I just started Byetta. Not Banded yet, I see the surgeon at the end of the month. Is there anyone out there that has tried Byetta, and the lap Band?

One of my good friends on here is on it and she is not diabetic, her doc gave it to her for weightloss and it's working great for her. I was insulin resistant a few months ago, so I'm thinking about talking to my doc about it. I think it's a great drug!

Thanks Suzzie, Do you think your friend can tell me how she started w/byetta, I just started on Monday. And my appetite as gone down and my blood sugars are getting alot better.

I would really like to try using Byetta just to see how it works for weight loss -- especially since I am at a point in my weight loss where the pounds are coming off much more slowly, and I get into these frustrating plateaus from time to time. Another poster mentioned that she is using Byetta strictly for weight loss (she apparently is not diabetic), and that it is working really well for her.

I doubt that my Internist will prescribe it to me though, because he is a real stickler for doing absolutely everything by the book -- he didn't even want me to have WLS because I didn't have any "comorbidities," (I didn't take his advice, obviously :biggrin:). Anyhow, I stand probably about a 1% chance (or less) of getting a prescription for this from my Dr. :smile:..........

Good luck with this and keep us posted!

Crazy Ates March Exercise Challenge

14/30 Exercise Sessions

(8 Cardio, 4 Core Strength & flexibility, 2 Weight training)

Hi Frangipini, The Byetta works with Metformin to help with the weight loss. and since I started using Byetta, my numbers are getting so much better. Are you diabetic, if you are, you can get a second opinon with an Endocrionolgist and see if you can get it. I had to see a specialist, and they suggested it. My regular Dr said she couldn't order it for me

I have been taking Byetta for two weeks now (5MG). Today I will go up to 10MG. I am not banded yet. Thought I would try the medication first. I have noticed that I am not as hungry and have cut back on the amount of food I eat. However, I don't want to do this forever and I dont think the weight loss will be enough to reduce my diabetes medication. I plan on getting banded as soon as I can.

Kayala,

Byetta is the best thing since sliced bread. I've been taking it for a few months now and my diabetes has never been better. I actually have morning fasting #'s of 90 and 120 no as opposed to the 250's I used to have. And yes, it does curb your appetite some. I'm only taking 5MG now, but it really is great.

My numbers are getting better too. Are you lap banded? and do you have any side effects from the byetta? I'm not a big eater anymore. It so great.

I'm diabetic, and tried Byetta a few times. I just couldn't handle the nausea. I hear they are testing a new version of it that you would only have to take once a week, but that probably won't be available for a few years. I'm getting banded on Apr. 11.

Hi everyone!

I was on Byetta a few months ago. I have insulin resistance. It is a wonder drug for many people. It can suppress your appetite, but it's main effect is delayed gastric emptying. It is a hormone from the saliva of a lizard (Gila monster)...they can go days without food because when they eat, it takes them a very long time to digest what they've consumed. It is NOT insulin. It helps your body make insulin, and improves your blood sugars. It can work very well for some people in controlling their blood sugar and HgA1C. Weight loss is a side effect...but a good one! I didn't lose but a few pounds and found that I felt fatigued a lot while on it. I didn't get some of the terrible nausea that a lot of people do while taking it, but it wasn't worth it for me to keep taking it and not benefiting with any significant weight loss. There are some bad side effects too, so not all docs are on board with handing it out. The twice daily injections get old too, but the weekly one would be nice.

I'm not sure that someone with a lapband would need it though. You will get full faster due to the band anyway. Hope this helps!

~C

Wow!! OMG I just typed this HUGE response and lost it so here is the short version:

Byetta.com is a website but I can't seem to get the link in right..

I was on it (and off it) since 8/06....Byetta helped me tons at first (about 30 lbs) then sorta wavered off...The ticker you see does not reflect my Byetta loss...that was last year....

It really helped my A1c I found out....

As for gila monster saliva...YOU ARE NOT INJECTING IT...the saliva...it is synthetic and was made to work and copy the saliva....I had to ask my doc that one when I heard I was injecting myself with Gila monster spit,,,LOL...

I think it works well only with Formet or Metformin and you need to be on one of those first.

I never had any bad side effects except for bruising when I was learning to inject myself..

You sure loose your fear of needles...I actually switched to a longer one because we felt that would help the delivery of it when I thought it was wearing off....it helped....

It is expensive on my UHC but has come down in price...

GOES to show you that I will try anything to loose weight.

I'm waiting to see how long after I am banded to stay on it...except until my sweat spot, I sure don't want to give it up!

Edited April 2, 200818 yr by amsderb

Hey Guys,

This is a great thread with lots of great info. Thanks for sharing :thumbup:!

I'm not diabetic, and as I said earlier, my Internist is a real stickler for doing everything right by the book, so much so that I'm not even going to ask him about this. He'd probably laugh me out of his office anyway, since I have already lost 86 pounds in a relatively short period of time.

That said, it's good to know that I probably wouldn't notice a significant difference in my rate of weight loss -- and the thought of injecting myself with a drug that is not necessary for me to take doesn't sound very appealing either...........

Have a great day everybody!

Crazy Ates April Exercise Challenge

0/30 Exercise Sessions

Banded 8/07/07 Dr. Miguel Zapata, Monterrey Mexico

I have been on byetta for a few months now. At first it diminished my appetite, but I am not feeling it now. I am taking 10mcg's twice a day and I am having trouble taking the meds when I am supposed to. You are supposed to take it 1 hour before b-fast and 1 hour b4 dinner. My schedule is sooooo hectic that I often forget. I am now trying to set my cell phone alarm, but sometimes my son takes my cell. I am also taking 2000mg of metformin before bed (can anyone spell d-i-a-h-r-r-e-a :wink_smile:). I can't wait to get OFF of ALL of these meds!!!!!

I am scheduled for band surgery on 5/1. I am not scheduled to see my endocrinologist until 2 weeks after that ... I have seen another injectible medication in a magazine that only needs to be taken once per day. I am going to ask my doc about that one!!!

My diabetes is not off the charts, but is still considered within the zone of "diabetes". Hopefully I'll see some positive results after I have lost 10% of my weight!!!

Kala -

I'm not banded yet (hoping for May), but the ONLY thing I experience was a little upset stomach for the first day. After that - everything was fine.

Thank you everyone with all the responses. I have been taking the 5mg 2x a day. I was so excited to see if it would help me lose weight. But I haven't lost anything. And lately I don't feel good, I am nauseas, I don't want to eat or drink anything, Its hard to drink even water. I use to be a hot person, and now I'm cold all the time. So I am thinking about stopping the shots. I am going to leave a msg with the Endo to see if that's ok. I have seen my surgeon, had 1 psch meeting and 1 support meeting, dietician next week. I am hoping to get a surgery date soon.

Again Thank you.

I just spoke to my endo and she is going to check into the Byetta Lap band thing to see if I should continue etc...

I have never had diarrea but I use extended release Formet (ER) instead of metformin?? I wonder if that is why..

I know we all are different, on of my friends can't have any tomatoe based foods or sauces with it....not me..

As for the one hour before, I was told to eat within the hour...so inject and eat...not wait an hour...hmm...

As I said before, it does tend to wear off a bit in terms of the not craving or wanting food thing..yet I still have control between meals...I just need to control portions which is easy not too...hence, The Band!!

I'll let you know what my doc finds out from Byetta and any studies

Be well