Serenissima

This is a really, really old solution: My mother (1916-2004) used to wear a nylon thing between her thighs, like the crotch-only part of pants, fastened with elastic around waist and each thigh, I think. I have no idea whether these still exist. If so, they would provide protection from chafing and rash while you wait for an appointment with yr doctor. Of course you can also buy underwear that has thigh-length legs, but those legs might ride up. Maybe microfiber workout shorts, bicycle shorts? Keep us posted, please; if you have the problem, there are probably others who have it or will have it and need to hear the solution. Thanks!

Karen, how did your surgery go? Believe me, it was the right thing to do! I am also diabetic, but my diabetes doc reduced my Humalog twice and then took me off it (and Byetta)! Yay--no more stabbing myself in the belly before every meal! I still take one shot of Lantus each night, but instead of 80 units, it's 22. I am amazed and delighted. I hope equal or better success for you!

I was not on a pump, but was injecting Humalog before each meal, with Byetta before breakfast and dinner; I also injected Lantus 24-hour insulin at night and took metformin morning and evening. Within the first three weeks after the banding, the diabetes doc had to reduce my Humalog and Lantus because of low BGs. (I had stopped the metformin because the pills were too big!) Then he reduced both insulins again. Before I reached three months, I called him and said that I could not take the low blood sugar episodes any more. He took me off the Humalog/Byetta entirely, and said to adjust the Lantus however much necessary to keep BG under 126. That is what I am doing now, three months and four days after surgery. I check my BG three or four times a day, and my numbers are great. My Lantus, once at 80 units each night, is now at 22. I feel extraordinarily lucky to have such great results, since I am 67 and have had diabetes since I was 49. I hope this is informative for you!

After reducing my insulin twice in a short time after surgery, my diabetes doc today took me off all before-meals insulin and Byetta. This is about 11 weeks after surgery. I am still taking Lantus, a 24-hour insulin, which he says to adjust as necessary to keep my BG no higher than 125. That's five fewer tummy-stabbings per day! Happy happy joy joy!

Just as these articles say, the lap-band surgery is really working wonders on my diabetes. The surgeon said "no promises," because I am 67 and have had diabetes for almost 18 years. However, I had to reduce the amount of insulin I was taking twice in the first few weeks. Today--two and a half months after surgery--he took me off the before-meals insulin completely, leaving me with just one injection a day of the 24-hour insulin (Lantus). Five fewer stabbings per day! (I was using Byetta as well.) I am so thrilled!

Thanks for the welcome, Sharon! But try not to make comparisons. We are all going to progress at our own speed. If you are losing, it's working. As my friends in various 12-step programs say, "Progress, not perfection." Easy to say, of course. I had one day this week when I gained two tenths of a pound, and I was distraught! But I've learned from 17 years with diabetes that there will be days when you do everything the same as the day before and end up with different blood glucose numbers. I have learned not to make myself nuts wondering why, because I will not get an answer. The body is very complex! Best of luck with your refill!

My surgery was two months ago. I have not needed any adjustments to my band so far. Within the past week, though, I have several times had the sensation that my diaphragm is quivering. It feels quite weird, as if the diaphragm were nervous and shaking! It doesn't hurt, but I'd like to know whether anyone else has felt this and if it is a symptom of a problem. :smile: Thanks for any ideas you may have!

Hi! I am 67 and had my surgery November 9, 2007. I have diabetes, high BP, high cholesterol--the whole metabolic syndrome. I had surgery on one knee, but it didn't go well; carrying all the extra weight has destroyed all the cartilage, so it's bone on bone. I wondered whether I would (or should) be accepted for surgery at my age. But my primary physician, a geriatric specialist, urged me to do it. Now I am so glad! And Medicare plus Medigap insurance covered it all!

How great to have our own place! I had my surgery November 9, 2007, and have been almost giddy with happiness ever since! In the first three weeks, I twice had to reduce the amount of insulin I take (after checking with surgeon and diabetes doc, of course). I've lost 32 pounds in two months, not counting the 3 or 4 I lost taking the magnesium stuff the day before surgery. Not terrifically speedy, but so much better than I have done in a long, long time. Where did everybody get those nifty trackers?