update

[Guest guest]

I apologize in advance if I misspell something in advance in this message

because I'm going to discuss something that is very difficult for me. As I

might have explained in my previous messages, I was born pre-mature and when I

was probably at the age between 2-5 years old, I continued to gain weight.

Staff in school have put me on different diets, and I have dieted off and on as

an adult. However, I never could lose much weight due to a pituitary gland

malfunction. I believe the malfunction has been mostly the problem of my weight

gain over the years, but my endocrinologists have never told me that

specifically. I believe if they had caught my condition before the age of

twelve, some of this may not have happened.

Anyway, about 2-3 years ago, my medical doctor suggested I have the lap band

surgery, and I was hesitant to do this due to my other medical conditions and

due to the fact all the specialists for this type of surgery weren't in my area.

I probably live 30-40 minutes away from the specialist. Now, there is a

specialist who works in Raleigh. Yesterday, I went to my endocrinologist and he

also suggested I have the surgery. I'm on Levimer and Humalog and both of these

insulin's are causing me to gain more weight, which is the last thing I need.

This surgery could change my life for the better, but it doesn't stop me from

being afraid of the actual surgery and hoping I have the ability to take care of

myself sensibly afterwards. I know I can do it, it's just going to take a lot

of effort and support. My endocrinologist also told me yesterday that someone

else with similar conditions have gone through the surgery successfully.

Has anyone on this list lived with or dealt with anyone who has had this

surgery?

For these many years now, I've given myself a hard time about this off and on.

Now I'm dealing with thoughts like " this is my fault " . I've probably said too

much already, but I'd appreciate any positive thoughts. My doctor will make an

appointment for me and let me know something in the next few days. Will keep

you all updated.

I truly hope this message doesn't chase people away from the list.

thanks for listening.

[Guest guest]

Hopefully your doctor can steer you toward a support group for people who

have had or agre ging to have this surgery, or at least give you names and

contact info for some people who have had it. The best way to find out what

to expect is to talk to people who have actually had it. I understand it

can be a life saver, but it is not easy and requires a totally different

lifestyle after the surgery. The kinds of foods you can eat are limited,and

the portion sizes you can eat are very small.

Becky

_____

From: blind-diabetics

[mailto:blind-diabetics ] On Behalf Of Tucker

Sent: Saturday, April 05, 2008 11:05 PM

To: blind-diabetics

Subject: update

I apologize in advance if I misspell something in advance in this message

because I'm going to discuss something that is very difficult for me. As I

might have explained in my previous messages, I was born pre-mature and when

I was probably at the age between 2-5 years old, I continued to gain weight.

Staff in school have put me on different diets, and I have dieted off and on

as an adult. However, I never could lose much weight due to a pituitary

gland malfunction. I believe the malfunction has been mostly the problem of

my weight gain over the years, but my endocrinologists have never told me

that specifically. I believe if they had caught my condition before the age

of twelve, some of this may not have happened.

Anyway, about 2-3 years ago, my medical doctor suggested I have the lap band

surgery, and I was hesitant to do this due to my other medical conditions

and due to the fact all the specialists for this type of surgery weren't in

my area. I probably live 30-40 minutes away from the specialist. Now, there

is a specialist who works in Raleigh. Yesterday, I went to my

endocrinologist and he also suggested I have the surgery. I'm on Levimer and

Humalog and both of these insulin's are causing me to gain more weight,

which is the last thing I need.

This surgery could change my life for the better, but it doesn't stop me

from being afraid of the actual surgery and hoping I have the ability to

take care of myself sensibly afterwards. I know I can do it, it's just going

to take a lot of effort and support. My endocrinologist also told me

yesterday that someone else with similar conditions have gone through the

surgery successfully.

Has anyone on this list lived with or dealt with anyone who has had this

surgery?

For these many years now, I've given myself a hard time about this off and

on. Now I'm dealing with thoughts like " this is my fault " . I've probably

said too much already, but I'd appreciate any positive thoughts. My doctor

will make an appointment for me and let me know something in the next few

days. Will keep you all updated.

I truly hope this message doesn't chase people away from the list.

thanks for listening.

[Guest guest]

,

thank you for sharing! I am sure that there are other folks having similar

problems, but afraid to talk about it!

It must be a very difficult place to be!! Putting blame anywhere is not going to

help!

We are all made to feel like it's our fault at one time or another!

It will be a very difficult decision!! Please consider it very carefully!

Please don't be afraid to share, we have many very supportive people on the

list!

Good luck!!

update

I apologize in advance if I misspell something in advance in this message

because I'm going to discuss something that is very difficult for me. As I might

have explained in my previous messages, I was born pre-mature and when I was

probably at the age between 2-5 years old, I continued to gain weight. Staff in

school have put me on different diets, and I have dieted off and on as an adult.

