Lapband And Diabetes

[lsj 3]

I was wondering if there is anyone out here that had the surgery and actually stopped taking insulin because of great glucose numbers. This was the main reason why I had the surgery. I wanted to loose weight and slow/stop the process of shooting myself with insulin everyday @ 27 years old. Not to mention I want kids one day. Any suggestions? I have not had my first real fill yet and go back on the 10 of this Month for my fill.

[highland 168]

I have cut my insulin dramatically. I believe it has mainly been from my extremely low carb diet. Unfortunately, if I eat carbs, even after a 90 lb weight loss, my blood sugar spikes and I have to up my short term insulin. Now bear in mind I am a very severe diabetic taking upwards of 300 units of insulin per day before the surgery. I now take between 20 and 30 units per day total!!! Yea!!! I do know many posters on here have gone off their meds all together. Not sure how many were on insulin. Good luck to you!!

[twins4me2 15]

I was just banded on April 26th and so far I haven't taken any insulin since the Monday before my surgery. I check my sugar several times a days and so far I haven't needed any medication. Now I am still on the liquid diet of mostly Protein Shakes and broth and Soup. I too am hoping that the lapband along with losing weight will either stop my diabetes or slow it down.

[AnnetteT 77]

I was on 5-7 insulin shots per day in January...i was banded March 1 and i've been off of all diabetes medication since mid March. I did start cutting carbs in mid January so that the liver shrinking diet would not be a big shock when i started it on Feb. 15th. I check my sugar every morning and mid afternoon and it has stayed consistent...110 in the morning and 140-150 in the afternoons...sometimes a little lower. I go for blood work on May 16th, I'm anxious to see how much my levels have dropped. Good luck to you on this journey!

[Tweetybd73 0]

I too have cut my insulin down drastically. I have an insulin pump and now take about 30-35 units total a day, I used to take close to 100. Getting the lap band has done wonders for my sugars. I wish you the very best with your journey!!!

[Joy M. 2]

About 2 months after being banded and 1 fill I had my A1C checked. I went from 6.7 to 6.2

Before sugery I was on 1000 mg of metformin. After surgery I was taking 500 mg of metformin, and after my first fill I was cutting my 500mg pill in 1/2 and now I'm only taking 250mg of metformin. The doctor told me If I loose another 10lbs to stop taking my meds all together.

[debbie221 4]

It depends if you have type1 or type2 diabetes. If you have type2 , it will definitely decrease the amount of insulin you need. If you are type1, unfortunately, you will always be on insulin.

[aromanek 13]

I was on insulin and metformin pre op and now I am lucky enough to be off all my meds. It took about 3 months, but I havent taken a pill or a shot in a very long time.

[m1aman 944]

I believe diet is pretty important on ones need for meds if you are a type 2. Especially going low carb..... Weight loss, not as much.

[lsj 3]

Thanks all. This is very inspiring. I hope to get off my shots too!!! I am a type 2.

[B-52 7,113]

Of course we're talking Type 2,......I was taking 60 units of lantus every evening, plus oral meds before every meal, and my 3's were still out of control.

Within 12 months of my surgery and dropped 80 lbs, I am no longer taking any meds for Diabetes.

Same goes for Cholesterol, Triglycerides,. I still have to take my cardiac meds, probably will for life seeing how I already ad one heart attack, resulting in surgery.

But I am exercising every day, including running, and hope to run my first 5K this summer.....at 60 years old.

[runnyf 8]

Just had my 30 day post op PCP appointment, and went from taking Oral Combo med of Januvia and Metformin 50/1000 twice a day to 50/500 twice a day. PCP had a goal for me to keep by BS below 150 in this intial post op period and I've been successful in doing that. Checking my A1C in 2 months to see how it is doing. Hoping it will be much better than the one pre-op was of 8.8 (ouch). The carbs are key. My LB surgeon wants me to keep carbs at or below 25 per day. I notice when I stray from that too much, I pay the price with my BS result in the AM. The combination of less calories, less carbs, and less weight will make a big difference in your DM management for the better.

[terinrs 1]

I was banded on March 7 and am a type 2 diabetic. Before surgery I was on Metformin and 6-8 insulin shots a day. I was checking my blood sugar every 4 hours and using a sliding scale fast acting insulin and the basal insulin to try to get better control. My surgery was originally scheduled in February but my Hemoglobin A1c was 9.6 and my surgeon wouldn't do it until I got it down. He gave me the go ahead when I got it down to 8.3. Post op I was told to continue the Metformin and check my sugars and just use the sliding scale Insulin until I got back to regular food.My morning blood sugars were in the 60's so I stopped the Metformin. I have not needed any insulin (or Blood Pressure medicine) in almost 2 months. YAY!! Good Luck!

[phatkatblue 45]

Presurg I was on two oral meds with an A1C of 8.8 off all meds out of post op with an A1C of 6.6 a month after:)