the blood test. That should get it down to acceptable levels.

woodsprite

(12,231 posts)
3. I had total abdominal wall reconstruction in October
Thu Mar 28, 2024, 07:45 PM
Mar 2024

They told me it had to be an 8 or below.

I was told the following:
Men should aim for 40-45 carbs per meal.
Women should aim for 30-35 carbs per meal.
Snacks - 2 to 3 a day - should contain protein and shouldn't go over 15 carbs each.

Using the plate method, my nutritionist said 1/2 of the plate should be non-starchy veggies, 1/4 protein, and 1/4 whole grain pasta/bread.

If you have a sweet or fruit, make sure to eat it with a meal containing protein.

Walking at least for 10 minutes after each meal is recommended, or 30-40 min per day.

I found I had better control aiming for the 28-30 per meal and 10-12 for snacks. I’m trying to get my numbers back in line. Infections, stress, etc can affect your numbers. I’m pretty sure if they checked me now it’d be higher than 8 just because of back to back to back bladder infections since December.

Best of luck! 🤞. I bought an A1c Now test to let me know if I was going in the right direction just to give me a “head’s up”.

I’m on Metformin and Januvia. I’m thinking the Januvia might be behind the infections, so I have an appt to see if I can drop the Januvia and get something else to help with my nighttime numbers. ☹️

kozar

(2,905 posts)
8. Good advice here,
Thu Mar 28, 2024, 08:19 PM
Mar 2024

I had bariatric surgery, 13 years ago, weighed 450. Havent been over 225, for 10 years.So I have a very restricted diet. It, is basically, water, and proteins.
Carbs, can put me in a " sugar dump" real quick.
Proteins are so important,
Also, the most expensive, food group.


Koz

LuvLoogie

(7,562 posts)
15. Lentils, beans, canned fish can be relatively inexpensive.
Sun Apr 28, 2024, 10:38 AM
Apr 2024

research the better kinds of canned fish. Also, if you have an Aldi near you, they often have beef prices that are lower than other supermarkets. If you live in a larger urban area, see if there is a meat wholesaler open to the public.

yourout

(8,099 posts)
5. 7 would be very difficult for me to get to as a type 2
Thu Mar 28, 2024, 08:04 PM
Mar 2024

The last time I was being looked at for surgery he just said I had to be at 8 or less.

Not Heidi

(1,466 posts)
11. I'm going to call my surgeon's PA and ask
Fri Mar 29, 2024, 05:34 AM
Mar 2024

why the number required for surgery fluctuates so from doctor from doctor, and why Dr. M. and his practice mates require less than 7. Inquiring minds want to know.

kozar

(2,905 posts)
6. Make sure, you're well hydrated,
Thu Mar 28, 2024, 08:09 PM
Mar 2024

With water, lots of water, lean proteins first, ( corn flakes have sugars, and about 0, nutritional value) eat an egg instead.or Special K with lactose free milk. ( it tas tastes really good)
Hoping all goes well. I've had 3,replacements, both hips and a knee. do the exercises,even the " heel slide" while lying down. walk, as soon as possible , it hurts, but, You aren't letting the scar tissue, form.

Good luck!

Koz

Powersquid8645

(2 posts)
7. I feel your pain.
Thu Mar 28, 2024, 08:16 PM
Mar 2024

I have severe osteoarthritis in both knees. My right knee is so bad it has made me bedridden. Two different surgeons told me, my BMI was too high, which it is. And because I was a diabetic type 2, it would take too long for me to heal. Manure. I can’t be the only fat diabetic woman in America with bad knees.

Not Heidi

(1,466 posts)
13. Although I'd put it differently,
Fri Mar 29, 2024, 05:45 AM
Mar 2024

no, you can't be the only one. I know that because I'm in the same club. Let's start an actual club: PWBK (Portly Women with Bad Knees). What do you say? We'd have to rent Anaheim Stadium for our meetings. Our motto can be: Manure.

I wish for you common-sense doctors - and soon.

Happy Hoosier

(8,486 posts)
17. Find a different surgeon.
Wed May 8, 2024, 09:27 PM
May 2024

I had a very high BMI when I had my knees replaced. As long as your heart can handle the anesthesia, there is no reason not to do the surgery, lime you, I was in pain all the time. Getting my knees replaced changed my life.

MFM008

(20,008 posts)
9. I think
Fri Mar 29, 2024, 01:27 AM
Mar 2024

The last time I had my A1C checked it was 5.0 or something like that and when I ever have any medical questions I always hit the internet hit the books start looking up recipes that are particularly helpful in lowering blood sugar relaxation exercises that kind of thing I found something that of course I find helpful you may not is listening to those wonderful tapes or audio books that tell you how relaxed you are it works I always fall asleep because my A1C used to be high enough that I was pre-diabetic. I feel your pain I'm headed for my second knee replacement on both knees yeah that can happen Good luck to both of us.

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