However, I never could lose much weight due to a pituitary gland malfunction. I

believe the malfunction has been mostly the problem of my weight gain over the

years, but my endocrinologists have never told me that specifically. I believe

if they had caught my condition before the age of twelve, some of this may not

have happened.

Anyway, about 2-3 years ago, my medical doctor suggested I have the lap band

surgery, and I was hesitant to do this due to my other medical conditions and

due to the fact all the specialists for this type of surgery weren't in my area.

I probably live 30-40 minutes away from the specialist. Now, there is a

specialist who works in Raleigh. Yesterday, I went to my endocrinologist and he

also suggested I have the surgery. I'm on Levimer and Humalog and both of these

insulin's are causing me to gain more weight, which is the last thing I need.

This surgery could change my life for the better, but it doesn't stop me from

being afraid of the actual surgery and hoping I have the ability to take care of

myself sensibly afterwards. I know I can do it, it's just going to take a lot of

effort and support. My endocrinologist also told me yesterday that someone else

with similar conditions have gone through the surgery successfully.

Has anyone on this list lived with or dealt with anyone who has had this

surgery?

For these many years now, I've given myself a hard time about this off and on.

Now I'm dealing with thoughts like " this is my fault " . I've probably said too

much already, but I'd appreciate any positive thoughts. My doctor will make an

appointment for me and let me know something in the next few days. Will keep you

all updated.

I truly hope this message doesn't chase people away from the list.

thanks for listening.

[Guest guest]

,

As far as I'm concerned, you are blind, you're a diabetic, and you have a

problem (over weight) often seen with diabetics, so any of your concerns are

entirely appropriate for the list. You shouldn't blame yourself, or others, and

it seems you understand what does fall on your shoulders, that being, where to

go from here. I think Ruth had some good suggestions, about doing your home

work and finding out how many other diabetics have had this surgery, and how

successful the surgeries were. My own opinion is to do all you can without

surgery, but perhaps you've reached that point. Keep us posted.

Dave

update

I apologize in advance if I misspell something in advance in this message

because I'm going to discuss something that is very difficult for me. As I might

have explained in my previous messages, I was born pre-mature and when I was

probably at the age between 2-5 years old, I continued to gain weight. Staff in

school have put me on different diets, and I have dieted off and on as an adult.

However, I never could lose much weight due to a pituitary gland malfunction. I

believe the malfunction has been mostly the problem of my weight gain over the

years, but my endocrinologists have never told me that specifically. I believe

if they had caught my condition before the age of twelve, some of this may not

have happened.

Anyway, about 2-3 years ago, my medical doctor suggested I have the lap band

surgery, and I was hesitant to do this due to my other medical conditions and

due to the fact all the specialists for this type of surgery weren't in my area.

I probably live 30-40 minutes away from the specialist. Now, there is a

specialist who works in Raleigh. Yesterday, I went to my endocrinologist and he

also suggested I have the surgery. I'm on Levimer and Humalog and both of these

insulin's are causing me to gain more weight, which is the last thing I need.

This surgery could change my life for the better, but it doesn't stop me from

being afraid of the actual surgery and hoping I have the ability to take care of

myself sensibly afterwards. I know I can do it, it's just going to take a lot of

effort and support. My endocrinologist also told me yesterday that someone else

with similar conditions have gone through the surgery successfully.

Has anyone on this list lived with or dealt with anyone who has had this

surgery?

For these many years now, I've given myself a hard time about this off and on.

Now I'm dealing with thoughts like " this is my fault " . I've probably said too

much already, but I'd appreciate any positive thoughts. My doctor will make an

appointment for me and let me know something in the next few days. Will keep you

all updated.

I truly hope this message doesn't chase people away from the list.

thanks for listening.

[Guest guest]

Amen, .

LaFrance-Wolf

5120 Myrtus Avenue

Temple City, CA 91780

RE: update

I just have to wonder; don't people ever read the news or keep up with

current affairs?

This whole thing was huge in the regular news and swamped the diabetes news

just a few weeks ago. There was a major publication that suggested this

surgery was a very good option for treating/curing diabetes. The cure

refers to the ability to lose quite a bit of weight and in some cases that

can reduce the symptoms of diabetes such that treatment is not required,

although that is probably just temporary because the underlying defect is

still there.

Any surgery can be life threatening if something goes wrong. Tonsillectomy

has resulted in death. People have died from a bee sting, too. But, this

is very minor surgery, as far as cutting into the human body goes. The real

issue is preparation and follow-up. You will need to learn a whole new way

of life that will no longer include eating as recreation or comfort. The

banding will make that less likely, but not impossible and the consequences

are not just an upset tummy or weight gain. So, unless you are committed to

using this surgery as just one part of a new way of life, it is a bad idea.

