Beginner explorer . . .

[kdramirez 0]

Just like the others posting here, I would like to know some more details on the LapBand, especially the "down" sides. I have been a Type I Diabetic for over 44 years now. My weight has just stopped coming off, no matter what I do. I exercise several times a week and try and watch what I eat . . . most times. But it just stays stuck! I've been on an insulin pump for about 8 years now, and earlier last year, tried a continuous glucose sensor. I test my blood sugars 6-8 times a day.

I'm starting to hear . . .and "feel" . . . more stories about heart disease, strokes, etc. for diabetics. For the first time in my life, I have had to start on Cholestral medication ~ even with my inordinately extreme amount of "good guy" HDLs.

I need some help in losing weight and have just found out about Lap Bands . . .but still concerned how they work with Diabetes ~ especially low blood sugars if you are not eating as much. And after awhile, do they stop working?

Thanks for any help you can supply me.

[cwm812 11]

I'm not a diabetic but my son has had Type 1 for 10 years and wears an insulin pump, so I know about your issues. There will be times with the band that you can't eat much. I'm not sure what you do for lows, but if your band is tight you won't be able to gulp orange juice or coke. That being said, you should have no problem chewing glucose tabs, Since they dissolve so easily, they aren't going to get stuck anywhere. Also, gels and cake icing should work well.

I know that the pump instructors always tell you to bolus before you eat, but with the band, sometimes you think you are going to eat more than you do, or suddenly you know you can't take one more bite. I think this could be easily handled by bolusing after you eat. Yeah, it's not recommended, but you'll be eating so much less that you aren't going to have the huge spikes in your blood sugar.

I don't know any type 1 bandsters, but I'll bet they are out there. My guess is that you would do great with a band. People with Type 1 have so many rules they need to follow. If you can handle pumping, you'll be able to manage the band.

Cindy

[CASSIEME1 1]

I have type2 diabetes, medication and diet control.i dont take my meds if my bs are < 90. Which usually be about 4 -5 days a week.i agree with the other lady.pace yourself dose according too your gs.according to literature the banders have a high percentage of coming off insulin.check into the lap band and bypasss

[kdramirez 0]

Thank you much for your help and information. I "usually" don't bolus until after I eat anyway, cuz I never know what or how much I plan on eating anyway. Sometimes something is sooo good, I eat more. Other times, I get started, and just can't go as far as my stomach and mind really thought they wanted to go!

How does the band affect appetite? I seem to be a pack man lately, eating/grazing all through the day. Do you just feel sick to your stomach if you over eat? Do you get nausiated? What does it feel like?

Kathy

[cwm812 11]

I still get hungry, but not as quickly as my pre-LAP-BAND®® days. I also need alot less to fill me up when I am hungry. I have learned that if I wait until I am starving, I tend to eat too quickly and get stuck. So I often will eat a little something (a spoonful of ricotta, 1/4 cup of dry cereal), just to take the edge off. This tiny snack will often hold me over for an hour or two. When I overeat, I just feel too full. Kind of like Thanksgiving and one too many Desserts. I don't feel nauseous and I have never thrown up from overeating. If I don't eat properly (slowly and chewing thoroughly), I will get stuck. This is incredibly unpleasant. You just feel like something is wedged in your stomach and it must come out. I will try to get that to come up and usually it works quickly and relieves the problem. It's not like throwing up. We call it PBing , (productive burp), because you just end up with a small amount of food and it isn't partially digested or anything. It's still gross and I like to avoid it as much as possible, but I've learned that if I don't get the problem out of there quickly, I may be in pain for 2 or more hours. That is the downside of this whole thing.

Cindy

[kdramirez 0]

Thank you much . . again. This is really helpful in seeing both sides. As I originally posted ~ I would like to lose 40-50 lbs. I'm not "obese" . . .I can still find clothes, etc. but I know I am not doing my diabetes any good. And after having it for so many years with fairly good luck, I know the shoe is bound to drop as I progress into later life. My problem is I LOVE food and LOVE to cook. I usually don't eat a LOT . . . just probably not the right things, like butter, oil, sugar, etc. Most times, after I've made something, just tasting is enough. Other times, my "mind" gets hungrier than my stomach. These are all good things for me to talk to my doctor about.