After I had the surgery, my endocrinologist told me that I was now the equivalent of a Type 1 diabetic. Why? My pancreas, what little there was of it, did not function enough. Therefore, I went back to my online reading to learn the differences between Type 2 and Type 1 diabetes. As before, I plead ignorance to understanding the distinctions between these medical ailments.
As per the American Diabetes Association (ADA):
Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. Diabetes is a problem with your body that causes blood glucose (sugar) levels to rise higher than normal. This is also called hyperglycemia. If you have Type 2 diabetes, your body does not use insulin properly. This is called insulin resistance. At first, your pancreas makes extra insulin to make up for it. But, over time it isn't able to keep up and can't make enough insulin to keep your blood glucose at normal levels.
Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in children and young adults, and was previously known as juvenile diabetes. Only 5% of people with diabetes have this form of the disease. In Type 1 diabetes, the body does not produce insulin. The body breaks down the sugars and starches you eat into a simple sugar called glucose, which it uses for energy. Insulin is a hormone that the body needs to get glucose from the bloodstream into the cells of the body. With the help of insulin therapy and other treatments, even young children can learn to manage the ailment and live long, healthy lives.
By multiple daily injections with insulin pens or syringes or a pump, it will be up to you to monitor blood glucose levels and properly administer your insulin. You will need to work closely with your healthcare team to determine which insulin or insulins are best for you and your body. 5