Dave_C

Hi all,
First post, but I have read the forums here from time to time.
It's been a long road, but I was banded two days ago. 5-10-11 by Dr John Groves in Albertville Al, I'm still a little sore and have some upper chest/shoulder gas pain, but I'm feeling great all things considered.
My main motivation for being banded was my diabetes. I've been Type 2 for almost 15 years. I am at max dosages on 4 different oral diabetes meds plus a Byetta injection. They were no longer doing the job and my blood sugar numbers were close to out of control. The next step was insulin and due to my job, I REALLY didn't need to be on insulin. Happy to report that after 2 weeks low carb Pre-Op diet and just a couple of days post-op my blood sugar is showing a marked improvement. Went from 200+ to 120 so far. My younger brother was banded 3 years ago and lost about 100 lbs and it has stayed off. He was also off all his diabetic and severe high blood pressure meds at 4 months and 40 lbs in.
I started my journey last August with a visit to one of their seminars. Then I spent the next 7 1/2 months jumping through all the hoops for Highmark BCBS. Last Dr supervised diet visit was visit 3-6-11. I got approved 4-1-11 and got the letter 4-10-11. I got my date a few days afterward. The surgery went great. No problems getting put to sleep (my biggest fear due a prior surgery years ago). Arrived at the hospital at 6am, was in surgey by 7:30, recovery and waking up at 8:45,in my room at 9:30, swallow test at 11:15 and on the way home by 12:30. All went great.
As of now,I'm not feeling hungry. I only have a few cravings, but no hunger pains. Look forward to my first fill!
I hope to become a part of this community. I think all of us have a lot in common.
Thanks,
Dave_C