I have been hovering around this forum off and on for a while, trying to decide if the band is the right thing for me. I am about 60 lbs. overweight, and at 4'11'' that is a lot of weight!! I am type II diabetic, which has proven even harder for me to lose weight. I start a diet, but then my blood sugar drops and I am ravenous!!! It just seems so hopeless. I have read somewhere that many people manage to get control over the type II diabetes after doing lap band. Is there anyone out there that is type II diabetic and has had the lap band surgery?

Hi I have type II diabetes and had the lap band January 4,2011. Reason for having the procedure was because of my diabetes. I had a appointment January 17, with my diabetes doctor and I was told that after losing 20 pounds so far has helped lower the amount. On insulin I'm taking. I was on 170 units a day, now Im taking between 7-17 units a day, great change. I was also told maybe an additional 10-15 pound loss will get me off of insulin altogether.

For me it was the right decision I made, it's a lot of work but worth it.

I hope this helps!

I'm a type II diabetic and have had my band for 14 months. Until two weeks ago (I think), I was taking Lantus in the morning and Humalog with each meal. Now I don't have to take any! My diabetes is controlled by my diet.

The band works by putting pressure on the vagus nerves, which tell the stomach to quit producing ghrelin, the hunger hormone. This means that instead of constant hunger, we are satisfied for 4 hours or so after a meal. I eat 3 oz of Protein, 1/2 cup of vegies for lunch and the same for dinner but with an additional 1/4 cup of starch (rice, Beans or potatoes). I don't eat wheat products or sugar because both affect my blood sugar more rapidly and negatively and cause intense cravings.

I will tell you that my biggest difficulty over this last year has been eating due to the ravenous hunger as a result of blood sugar shifts so the sooner you can get that under control, even with meds, the better. Here are some things that helped me.

Avoid sugar and wheat products. Both will cause very rapid fluctuations in our blood sugar.

Disregard any advice/orders by your nutritionist and doctor to eat only 3 meals a day. I can do that now that my blood sugar is under control but I couldn't before. I ate every 2.5 hours to keep my blood sugar stable. Here's how my day went...

B: 2 eggs and 2 sl bacon or a low cal/low carb Protein shake

mid-morning: hard boiled egg or 1-2 oz of cheese or 1 slice of a deli ham (about 1 oz)

L: 3 oz protein, 1/2 cup vegies

mid-afternoon: same as mid-morning

D: 3 oz protein, 1/2 cup vegies, 1/4 cup rice, beans or potatoes

mid-evening: same as other mid-meal Snacks

Vegies should be low carb...green beans, asparagus, broccoli. If I want a starchy vegetable like corn or peas or winter squash, I count it as my 1/4 cup starch, not a veg.

My .02...try eating the above type diet before you get the band and if you're still dealing with real hunger, eat protein or a low carb vegie instead of opting for the high carb stuff. If/when you get the band and you're on a restricted diet for awhile, the most critical element will be to make sure you get your protein throughought the day. Most surgeons say 60gm is what to aim for. I found that wasn't enough to keep my blood sugar stable on such a limited diet. I was probably closer to 120gm per day.

Your goal has to be to keep your blood sugar stable so you don't get into the situation caused by blood sugar shifts. If i can help, please feel free to contact me privately.