How many of you felt you might fail at first?

[gkeyt 0]

SueSue,

First off, you aren't a failure. You've lost half your desired weight in a pretty short amount of time, despite being on insulin and having fluctuating glucose levels. As others have said, getting your glucose under control is your first priority.

Does your doctor that manages your diabetes have a diabetes educator that you can work with? A lot of docs have or can refer you to a nurse or other professional who does diabetes education as their job. Diabetes is complex and can be very hard to understand and get control of, as you know. It sounds like you could benefit from a lot more education.

You are almost to a BMI under 30 as it is, which will make you no longer "obese" by BMI standards. It may be harder for you as you get closer to goal, but it will be much harder if you don't have control of your fluctuating blood sugars.

As far as feeling like we might fail...I think everyone who has bariatric surgery is afraid that it won't work. After all, if anything else had worked before, we wouldn't be having surgery. There's no use in getting down about how hard it is to lose weight. We just have to take our challenges and learn from them, and do the best we can. One thing that will probably help you is if you look at your successes and give yourself credit for them. That can help you stay motivated to continue working at it.

Good luck.

[coltonwade 27]

Sue Sue, Also please do not feel like this is your fault either. if anything you may want to consider a new doc. I think your doctor has done a real injustice to you if he truely did not give you the proper diabetes education you needed to manage your health.

If you feel you can not get that education then you need to find another doc.

HTH

Mindy

[coltonwade 27]

re: "I have never been taught how to use insulin."

my GOD!!! That is unheard of!!!

I would write more but currently we are snowed in 8 inches, the power is out and we are on small generator....can't be too long now....

will return to on line asap....up to the power co....

Not to mention Dangerous and irresponsible I would think on the docs part to let a patient go and not teach them how to use their insulin ? How your power comes back on soon Jack . Be careful in the snow

Mindy

[SueSue 0]

When I was put on insulin the nurse showed me how to use the pen. This was a different doctor than I have now. The doctor started me on 5 units and told me to increase the amount if it did not bring down the numbers. It took awhile of slowly increasing the amount of insulin for the doctor to discover I was insulin resistent. After they discovered that it was like they did not know what to do with me. I can take much more than the average person and it will not lower my glucose levels. My mother is a diabetic and has taught me what I know but she is not insulin resistent so she is puzzled over the amount I have to take. I have studied and learned a lot about diabetes and do try to manage it, but I think this is where the problem is. Diabetes is a very complicated desease and is not the same for everyone. The last few years I have had such enormous cravings. I feel like a drug addict when they hit. I am glad I have lost actually 26 lbs. if you count the 5 I gained back but 26 is not a lot for 16 weeks considering I lost 18 the first two weeks. I think what is the most frustrating for me is that I still want to eat and I still have strong cravings and I do not know how to get away from them. When I do not have them I manage faily well. I wonder if it is my blood sugar going up and down that causes the cravings and if it is how in the world do I control it? I have found doctors do very little to help. They dispense the medicine and draw the blood and if your numbers are too high they do not know what to do. I know there is no one in the world that understands and has answers like another diabetic. We live the desease. I guess that is why I came here and posted the above message. You guys know more about eating habits than any doctor unless he/she has been through it themselves. Thanks for all your responses. Please understand I do not plan on giving up. This is my way of trying to find help. How do you all stay away from food? How do you fight the urge to snack?

[SueSue 0]

I envy your snow. I lived in Michigan growing up and loved the snow. I am in the south now and we get very little. I really miss it. Of course I do not want the electricity to go off but there is nothing prettier than a snow coming down.

[SueSue 0]

Coltonwood, I have been on insulin for two years. As I stated before I am very insulin resistent. I don't think doctors knew much about insulin resistent patients and they do not seem to know what to do with me. I was taught how to use the pen. I was also told to start with 5 units and then they left it up to me to judge after that. When I went to the lapband doctor he mentioned a sliding scale and I thought what is that? I came home and looked it up on the Internet. As I said before my biggest problem is controlling the ups and downs and fighting the strong urges for carbs. I woke up the other night with very low sugar. I can tell when I try to stand. My legs are very weak. I had cheese and crackers so I started eating them. I had to lay down to get them down. I was so weak and a little scared. I felt awful. I have had this happen before and the last two times I have had difficulty getting to the kitchen for the food. I went and bought the glucose tablets but they were in my purse so now I will keep them by my bed. When I have a low like that I want to eat and eat. It is hard to stop.

I feel a little foolish for coming to all of you. As I said before I have learned a lot about diabetes but my biggest problem is how to not eat the wrong things. I thought the band would control my portions therefore helping the glucose levels. I promise I am not an idiot although I amy sound like one at times :wink2: I know how serious this desease is and yet I eat the wrong things at times. I feel like an alcoholic with food. I think it bigger than just self control.

