I was just reading in Goggle that folks who have the surgery fair better then folks who do not as far as having Diabetics is concerned. Her is the link/web address.

http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSN22530113

There's an article on MSNBC.com that deals with the same study. It was done in Australia and compared type II diabetics, some who had lap band surgery and the others who had conventional (diet & medication) therapy. It showed 13% remission of diabetes in the conventionally treated patients versus 79% remission in the lap band patients. That's HUGE. There are lots of interesting things about this study, but hopefully it will help make it a little easier to get this treatment in the US and elsewhere for diabetics. Here's the link:

Obesity surgery may cure diabetes - Diabetes - MSNBC.com

You would think those figures would be good enough to loosen up the insurance companies to pay for LBS. It would be less expensive than paying for diabetic care for decades.

You know I think this was the most chilling part for me:

"

The death rate for stomach band surgery, which can cost $17,000 to $20,000, is about 1 in 1,000. There were only minor complications in the study. Stomach stapling has a 2 percent death rate and costs $20,000 to $30,000."

1:1000 compared to 2:100 - that was the main reason for my choice right there...

PS: As a fully self-pay in Australia, the surgery and pre/post care visits have cost me jut over $10,000, not $17-20K

Until recently, I had been on Metformin (4 pills a day) for about 10 years and Avandia (4 mg a day) for about 5 years, both common drugs for diabetes.

I am proud to report that I have been off all diabetes medications for the last month (I had been slowly reducing dosages) and my blood sugar has tested normal the entire time. I looked at the study, that was entirely comprised of "lower BMI - between 30 and 40" and as you can see, I started at a significantly higher BMI. The proof is in the pudding (or in this case - the cottage cheese) :biggrin:

Hopefully the insurance and medical establishments will see more of the long term health benefits and make getting the surgery easier!

THere is a new york times article on the same topic coming out in the morning.

Obesity Surgery Found Effective in Treating Diabetes - New York Times

After reducing my insulin twice in a short time after surgery, my diabetes doc today took me off all before-meals insulin and Byetta. This is about 11 weeks after surgery. I am still taking Lantus, a 24-hour insulin, which he says to adjust as necessary to keep my BG no higher than 125. That's five fewer tummy-stabbings per day! Happy happy joy joy!

Wow, some of you are so prepared and ready. I applaud you all for this. I also feel the insurance companies need to realize it is cheaper in the long run to cover the surgery then it is to keep supplying us with meds and supplies as well as all the complications that come form the long years of dealing with the decease.