Question:
I am a insulin dependant diabetic I hope to come off insulin after my lapband

Has any other type2 diabetics had sucess with coming off the medications post surg.    — Beckel (posted on July 22, 2008)


July 22, 2008
Yes, but you will need to see your PCP more. :( I had to see my PCP monthly and he would adjust the insulin as the weight came off. 4 months post op and free of insulin :) :) I have to take the pill form for 3 more months and that gets adjusted as the weight comes off. But he said only 3 more months. :)
   — Karen M.

July 22, 2008
I was a Type II Diabetic on oral insulin, not injectable insulin and came off that and blood pressure meds within 2 weeks of LapBand surgery. Dawn
   — DawnVic

July 22, 2008
I'm still on insulin almost 4 months post op but I went from 200 units in 3 days to 50-75 (medtronic pump). As my weight decreases more the insulin I use will decrease but they say my pancreas is fried and I will always have to rely on some form of insulin:(
   — Danielle T.

July 22, 2008
I had a RNY because after having type two for 25 years, they felt the issues with Diabities would be corrected it I did not process any food through the first third of the Small Intestine, whcih they reconect to the last third, but it carries no food. That is why RNY patients can not handle sugar, fat or carbs well. That part they move to not process food, is what absorbes the Fat, carbs and sugar. I came home from the hospital off pills and Insulin. I could not beleive that it worked that fast but it did. It is easy to eat the wrong thing with Lab Band WLS going forward and that can cause Diabities to show up again. I have a A1C today of 5.5 down from 7.4 before surgery. Talk to your surgeon as to what you expect to accomplish and let him tell you what you can expect. That is why I finally decided on RNY. Best of success to you.
   — William (Bill) wmil

July 22, 2008
I had bypass because they think if you have taken insulin for 10 years it is harder to come off of it on lapband. I have not taken any insulin since i left the hospital 8 months ago.
   — dapoohster38

July 22, 2008
I am a Registered Nurse. I was a Type II Diabetic on Insulin. The Endocrinologist, the Nurse Practitioner, and the surgeon all recommended the Gastric Bypass over the Lapband as it is much more likely to cure the diabetes. I had surgery 5/27, and no more insulin.
   — nancycarle

July 22, 2008
Gastric Bypass surgery is much much more likely to permanently cure Type 2 Diabetes.
   — Gina S.

July 22, 2008
As you heard RNY has better chances...but losing weight and getting to a more normal BMI often means you can control diabetes with diet alone...ie watching your high glycemic foods and sticking with lower sugar...Scientist have found that RNY puts Type II diabetes in remission because of the duodenum being bypassed. This is why it is being called a "cure" or pretty derned close to it for many of us! I was one! Cured! 4 1/2 years now!
   — .Anita R.

July 22, 2008
Depending on your BMI, if elimination of metabolic syndrome - particularly Type II diabetes is your aim, then consider carefully the options of BPD/DS and just the "switch" sometimes referred to as "the intestinal portion of the DS" - which leaves full volume stomach capacity. Both are shown to have better results. There are many papers that have been published over the years supporting this fact. I, too, initially looked into the Lap-Band for surgery - I was very high risk with a BMI of 64 and pretty much just about every co-morbidity known to man. I was advised several times that there *may* be some improvement of my metabolic syndrome, but not to count on it. Once I did more research, I learned about the DS and the superior long-term statistics and knew that it was the surgery that I wanted. That was about 7 1/2 years ago when I was doing that research. I am now 6 years post-DS and happy as a clam. I couldn't be more thrilled with my choice of surgery. I have been free of diabetes since I was four days post-op. I don't miss it at all. Blessings, dina
   — Dina McBride

July 22, 2008
I had lap band 4-16-08 and I came off my insulin (4X times a day) within a week but I went on oral medications and my PCP says as I lose the weight, I will probably come off of it all together. I have been a diabetic for 8 years. My blood pressure medications was cut in half.
   — dyates2948

July 22, 2008
I took metformin (aka glucophage) and byetta. I had gastric bypass and have not been on those at all since surgery and I am doing very well. I am not sure how it works with lapband, I was told that gastric bypass was better for diabetes (and PCOS which I have too)
   — Fluffee

July 23, 2008
Brian- I , too, was an insulin dependent diabetic (type 2) prior to my RNY. I was taking 7 injections per day (200 - 250 units) plus 1000 mg. Metformin twice a day. I came home from the hospital 2 days after surgery on NOTHING and remain on nothing today with perfectly controlled blood sugar levels. Its been 5 months since surgery. Currently, I eat very little carbs and absolutely no sugar. I understand RNY is more effective than lapband if controlling Diabetes is your main goal. Best of luck to you! Lori
   — lmehl

July 23, 2008
I had RNY on March 31, 2008. I was discharged from the hospital the next day off of all diabetic medications (diabeta, Metformin and insulin injection at bedtime). My A1C was 7.9 right before surgery. My sugars have remained low and level ever since. I workout at a fitness center 3 ties a week and try to walk at least 30 minutes a day.
   — ShirleyF

July 24, 2008
Some lapbands have had success in reducing diabetes readings with VEMMA, a powerful liquid vitamin/mineral supplement. Go to TrySomeVemma.com Questions go to [email protected]
   — [Deactivated Member]

July 24, 2008
My Surgeon dr philip schuer past president of the ASBS is part of a study of the diabetes cure rate for gastric bypass. for those type 2 less than 10 years its about 95% plus they are studying for normal weight type2s the instinal bypass part, its cure rate was similiar last I heard. I recommend you at least check into the RNY because of how it helps type2s.
   — bob-haller

July 25, 2008
Brian, I don't even have my surgery date for Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy yet and I have weaned myself off long-acting insulin by applying the diet principles we need to follow after surgery----smaller meals, chewing food more thoroughly, and eating slower. I started mid June reducing units from 150 daily to 20 units on July 13. I've never needed it since! I'm amazed. And I'm not using any more Novolog at meals than I did while I was taking 150 units of Levemir, too. I'm confident now that as the weight comes off, I will become less and less insulin resistant and eventually be completely insulin free. You can do it, too! High fiber and low fat is the ticket to freedom for a diabetic! These are the Pritikin diet principles. Good luck to you, too!
   — AlmaRene




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