Greetings >>>----------->

[Archer 0]

:huh2:Hello everyone,

I am just starting to look into Lapband surgery as an option for me. I happened to be blessed with heart disease (six bypasses at age 38), sleep apnea, type 2 diabetes. Weighing in at 270, 5’8”. I am currently taking a lot of insulin (160 units of nph and 50 regular each day) that I can not lose weight at all. I have done the diet and exercise bit. Spent a ton of money on a personal trainer and I am/was the most fit 270lb person I knew, but could not drop the weight or keep the diabetes under good control. So my exploration into LapBand surgery has begun. I would like very much to hear from others with my similar conditions who have had the band “installed”. How has it changed your meds, diabetes, apnea and cholesterol etc.

I am searching and reading the site (that could take a year in itself). Any feedback from others would be appreciated.

Thanks

Archer

[sfeiner 2]

Welcome Archer. You've come to the right place. Lots of people here have had simulay experiences. Read as many threads as you can. You'll find them.

[Archer 0]

Thanks Sharon!

I live in Madison Wisconsin and would love to hear from anyone who has had their surgery at UW Hosptial or lives in the Madison area.

Go Badgers!

Archer

[losingjusme 12]

welcome to LBT Archer!

lots of info here...

lap band has changed my life for the better... im so much more active now, so much happier, so much healthier, etc...

best of luck to you.. :angry_smile:

[sfeiner 2]

Hi Archer, I'm thrilled to find someone else from this area. I actually live in Baraboo. I haven't been going to Madison for support group since winter started. I will start going when it warms upand the weather gets nicer. I just went and got a fill Tue and have good restriction now. Maybe TOOO good. I'm really tight. I really like the UW clinic. All the staff are nice and very helpful. My only complaint is that it's hard to get a human voice on the phone sometimes. The hospital staff were very nice too and I was very happy with the care. I knew it would be good because I had back surgery there last May. Feel free to ask any questions. You can pm me if you want.

[kirajh 0]

Hi Archer

I am 58 years old. 5'9" and started my journey at 291 pounds. I had high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, bad knees, high cholesteral, high triglicerides. I take 3bp pills a day. I started out with uncontrolable sugar levels. I took 88 units of Landis, sliding scale of regular insulin at meals, 2 metformin and 1 advandia per day. That was back in july when I was banded. I have lost 75 pounds...........38 units of Landis and 2 metformin per day. My c-pap number is 18....but I need to get that checked. I think it is too high now. My cholesteral and triglicerides are now in the normal zone. Hope this makes sense to you and helps you.

[Archer 0]

Thanks for the feedback. Every bit of information helps!

[bigunc 0]

Archer my blood glucose levels were always high (200 -220) when I woke up in the morning (3:30 am). I had to take 100 units of Lantus at night, a shot of Byetta before Breakfast and dinner, 45 mg of Actos once a day and 2-5/500 Glyb/Metformin twice a day. I lost a total of 42 lbs and was able to lower my Lantus nightly to 30 units. I no longer take any more Byetta. This was all done during my 3 month diet before surgery. When I do Blood work next week I hope she will cut back on some of the oral diabetic meds as well.

My Cardiologist has cut two of my BP meds (Cardizem & Metoporol) in half. I have lost 18 more since my 2/25 surgery. My highest weight was 435 ( 7/2007 ) and I am now at 375.

I am on a total of 15 meds so I still have a ways to go, but its a start.

I also had Afibb and a heart flutter that was corrected with an Ablation once I lost approx 40 lbs. My next check up I will probably have my Amiodarone cut in half.

[dshyre 0]

I am glad to hear about people cutting back on insulin and oral medicatiopn. I will be banded on 4/7 and can't wait to be able to cut back on the amount of insulin and blood pressure medication. This is so encouraging. I am getting really excited.