|  | Conditions Treatments | Diabetes

Surgery Risks With Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is a disease that occurs when the cells in your body become resistant to the effects of insulin, causing elevated levels of blood glucose. Risks associated with surgery are among the many possible complications of type 2 Diabetes.

  1. Background

    • Diabetes causes wounds to heal slowly and poses an increased risk for infection. Additionally, diabetics require regular food and monitoring of blood sugar levels to avoid potentially serious elevations or drops in blood sugar.

    During Surgery

    • Many types of surgery require fasting to avoid potentially harmful side effects from anesthesia, and the surgery also often requires patients to be unconscious for an extended period of time during the procedure. This has the potential to cause drops in blood sugar due to not eating and lack of proper glucose monitoring, posing a risk for dangerous hypoglycemia in diabetic patients.

    After Surgery

    • After surgery, the area of incision is likely to heal more slowly in diabetic patients. This is particularly dangerous when combined with the threat of infections such as sepsis or staph due to suppressed immune functioning caused by diabetes.

    Solutions

    • Schedule surgery for early in the morning when blood sugar levels are most stable and fasting less likely to cause hypoglycemia. Antibiotic medications may be used as a precautionary measure to prevent infections.

    Considerations

    • If you develop a fever or redness around the site of your incision or discharge from the site after surgery, notify your doctor immediately as this could be a sign of infection.

Diabetes - Related Articles