We recently had our first Type 1 Diabetic Mellitus Patient (Zelda Venter), undergo Bariatric Surgery this past year, and her results have been phenomenal. This was not a light hearted decision to admit Zelda into the Bariatric Program – our Endocrinologist worked very intentionally and intensively in preparing the patient medically, and making sure that the procedure was safe within her Type 1 restrictions. This procedure is not extensively done on Type 1 Diabetic patients, but our patient did have Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) and a Medtronic Insulin Pump, which meant measuring her parameters was easier, and therefore making the surgery more viable.
Zelda worked very intensively before and after the surgery with the Endocrinologist, Dietitian and Diabetes Educator, and was monitored daily in conjunction with her CGM and pump control.
Thank you to Zelda for being so open to share this photo. The photo on the left was taken in January 2023, and then the photo on the right was taken in October 2023. Apart from the much improved glucose management that Zelda has been able to achieve, she has also lost 18kg. Zelda had been using her Medtronic pump for the past 7 years, and since her operation, is currently using 46% less insulin compared to the past 2 years, and states that she has never felt more human. She will always be reliant on an insulin pump, but her daily titrations are significantly less, and her glucose management is so much better controlled.
Zelda says that “It’s the best decision I ever made”, and “The surgery was a life changer”.
This is Zelda’s personal story of her own victory in her life, and we as the Bariatric Team are so proud of her.