But, for people who for whatever reason find themselves overweight and

having immediate health problems because of it, it is a good solution; good

is compared to the other choices. It is fairly rapid and non-toxic like

drugs, etc.

My opinion is if you don't have immediate access to support and you are not

100% committed, it is not the choice for you. There is a whole heck of a

lot of information out there to help make your decision. Your doctor's

suggestion is just the beginning and not even a very big step in the

process, if the process is done right.

The best!

__________ NOD32 3005 (20080406) Information __________

This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system.

http://www.eset.com

[Guest guest]

,

I haven't had any experience with that type of surgery. I hope it is successful

for you and helps you reach your weight loss goals as well as helping you lower

your blood sugars.

I don't know why this message would chase people away from the list. Keep us up

dated if you want. Take care.

Connie

update

I apologize in advance if I misspell something in advance in this message

because I'm going to discuss something that is very difficult for me. As I might

have explained in my previous messages, I was born pre-mature and when I was

probably at the age between 2-5 years old, I continued to gain weight. Staff in

school have put me on different diets, and I have dieted off and on as an adult.

However, I never could lose much weight due to a pituitary gland malfunction. I

believe the malfunction has been mostly the problem of my weight gain over the

years, but my endocrinologists have never told me that specifically. I believe

if they had caught my condition before the age of twelve, some of this may not

have happened.

Anyway, about 2-3 years ago, my medical doctor suggested I have the lap band

surgery, and I was hesitant to do this due to my other medical conditions and

due to the fact all the specialists for this type of surgery weren't in my area.

I probably live 30-40 minutes away from the specialist. Now, there is a

specialist who works in Raleigh. Yesterday, I went to my endocrinologist and he

also suggested I have the surgery. I'm on Levimer and Humalog and both of these

insulin's are causing me to gain more weight, which is the last thing I need.

This surgery could change my life for the better, but it doesn't stop me from

being afraid of the actual surgery and hoping I have the ability to take care of

myself sensibly afterwards. I know I can do it, it's just going to take a lot of

effort and support. My endocrinologist also told me yesterday that someone else

with similar conditions have gone through the surgery successfully.

Has anyone on this list lived with or dealt with anyone who has had this

surgery?

For these many years now, I've given myself a hard time about this off and on.

Now I'm dealing with thoughts like " this is my fault " . I've probably said too

much already, but I'd appreciate any positive thoughts. My doctor will make an

appointment for me and let me know something in the next few days. Will keep you

all updated.

I truly hope this message doesn't chase people away from the list.

thanks for listening.

[Guest guest]

My daughter had a similar surgery and she knows others who have had lap band

surgery. She tells me that the surgery helped those she knows that had the

surgery. After surgery you are allowed to eat three tablespoons of food

seveeral times per day. With lap band surgery if you eat too much the surgery

or lap band will cause you to vomit, not a pleasant experience. I do not know

if you are able to learn to eat three tablespoons of food five or six times per

day. If you could you may be able to avoid the surgery, if not the surgery is

your best bet.

update

I apologize in advance if I misspell something in advance in this message

because I'm going to discuss something that is very difficult for me. As I might

have explained in my previous messages, I was born pre-mature and when I was

probably at the age between 2-5 years old, I continued to gain weight. Staff in

school have put me on different diets, and I have dieted off and on as an adult.

However, I never could lose much weight due to a pituitary gland malfunction. I

believe the malfunction has been mostly the problem of my weight gain over the

years, but my endocrinologists have never told me that specifically. I believe

if they had caught my condition before the age of twelve, some of this may not

have happened.

Anyway, about 2-3 years ago, my medical doctor suggested I have the lap band

surgery, and I was hesitant to do this due to my other medical conditions and

due to the fact all the specialists for this type of surgery weren't in my area.

I probably live 30-40 minutes away from the specialist. Now, there is a

specialist who works in Raleigh. Yesterday, I went to my endocrinologist and he

also suggested I have the surgery. I'm on Levimer and Humalog and both of these

insulin's are causing me to gain more weight, which is the last thing I need.

This surgery could change my life for the better, but it doesn't stop me from

being afraid of the actual surgery and hoping I have the ability to take care of

myself sensibly afterwards. I know I can do it, it's just going to take a lot of

effort and support. My endocrinologist also told me yesterday that someone else

with similar conditions have gone through the surgery successfully.

Has anyone on this list lived with or dealt with anyone who has had this

surgery?

For these many years now, I've given myself a hard time about this off and on.

Now I'm dealing with thoughts like " this is my fault " . I've probably said too

much already, but I'd appreciate any positive thoughts. My doctor will make an

appointment for me and let me know something in the next few days. Will keep you

all updated.

I truly hope this message doesn't chase people away from the list.

thanks for listening.