Hi my name is Jim and I am a Type 1 diabetic totally dependent on Insulin injections.

I am 78 years old, married (58 years) and as of December 7, 2018 I had what is none as Whipple surgery. They took out my Pancreas, Spleen and gall bladder. Needless to say being literally thrown into being a Type 1 diabetic has not been easy to deal with at my age. Almost everything I have read is telling people with diabetes to lose weight. I can't afford to lose weight. Hope you can help.

Replies

  • LyndaBSS
    LyndaBSS Posts: 6,964 Member
    Welcome to the community! <3

    I'm sorry for all of your health issues. I hope you heal emotionally and physically from your ordeal.

    If you haven't already, read the stickies at the top of the getting started forum. Very informative and helpful.

    Has your doctor told you to lose weight?

    Good luck with your journey!
  • Annie_01
    Annie_01 Posts: 3,096 Member
    jpac1943 wrote: »
    I am 78 years old, married (58 years) and as of December 7, 2018 I had what is none as Whipple surgery. They took out my Pancreas, Spleen and gall bladder. Needless to say being literally thrown into being a Type 1 diabetic has not been easy to deal with at my age. Almost everything I have read is telling people with diabetes to lose weight. I can't afford to lose weight. Hope you can help.

    I am not sure what you mean by "can't afford to lose weight". You don't need special foods in order to lose weight. By eating less of the foods that you would normally eat is how you can lose weight. I understand that with your medical conditions that your diet might have to change but you can still just buy normal foods and eat within a calorie deficit. Have you seen a dietician to help you determine what the best way of eating will be for you?
  • kimny72
    kimny72 Posts: 16,011 Member
    jpac1943 wrote: »
    I am 78 years old, married (58 years) and as of December 7, 2018 I had what is none as Whipple surgery. They took out my Pancreas, Spleen and gall bladder. Needless to say being literally thrown into being a Type 1 diabetic has not been easy to deal with at my age. Almost everything I have read is telling people with diabetes to lose weight. I can't afford to lose weight. Hope you can help.

    Do you mean you don't have the money? Or you have some other health issue that requires you to maintain your weight?

    If you're talking about money, luckily you don't need to buy anything special to lose weight. Just eat less calories than you burn. Check out all of these threads, they should help you figure out which direction to head in:

    https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1080242/a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants/p1

    https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10636388/free-customized-personal-weight-loss-eating-plan-not-spam-or-mlm/p1

    https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10610953/neat-improvement-strategies-to-improve-weight-loss/p1

    Obviously, you might have more specific rules you need to follow due to your medical diagnosis. Good luck!
  • concordancia
    concordancia Posts: 5,320 Member
    Were you just given insulin or were you also referrred to a dietician?

    So you have a continuous glucose monitor or are you doing regular finger pricks?

    Do you have an insulin pump or injections?
  • Randall2079
    Randall2079 Posts: 1 Member
    Hi, I am new here too, I would recommend reading some of Dr. Jason Fung books on fasting for type 2 diabetes. You can also find Dr Fung on youtube.
  • Annie_01
    Annie_01 Posts: 3,096 Member
    Hi, I am new here too, I would recommend reading some of Dr. Jason Fung books on fasting for type 2 diabetes. You can also find Dr Fung on youtube.

    Not sure but isn't T1 and T2 two different animals. Aren't they treated and managed differently? The OP is a type 1 diabetic not a type 2.
  • gerlcat
    gerlcat Posts: 27 Member
    If a Type 1 diabetic loses any amount of weight, they will still and always remain a Type 1 diabetic. The key to good glucose control for a Type 1 is knowing how much insulin you need to cover the amount of carbs you are eating and how much insulin you need to maintain a steady level 24/7.
    Your doctor should send you to an endocrinologist to help educate you on the best therapy for you. Technology has made it a whole lot easier now for us to monitor glucose levels on our iPhones!
    So sorry to hear about your medical issues. Good luck to you 😀
  • AliNouveau
    AliNouveau Posts: 36,287 Member
    jpac1943 wrote: »
    I am 78 years old, married (58 years) and as of December 7, 2018 I had what is none as Whipple surgery. They took out my Pancreas, Spleen and gall bladder. Needless to say being literally thrown into being a Type 1 diabetic has not been easy to deal with at my age. Almost everything I have read is telling people with diabetes to lose weight. I can't afford to lose weight. Hope you can help.

    Hey are you healthy?

    Oddly my dad had a Whipple and it helped his type 2 diabetes. He kept his pancreas just lost the part where there was a tumour.

    I think because you were thrown into this because of surgery you are a different case. Is there a dietitian to whom you can be referred?