Diabetes & the Band

[Pinkjazzycat 0]

Am thinking seriously of the lap band. Just begining my research and love this board. You all are so inpiring to me.

I don't have so very much left to loose, I think I may just qualify. I became diabetic 6 years ago, and have lost around 80 lbs, slowly. Also, just finished a traumatic battle with uterine cancer during which I lost even more weight, bringing me down to around 215. My prognosis is excellent and I am looking forward to a healthy future. The thing is I am so sick of being hungry every single moment and having to fight the diabetes with every thing I put in my mouth.

My main point is, has any lap banders out there have anything to say about how the surgery affected your diabetes, has it improved at all? Does the lap band really quell the hunger? These are my main questions. Thank you!

[ElfiePoo 109]

The thing is I am so sick of being hungry every single moment and having to fight the diabetes with every thing I put in my mouth.

My main point is, has any lap banders out there have anything to say about how the surgery affected your diabetes, has it improved at all? Does the lap band really quell the hunger? These are my main questions. Thank you!

I'm a diabetic also. The band did nothing for my hunger and I 'worked' at finding that sweet spot. I discovered, a bit by accident, that when I dropped my carbs down to below 30 and eliminated all wheats, glutens, grains and starches and stuck only to Protein and low carb vegies, within a week all my cravings and hunger went away.

My doc and I had a long conversation about this today (in my preop for getting the band out next week) and she said that would make sense. When we're insulin resistant, every time we eat carbs (especially the ones that have an intense and immediate reaction on our pancreas such as grains and starches), our pancreas floods our system with even more insulin which will cause a physical craving (hunger) for carbs. When we stop that production or minimize it, our body starts utilizing the insulin that is already being produced by our pancreas.

My .02...one diabetic to another. I'd try the above approach before resorting to the band (or while you're going through the process of getting approved for the band). You may find you don't need it. If you'd like more details, just PM me and I'd be happy to help.

.

[Pinkjazzycat 0]

I'm a diabetic also. The band did nothing for my hunger and I 'worked' at finding that sweet spot. I discovered, a bit by accident, that when I dropped my carbs down to below 30 and eliminated all wheats, glutens, grains and starches and stuck only to Protein and low carb vegies, within a week all my cravings and hunger went away.

My doc and I had a long conversation about this today (in my preop for getting the band out next week) and she said that would make sense. When we're insulin resistant, every time we eat carbs (especially the ones that have an intense and immediate reaction on our pancreas such as grains and starches), our pancreas floods our system with even more insulin which will cause a physical craving (hunger) for carbs. When we stop that production or minimize it, our body starts utilizing the insulin that is already being produced by our pancreas.

My .02...one diabetic to another. I'd try the above approach before resorting to the band (or while you're going through the process of getting approved for the band). You may find you don't need it. If you'd like more details, just PM me and I'd be happy to help.

.

[Pinkjazzycat 0]

thank you for reponding to my post. this is my second attempt to repond, but all i did was somehow re-post my initial letter. cpmputers and i don't mesh.

anyway.

after i was diagnosed w/diabetes, i managed to get off the meds within a year. eating right, excersizing and loosing weight. very proud of myself. i stayed off the meds for 6 years, until diagnosed w/cancer. during the entire time since the diabetes diagnosis i was seriously hungry. constantly. during chemo treatment, my sugars shot skyhigh, and i was put back on meds. now that things have calmed down, i am working on the diabetes again, but the usual things i was doing are either not working anymore or simply my sugar is being stubborn. i suspect the later, as i am eating under 15 carbs a day. eventually, the sugar will come down....e...v...e...n...t...u...a...l...l...y. arghh.

can you say annoying?

at the least, i am keeping off the weight i lost during cancer treatment. yay.

so anyway, at 215ish, i am considering the band. . at this point i am so sick of protien. i would be very happy if i could just have protien shakes, and never eat another chicken breast. the joy of having one protien shake, or a nice salad, and be filled and satisfied for even an hour would truly be a dream come true.

and i'm just wondering, can it happen? some on this board say yes they do feel satisfied. so the band is appealing to me.

wishing you peace and success on your journey!

[roseyposey 0]

Am thinking seriously of the lap band. Just begining my research and love this board. You all are so inpiring to me.

I don't have so very much left to loose, I think I may just qualify. I became diabetic 6 years ago, and have lost around 80 lbs, slowly. Also, just finished a traumatic battle with uterine cancer during which I lost even more weight, bringing me down to around 215. My prognosis is excellent and I am looking forward to a healthy future. The thing is I am so sick of being hungry every single moment and having to fight the diabetes with every thing I put in my mouth.

My main point is, has any lap banders out there have anything to say about how the surgery affected your diabetes, has it improved at all? Does the lap band really quell the hunger? These are my main questions. Thank you!

HI there! First of all, I am sorry to hear of your illness. I truly hope you feel better. You sure lost alot of wt. already. I was banded 1/17/11. I was diabetic as well and took oral meds for it. The surgeon took me off the med for it immediately following the lapband surgery. I was surprised. I do get hungry alot but the only difference is - now I only need very little amount of food to satisfy my hunger. And I am eating healthy foods now. Not junk anymore. Very little snacking now also. You pretty much learn a new way of eating all together. Some days are harder than others. The wt. loss is slow after the surgery. Usually 2 lbs. per wk if lucky. But you do lose alot during the pre op surgery liquid diet and then post op liquid diet. I lost 20 lbs. during that period. Total wt. loss so far is 40 lbs. Starting from time of lapband seminar to now. My goal is to lose 100 lbs. If I can do that, I will be happy. You have to be determined for sure. And have alot of will power. I am sure you have both. You have been through so much already it seems. I think you will do well with this if it is what you truly want. But remember - it is forever life changing. Good luck to you and keep us posted. Take care.

[AquarianCrab 8]

Another diabetic here. My band doesn't allow me to eat much - and I haven't had a fill yet. I guess I'm one of the lucky ones. I'm seriously never hungry. In fact, I often have to make myself eat. That said, I was also taken off my meds on surgery day, and was told that when I do eat a carb, to be mindful of the glycemic index. I was told no white carbs - ever. Brown rice, dark orange yams, stone ground whole wheat tortilla shells. If you read Sugarbusters, you'll get the idea. I did very well on that program, and lowered my sugar significantly, but couldn't keep it up because I was eating too much. The band has gotten my portions under control, but it's up to me to choose the right types of carbs.

[OnMyWay2Thin 45]

Hi! I was a type 2 Diabetic until my surgery. I have lost 70 pounds and have no signs of diabetes anymore. My cholesterol has also gone back to normal. I was on a considerable amount of medication for my diabetes. Another problem I had was sleep apnea and had to use the machine. That is also gone. As far as I'm concerned, it's the best thing I ever did!

You have gone through quite the journey already. I hope you continue to grow strong and healthy. Congratulations on losing so much weight so far, you are quite the inspiration!! Great job!