Recent Posts
I have the Medtronic Revel pump it's relatively new and it has tubing and such but I have minimal issues with it. I'm sure I use less than I used to but I would like to use even less if I could so I will probably get back to basics like you suggested and see if that helps me lower my insulin use. I would only suggest the OmniPod system if you are very active and are worried about losing and or damaging the pump itself because with the Omnipod it is not renewable like you can't just put insulin in it and go back to work you have to change out the entire pod (at least that's what I've read anyway) so I always tell people to get one of the actual pumps that you have reservoirs for and can change the insulin and tubing and stuff if it gets clogged or anything. But if you and your doctor feel the Omnipod is right for you then by all means don't just take my advice!
That's been one of my concerns about the pump. I use multiple daily injections now, and I find that it keeps me very structured around 3 meals a day, no snacks unless hypoglycemic, and counting carbs. I don't want flexibility around some of this - I find the structure is very helpful to me. However, my control is less than ideal and I know that has to be addressed.
I was told that pumpers generally use less insulin per day than if you are doing multiple daily injections. I don't know how long you have been on the pump, so I don't know if this is true for you. But it's something that I will be watching quite carefully.
May I ask what brand of pump you use? What do you think of it? I am leaning heavily toward the Omnipod as I really don't want the external tubing.
The other thing I might suggest to you is something I see others discuss a lot, and that is get back to basics. Track your food and protein intake for a while. Count your carbs. Do something that takes you back to the early days after surgery, so that you get a sense of where you can improve. I like My Fitness Pal as an app on my iPhone - that helps me sometimes when I get a little off track.
Hi thanks for responding! I probably use about 50 units a day of the basal rate and another 20 or 30 units of bolus. I love the pump but I'm just worried that it's causing me to retain weight and not get it off. I'll check out the website definitely! And I try to exercise when the weather is nice but here in the south we are having our nasty winter weather (it's been raining for like 2 weeks almost and been cloudy a lot) so whenever I get the chance I go walking.
The insulin pump does make it easier to keep your blood sugars more stable but I think I use more insulin sometimes on the pump than when I was just doing injections so I don't know. I may eventually get off the pump for a while and just see if there's a difference in my weight.
Hi Lance:
I'm also type 1, 15 months out from RNY and getting ready to transition onto a pump. I've been diabetic for 26 years.
I'm still losing a little, but have the exact concerns you described about possible weight gain from insulin use. I gained about 100 pounds after I went onto insulin 25 years ago, so I have always been worried about regain.
I've tried to stay fairly low carb since the surgery, as that also keeps my insulin needs down. Don't know if you count carbs, but perhaps doing that will help both your weight and your insulin needs.
Have you talked with a RD or diabetic educator about your current regime? Maybe it's time to re-evaluate? I have a terrific diabetic educator who does consultations via Skype and phone - Gary at Integrated Diabetes - http://www.integrateddiabetes.com/index.shtml. I've been working with them recently and it's been very helpful. I thought I knew everything about managing my diabetes, but I've gotten some very interesting tips and techniques. Even their website has some good info.
How much insulin do you use daily? Do you exercise? I find that so tricky on insulin and am hoping the pump makes that easier.
Hi all, I am a type 1 diabetic (for 13 years this year) with an insulin pump and I'm 5 years out of RNY surgery and I've put on some weight (not a ton but you know) and I was wondering if any other diabetics out there have had any issues with keeping weight off some years after having weight loss surgery and if so what did you do to lose it again?
I'm also wondering if the amount of insulin I'm having to take could be the culprit behind my weight gain....
Thanks a lot!
Lance
Debbie:
Thanks for posting. I don't know that med, so I looked it up. It looks fairly new. Are you having issues with it?
Glumetza is for diabetes. Was just wondering if anyone is taking this and if you have had any problems? Thanks - debbie
I am so sorry to hear you are struggling. It really sounds like you need to see an endocronologist who is familiar with RNY. I would not depend on the diet they have given you. I had to go even further. I found the acarbose to help some, but found that I was still crashing so this year for lent I gave up bread and white potatoes. This has made an incredible difference. I never thought I could do it, but here I am... I have not had any sense. I have some exceptions for the bread - I can still have very thin crust pizza and burrito shells. I still have crashes, but I know the signs and act accordingly. The surgery was definitely a life change and I WOULD do it again.
I had been told about removing half of the pancreas, but the endocronologist explained why that would be beneficial. I have not yet had to have it done. I am trying my best to make note of which foods cause the worst reactions and steer clear.
Please keep me posted on your progress and what steps you decide to take. I wish you the best and hope it gets better for you real soon.
I am reading this, even though an older posts, crying to hear people dealing with the same. I am over two years post RNY and at exactly one year after the surgery, my life became hell. I had a lot of earlier problems (2 closed stomas), ulcers, anemia requiring infusion and iron infusion. Then I really became sick. This has destroyed my life and functioning. I never feel well; exhausted, dizzy, tired. I can't eat anything without the "crash" and have been good with the diet given to me. I snack on fruit/nuts, cliff bars when I am getting sick. I have had seizures, passed out, do not remember some of the episodes when it got bad. Some of the Physicians I have seen thought I was nuts. Trying to convince them that I had the surgery to gain energy and a life did little. I now have an endocrinogist who is good, but really hates RNY and tells me every chance he can. He gave me Acarbose that really didn't help at all, he then progressed me to Proglycem (extremely expensive). He says it is "old school"... this too was not working and he upped the dose. I told him I was gaining 1-2 pounds a day on it and he told me to "get on a treadmill." I still had crashing issues with this as well. He mentioned to me once taking part of my pancreas and I thought he was nuts....NOW I would do anything to make this stop and have my life back. My Cardiologist told me to just reverse the surgery. I called Mayo Clinic today to get some help and my Husband wants to take me in the next month or so. Any info is greatly appreciated. You would think being an RN I would know about this ...but they are sure not spouting this before surgery to anyone I know. :(
2013: 20 Funny New Year's Resolutions
When it comes to New Year's resolutions, our family members and friends can get quite creative and even funny with what they resolve to do in the New Year. Here a few good ones I have heard along the way...Oh, and a few of my own!
1. I resolve to stop procrastinating about procrastinating!
2. I will stop sending Facebook messages and emails to my loved ones when they are in the same room as I am!
3. I will use my treadmill for something other than a place to hang my jacket.
4. I will not sit at the kitchen table in my PJ's all day. Instead, I will move my computer to my bedroom.
5. I vow to never take a laxative and a sleeping pill on the same night!
Click here to read more!
Tammy Colter
Director of Media & PR
Editor-In-Chief
ObesityHelp.com
OH Magazine
