I was told that if a person has diabetes and gets banded, that it would help and they could come off their meds. I was taken off the meds the day before I had my surgery (01/19/12) because the pills are too big to swallow, but now it seems like my glucose levels are staying too high. I'm not eating bad, no sugar & low carbs. Can anyone that has diabetes tell me if they were able to stay off the meds? If not, what are you taking?

I am diabetic and NO I absolutely did not stop my meds because of surgery! That is so dangerous. I am concerned that your doctor told you to simply stop your meds. Being banded alone will not cure diabetes. A mild diabetic may not need meds after a time of being banded from diet change and weight loss, but it is not automatic. My doctor that takes care of my diabeties guided me through this process. While I have reduced my insulin levels greatly, I still use insulin and take my metformin( horse pills) daily. I am in the "green zone" and have never had trouble taking my "horse pills"! Please see your endocrinologist about how to proceed with your diabetes treatment. Best of luck on your journey and hopefully you will be diabetes free very soon!

I only just got banded last week, but I am diabetic. (and an RN) Now I have not taken my meds are normal, because I was not eating enough the first two days. But I have been checking my sugars and taking my pills since then. I would not just stop taking them. Just because you had a lap band in, does not help the diabetes. You have to lose weight and change your diet to see if the diabetes goes down to a normal level. I would speak to your regular doctor or the diabetes specialist about this. Highs and Lows are very scary and very dangerous. Please take your sugars multiple times a day. Learn your body. I am also hoping that my diabetes goes away. But I am not going to stop taking my meds until my A1C is perfect and my fasting and post meal sugars are in range also. Good luck!!

oh- I have not had a problem taking pills.

I am diabetic and was banded on 2-15-12. i was not able to take my meds 1000mg of metformin and 5 mg of glipizide the day before surgery. after surgery my fasting sugar was 72...since then my sugars have always been in range between 84 and 118. i called my doc and she told me to completely discontinue the glipizide and take 500mg of metformin if my fasting sugar was 138 and above. she also told me to check my sugars more diligently as i was only checking sporadically pre-op. i am now testing about twice a day once fasting and once after a meal...they have continued to remain in range since surgery so i am no longer on meds at this point. good luck to you and follow the orders of your heath care professionals...i can't wait to see my new A1C:) diabetes is so tricky...