Sugar Test

Hi Guys!
I am 11 weeks pregnant with suprise baby number four. I was banded literally right before I got pregnant. (I had in an IUD.) I am one of the wonderful .1% statistics.

I had someone tell me I should not have the sugar test. These are friends of ours and I respect their opinions. He has a family member who is banded and they passed that on to him.

I have not read that anywhere so I thought I might ask here. My OB has not had a band patient so she is no help. Has anyone heard of this? Thanks for any help.

re: "I had someone tell me I should not have the sugar test."

What exactly are you referring to?

Hi Kipton

I'm wondering if the 'sugar test' you are referring to is the blood glucose test they do to test for gestational diabetes?

Yes, I mean the gestational diabetes test where you have to drink the glucose drink and one hour layer they test your blood glucose level. Thanks for the help.

There's no reason to skip the test because you're banded.

When I did the medical history at my OB's, one of the questions was, "Have you had bariatric surgery?" I asked yes, they didn't ask for more info, and the assumption was made that I had gastric bypass. So when I went in for my first appointment, they had all kinds of information on proper nutrition to show me, and a little assessment to use for the glucose test to help avoid dumping. I had to explain to them, very slowly, that I don't dump, and that unless I'm so restricted I can't drink it, there's nothing about my band that would impede drinking the glucose or cause any after effects.

I'm about 18 wks and have no doubt that I will take the glucose test because there's no reason not to.

If I personally were in your situation, I would ask them to validate their suggestion a little. There's all the possibility in the world that they're confused over what happens with the band, what's going on internally, etc.

I had the one-hour and the three-hour glucose tolerance test, and everything was fine. I actually have to repeat it in a few weeks (they checked me early because I am insulin resistant normally).

Actually the test you mention is not used very much in the last decade or so. Instead a diagnosis of gestational diabetes or diabetes is established by 2 or more fasting blood sugar tests. Usually a fasting over about 100 2x about 3-4 weeks apart is sufficient for the diagnosis. A glycosolated Hemiglobin [HGA1C] may also be used to determine a diagnosis of diabetes. This test reflects the relative blood sugar for the previous 90 days. Normal is about 6.5-7, diabetics (not gestational) frequently have 9+.


Best suggestion, ask you ob/gyn or PCP which if any is needed in your case.

good Luck & Lord bless

gk