[sfeiner 2]

SueSue, flour, sugar, white rice and potatoes are your poison. Don't eat anything that contains any of them. They all contribuite to your cravings. Hang in there.

[favorite 3]

sue sue,

i took insulin for my diabetes and know what you are going through. the fact that you lost any weight while on insulin is amazing to me. i gained constantly. your journey is just going to be different, but if you stick to it you will succeed. definately do eat the Protein first then vegetable and something low carb. for my carb i usually have a toasted whole wheat pita bread. toasting it makes it taste better and takes longer to eat. and try to eat as s l o w as you can.

[coltonwade 27]

Sue Sue, I probably wont be much help with the diabetes since i am not diabetic , however I do have PCOS which makes me produce more insulin and makes my weight loss very difficult . Which is why i ended up with the band.

You are not an idiot. It seems to me you have not been hooked up with a doc that has taken the time to educate you . They are out there. Others who are diabetic will help you on that end. I too need to stay away from Carbs since its not good for my PCOS , it makes the cravings worse.

I discovered during my pre op diet ( Low carb high Protein ) that i felt SO much better not eating them . So If you can learn to stay away from the things you are not suppose to eat it will help elimiate your cravings.

have you tried a diabetic cook book possibly ?

Try going to a book store and go through them and pick out a few that has the kind of food in it YOU WILL eat .

Good luck hang in there.

Mindy

[SueSue 0]

Thanks everyone. Today is a new day and once again I will try to do well today. I want to quit craving food. I am going to make a tuna wrap on low carb bread for lunch. All your responses helped. Thank you for taking the time to respond.

[shortgal 5]

Have you seen an endrocrinologist? If your primary care Dr is unable to help you get good blood sugar control, then He/she should refer you to a specialist to help you figure out the insulin levels that will work best for you.

Now that your banded and your diet is different, your insulin intake might need frequent adjustment as well. I would think a diabetes specialist could help. Maybe you should ask your pirmary care Dr.

If you want to eat bread, you're on the right track as low carb is better of course and low carb whole wheat would be even better.

Glad you're feeling in better control today.

[renewedhope 4]

I have insulin resistance, but I am not diabetic. Eating the right food is a decision made in your mind and is not based on a disease process. I think that is something we all struggle with. You just have to make up your mind. I know that is easier said than done, but so much of the battle with obesity is in the mind, no other body system. I also have PCOS so I know that these comorbidities play a part, but it is still a mind game. Once you make up your mind, then you will make better food choices. Having good restriction helped me more than anything in making up my mind to eat the right foods. Sounds like another fill might work wonders. Instead of focusing on what is not going well, focus on what you CAN do, what you CAN control. Make good choices one meal at a time. It also helps me to remove as much high carb stuff from the house as I can, so that I am not tempted.

Do not give up. You CAN do this. Just start with one good choice (which you did this morning) and add to that. Congrats on your weight loss so far.

[coltonwade 27]

I have insulin resistance, but I am not diabetic. Eating the right food is a decision made in your mind and is not based on a disease process. I think that is something we all struggle with. You just have to make up your mind. I know that is easier said than done, but so much of the battle with obesity is in the mind, no other body system. I also have PCOS so I know that these comorbidities play a part, but it is still a mind game. Once you make up your mind, then you will make better food choices. Having good restriction helped me more than anything in making up my mind to eat the right foods. Sounds like another fill might work wonders. Instead of focusing on what is not going well, focus on what you CAN do, what you CAN control. Make good choices one meal at a time. It also helps me to remove as much high carb stuff from the house as I can, so that I am not tempted.

Do not give up. You CAN do this. Just start with one good choice (which you did this morning) and add to that. Congrats on your weight loss so far.

Making my house "fool or Goof proof' is VERY Important. your house has to be "Safe" . NOTHING in my house is bad that i cant eat.

When i get things such as Snacks or sugar free Cookies as soon as i get them home from the grocery store i take them out and divide them into portions in snack zip lock bags. for a few reasons. #1 so my kids know they can have ONE Bag not the WHOLE THING , ( they are not over weight but they are boys and EAT AND EAT LOL ) and for myself to know one bag is one serving . Its easier to NOT over eat that way .

I have not bought junk in nearly 8 months. Sodas are not allowed in my house. Those were replaced by an ozarka Water dispenser LOL

HTH

Mindy

[renewedhope 4]

We don't allow sodas either. Usually once a week my husband will take the kids to Sonic for a burger and fries. They eat it there so not to tempt me. It is also helpful to keep easy things that you CAN eat as well. This way when you need to snack it is there. One of my favorites are sugar free popsicles.