Waiting For Lap Band Surgery

[CarrieBrownsville 55]

Hi, I am new to this website, so forgive me if I don't seem to know what I'm doing. I am 63 years old and severely diabetic. I had gotten the diabetes under control with Byetta injections, but now my pancreas is beginning to calcify. My primary doc seems to think weight loss surgey can stop the diabetes, high blood pressure and sleep apnea, and in so doing, it should return the pancreas back to normal. I've been researching weight loss surgery for diabetics and have found a number of physicians believe it should be used as the first line of treatment for obese diabetics, not the last course of action! If I had known I could have gotten the surgery done for stopping diabetes, I would have done it a long time ago. I just hope I'm not too late! I will probably need to lose a minimum of 100 pounds, but have not been told that yet. Next week I will see a heart doc and have an upper GI done. I've already seen a psychiatrist and nutritionist, so the last thing will be my primary care doc for a clearance. The surgeon's office will not present my case to the insurance carrier until everything has been done, so I hope I'm looking at having the surgery some time late September. Is there anyone out there who favors bariatric surgery over lap band? The surgeon said he would recommend lap band if I'm not addicted to sweets. My biggest concern is finding support in Brownsville. Surgery will be over an hour away in McAllen, and I doubt I could go that far for support groups. Does anyone know of any groups in Brownsville? Thanks!

[SusieSunshine 68]

FYI lapband is a type of bariatric surgery. I don't know I heard something about bypass being best for diabetics. Anyone else hear that?

[Jean McMillan 2,973]

Gastric bypass is the #1 choice for resolution of diabetes. Many patients have normal glucose levels within days of gastric bypass. Other types of bariatric surgery, like the band, can also improve diabetes, but that usually is the result of the weight loss, not the surgery itself.

I have no idea if the bypass can reverse or stop the calcification in your pancreas - you need to talk to your doctor about that.

One other thing (for now) to keep in mind is that with the band, weight loss may not start until months after surgery, when you've gotten enough fill in your band to help it do its job of reducing hunger and creating early and prolonged satiety. For that reason, if I were in your position, I would strongly consider a different surgical procedure. I loved my band, and it did wonders for my diabetes in the long run, but the benefit only persisted as long as I made good food choices and exercised.

I can't help you with your support group questions because I'm not even sure where Brownsville and McAllen are. Are they in Texas? There are 2 ways you could research support groups in your area. One is to go to the Texas forum here on LBT and post a question about it there. The other is to call the hospital nearest to you and ask if they have or know of any WLS support groups in your area.

[CarrieBrownsville 55]

Thanks for the replies! I learned a lot. I will consider everything, talk to my surgeon, and try and make the right choices for my lifestyle.

[Jean McMillan 2,973]

Another thing to consider...if driving one hour to McAllen is too far for you to travel for support group meetings (which are usually held once a month), how are you going to manage that for other post-op visits? Aftercare is crucial to success with the band. Most surgeons expect to see the patient every 4-6 weeks. Since the band is filled slowly, you'll need to travel to McAllen at least every 4 weeks (perhaps more often) for fills.

I'd be a happy camper if my surgeon were located only one hour away. It's a 5-6 hour round trip journey for me. If I were still getting band fills, that would be a problem for me in terms of the gas expense, time off work, etc.

[NWgirl 574]

A family friend got gastric two years ago specifically because she had received a diabetes diagnosis and the only medicine that worked for her was more expensive. Along with her other family history issues, she had gastric and has lost a great amount of weight and is doing very well in the health department.

I never considered gastric and did not have diabetes, but it really is supposed to cure a very high percentage of diabetic patients.

Good luck with your decision!

Sent from my iPad using LapBandTalk

[CarrieBrownsville 55]

I have received more information on this website in the last two days than I have in all my weeks of researching the web! Thanks to each of you have has taken the time to respond!