Has anyone experienced gettng off an insulin pump with Lap Band?

nanajo · January 31, 2008

I have an insulin pump, which has given me excellent control, but I take a hefty dose of insulin. I heard tonight that my endo will have to help with the pump and I will have top work very closely with her, which makes sense. I am just wondering how that is from anyone who has done it.

Serenissima · February 14, 2008

I was not on a pump, but was injecting Humalog before each meal, with Byetta before Breakfast and dinner; I also injected Lantus 24-hour insulin at night and took metformin morning and evening. Within the first three weeks after the banding, the diabetes doc had to reduce my Humalog and Lantus because of low BGs. (I had stopped the metformin because the pills were too big!) Then he reduced both insulins again. Before I reached three months, I called him and said that I could not take the low blood sugar episodes any more. He took me off the Humalog/Byetta entirely, and said to adjust the Lantus however much necessary to keep BG under 126. That is what I am doing now, three months and four days after surgery. I check my BG three or four times a day, and my numbers are great. My Lantus, once at 80 units each night, is now at 22. I feel extraordinarily lucky to have such great results, since I am 67 and have had diabetes since I was 49. I hope this is informative for you!

nanajo · February 14, 2008

Wow, Serenissima, you have come a long way. Congratulations!! I have loved the pump, because my A1C is 5.5. But my insilin resistance is so high, that I have a 24 hour basal rate of 3.5 units per hour ( 24 hrs a day), plus 15-25 units when I eat. The problem with using that much insulin is that it encourages your body to store fat right around the middle. Thanks for the encouragement. I have my first visit with the surgeon on March 4. Tricare has already approved the Lap Band, so I am on my way. Scary but very exciting as well. I am 61, so I appreciate a comment from someone my age. Mary Jo