Hi, I'm trying to take back control of my life. I was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes on St. Patricks Day. I initially got the cr@p scared out of me by the Diabetes Education Group I went to and subsequently lost 3 pant sizes. Unfortunatly fear only lasts as incentive just so long, and the pounds have been creeping [ok LEAPING] back on. I have started investigating the lap-band as a way to give me the 'extra' control I don't seem to have naturally. Am I on the right track, and has anyone had good results with getting their Diabetes under control using the Lap-band system??

I'm also 52, live in Florida, and the mother of an Asperger teenager [no stress THERE!], married for 32 years, and have 5 dogs :-P.

I want more than anything to....

GITRDONE

I was banded in April and have lost 53 lbs! It has changed my life. I feel SO much better. Still have 90 lbs to go and for the first time in my life have no doubt that it will come off. It is a great TOOL! Since it gives the feeling of fullness after only a small amount of food it HELPS me to push away from the table the minute I feel satisfied, but it is still a choice I have to make everytime I eat. You can sabotage the band by overeating or grazing or eating too many high calorie or high fat foods.

I do not have diabetes but I am an RN and can tell you that losing the weight will help reduce the amt of insulin needed to control your blood sugar and make it much easier to maintain acceptable blood sugar levels. I would suggest doing a search in your area for Bariatric Centers and make an appt for a consultation where they can explain the surgery and answer all your questions. Hope you will consider becoming a member of "The Losers' Club"! We are a pretty happy group!

I am in the same boat, I can lose the weight but it does creep and leap right back on your body... it is some what depressing but it is very nice to know I am not alone. Keep your head up and best wishes

go for it, girl

This is a wonderful tool. It is not a miracle surgery, you still have to make proper choices, but it sure is easier with the band.

I say do it, you are in the grip of a deadly disease, and this procedure could save your life.

I could not agree with you more. I know it has me, no matter how hard I try to get out of it I just can't seem to. Diet and exercise seem like a joke when the mountain in 100 miles ( or a 100 pounds) high. This thing this disease, plays tricks on your mind and makes a horrible joke of the body. I need an out before the "out" (death) gets me...

Thank you for the kind words of support (teary) I needed them

Well I don't have diabetes but I do have a band...thank goodness !!!! My mom has heart disease, diabetes, osteoarthritis, has had a stroke and is morbidly obese...I know exactly what my future looked like and that is why I took the steps I did.

Everyone is different and we all have to make our own choices and decide what we can live with... As someone else said, the band is only a tool, it's not a cure-all or quick fix. But if you are willing to make some lifestyle changes *and* realize that getting the band means those changes will have to last for the rest of your life, I would tell you to go for it !!!

On another note....the clinic where I had my surgery done in WA state is very lucky to have a fill nurse there who is very educated on banding and has had her band for almost 10 years. As much as she knows about bands, her *specialty* is diabetes and she has written and published books on both topics. You can look her up in Amazon or Google her if you are interested in her band or diabetes books...her name is Dr. Jessie H. Ahroni.

All the best in your decision !!!

Patricia

11/16/06 - band date

306/206/175ish I think

Surgery/today/goal

Thank you all for your input. You've made it easier for me to decide.

Gitrdone

thank you so much...i'll check her out