update

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Thank you for sharing. This whole thing takes a lot of thought and is very

difficult, but don't blame yourself. I really don't think it will chase

anyone away from the list, and I think you will find a cheering squad and

support team here for you. One suggestion I would make is this - You said

your doctor said other people have done this surgery successfully. Are

these other people diabetic? When you are diabetic it changes the possible

outcomes in my experience. Do your homework and ask very specifically the

outcomes for diabetic people doing this surgery. Good luck.

Ruth

[Guest guest]

Hello ,

This is an important topic for this list. Many, many diabgetics are overweight

.. this was a big topic on another diabetic list I was on.

I know at least 2 diabetics who had this surgery. 1. it demands a whole

different diet and 2. a support group is really helpful and 3. the type of

eating is much different. Both of these diabetics after losing over 100 pounds

each, have either decreased their meds or stopped them altogether..

, there can always be problems with any surgery, but (speaking as former

R.N.), these problems usually do not arise. With all the surgeries I have

experienced personally, I assume everything will be okay-and they have been! The

by-pass I had caused some problems afterwards, but I got over that too.

One of the drivers of our local Para transit company weighted over 400 pounds

and has lost 145 so far in about a year and expects to lose even more during the

next year. She said the initial few weeks were difficult getting used to eating

so much less and not eating some of the foods she formerly ate, but she is happy

with e results, she is recommending this surgery to everyone.

I don't know what other drugs you are on because of your pituitary problems, but

I suspect that you are right-that many be part of your problem. If your endo

recommends this surgery, I'm glad you are looking at it so carefully.

You know you have the support of everyone on this list!

LaFrance-Wolf

5120 Myrtus Avenue

Temple City, CA 91780

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]

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!

[Guest guest]

Yes, I'm having it on 09/03. and I know my diabetes will either get better or go

away. However, I'm still here to help my group. This group will remain alive

as long as I am. Thanks for asking.

update

Ok, I will be having surgery on 09/03. a little over 2 weeks away. I feel

like a bundle of nervers, a little scared, and excited at the same time.

It's interesting how you can have different types of feelings at the same

times about this stuff. Talk to you all later.

[Guest guest]

mELLIA, good luck to you. I have known a few people who have done this and are

very happy they did. Keep us updated and good luck. and Joe

update

Ok, I will be having surgery on 09/03. a little over 2 weeks away. I feel

like a bundle of nervers, a little scared, and excited at the same time.

It's interesting how you can have different types of feelings at the same

times about this stuff. Talk to you all later.