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Type 2 Diabetes

Why does this matter?

If your blood sugar levels are not well controlled before surgery, this can increase the risk of infections, slow down healing, and make recovery harder. Good diabetes management helps keep you safe and improves your recovery after surgery.

You need to keep an eye on your health and have regular check-ups if you have type 2 diabetes because if it is not well managed it can lead to:

  • Heart disease and stroke
  • Nerve damage (loss of feeling and pain)
  • Foot problems like sores and infections
  • Vision loss and blindness
  • Kidney problems
  • Miscarriage and stillbirth

Controlling your blood sugar and having regular diabetes reviews is the best way to lower your risk of complications.

When you have your diabetic review, you’ll have an HbA1c blood test, which shows your average blood sugar over the past 3 months. If your HbA1c is too high, your surgery may be delayed.

Now – not just before surgery - is the best time to start following the advice you’ve been given to improve your blood sugar and overall health. It can make a big difference.

What you need to do:

  • Eat a healthy balanced diet and keep active; to improve your blood sugar, control weight and generally feel better.
  • Take your diabetes medicines or insulin as prescribed.
  • Attend your routine reviews with your practice pharmacist, practice nurse, GP or diabetes team and follow the advice given during these reviews.
  • Attend any tests or appointments as recommended by your hospital team.
  • Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice changes in your blood sugar or feel unwell.

Go here to the NHS Wales 111 website to find out more about type 2 diabetes.

Rydym yn croesawu gohebiaeth a galwadau ffôn yn y Gymraeg neu'r Saesneg. Atebir gohebiaeth Gymraeg yn y Gymraeg, ac ni fydd hyn yn arwain at oedi. Mae’r dudalen hon ar gael yn Gymraeg drwy bwyso’r botwm ar y dde ar frig y dudalen.

We welcome correspondence and telephone calls in Welsh or English. Welsh language correspondence will be replied to in Welsh, and this will not lead to a delay. This page is available in Welsh by clicking ‘Cymraeg’ at the top right of this page.