I'm Somewhat Disappointed...

Here on the diabetes forum, there are not too many people who post on a regular basis. I know there are others out there who are diabetic who are considering or who have had the surgery, but no one is posting.  We should be helping each other, 'cause we have our own separate restrictions that may be even tougher than those who don't have diabetes.   Once my surgery is completed on Monday morning & once I recoup, if successful, I plan to be an excellent contact person for whom to send others who are diabetic, esp. those who are on insulin.  Although I have met lots of new friends here, I feel that I am alone since I am the only one I know with Type I diabetes, on an insulin pump, who has decided to take this journey.  I hope no one else has to do it alone.  I'll be here for them! Thanks for listening!

Hi Sharon,

Pre-op, I checked in here all the time, but only now and then since, as it just doesn't get much traffic. There is another type 1 who was in your situation (J2 O.) on the VSG board. She has gone off her insulin pump and is doing very well. You might want to check out her posts, since she is very knowledgeable and is doing very well.

Good luck!

Dear Ros-Mari, The person you're talking about, from your description, does not have Type I diabetes.  The reason I know is that although she might have been insulin dependent, you're saying that she is no longer on an insulin pump.  Although control of Type I diabetes can be greatly imporoved after weight loss surgery, we will always be insulin dependent.  That means that even though I had my lapband surgery on Monday, I still require insulin to keep my body functioning.  My dosage has greatly decreased already, now that I've lost 25 lbs.  (I lost most of it pre-surgery).  The biggest difference is that my pancreas, the organ responsible for producing insulin is completely dead.  I have been tested through Univ. of MD Medical Ctr. in Baltimore, MD & tests have shown that my pancreas is at 0% functioning.  I went through the surgery anyway, 'cause, besides diabetes, I also have several co-morbidity issues, incl. heart disease.   I just wanted to be healthier & I have no regrets about my decision.   Thanks for your response & good luck to you!

Hi Sharon,

She is type 1, and still insulin dependent, it is just that she is doing injections now, instead of the pump - so check out her posts, if you want. (Far from all type 1's are on a pump, as you know.)

 Hi Sharon ..My lapband is scheduled for 5-27 I am a type II insulin dependent diabetic and really want and need the help I was told my weight loss would probably be slower because I am a diabetic I hope not but I would love to hear from others and how they are doing and how to handle the insulin Thanks and Ill try to post often

Hi! I'm working right now on getting my insulin dose decreased.  It's incredible how this weightloss decreases the insulin sensitivity!  With your type of diabetes, yours might disappear.  Mine won't, but I am already getting better control of my blood sugars with less insulin and it's only been a little over a week since my lapband surgery.  Don't worry about how long it takes for you to lose weight!  Just stay as focused as possible on following the guidelines set out by your surgical team & by your nutritionist.  Keep your food journals & your blood sugar records, even though they're pains to do.  They were incredibly helpful to me!  My lapband surgery was done on 04/07/2008 & I've lost already 11 lbs since the surgery.  People differ, so don't despair if yours is slower!  I am using an insulin pump, so the way my insulin dose is being changed would be different from how yours is handled if you are taking injections.  Your endocrinologist will be able to help you.  Good luck with everything!

thanks for the quick reply I will look forward to this forum and check it daily any help is appreciated  I have failed at every weight loss I tried in the past 10 years I know that this is the right thing to do

HI, OMGsh.  I finally found another Type 1 diabetic on an insulin pump having or have had lap band surgery.  Granted I didn't know about this site until recently, it just occurred to me a few minutes ago to check to see who else is in a similar situation as I am. Honestly, I don't think I will ever not use a pump. I love only having to do the "shot" thing once every three days instead of 3-6 times a day. I had my surgery on 4/25/08.  I'm working closely with my Endo to monitor glucose and BG so that we can adjust my correction and carb boluses.  I'm already on a fairly low insulin dose, and I know I can never give up insulin, but what sort of adjustments have others experienced?  Woot for Type 1 Diabetics. 

Dear Deb,

I'm at work right now or else I would be jumping up & down that I found another insulin pumper!!  I had my lapband on 04/07/2008 & was back to work on 04/16/2008!!  My blood sugars are kinda wacky right now, but I knew this would happen with all of these diet changes.  I'm still mostly on full liquids, but the surgeon told me I could now have pureed veggies/soup.  Yeah!!!  Let me know how you're doing.  Had you also had the lapband surgery yet?

Yes I had lap band on 4/25.  I'm still strictly on liquid, but that includes cream of (fill inthe blank) soup.  Which I cut with broth since it's disgusting by itself. I put 1.5 times the amount of extra liquid to the condensed soup then I use the stick blender to blend it even more. My sugars are running ok.  Just a weird think happend yesterday when it tested at 52.  I took 2 glucose tabs which shot it up to almost 150 in less than 10 minutes.  Was odd, but hey what isn't these days.  I opted to grind my grlucose up in my pill grinder.  Maybe the extra fine powder was absorbed even quicker.    I'm jus****ching closely for the next few days.  Testing a lot and trying to eat (drink) enough liquids.  That's pretty much where I'm at currently. I'm so happy to have a new insulin pumping friend.  And a lap bander too!!