Diabetics: When did you get off your meds after banding?

[Mikochan 0]

Hi - I got banded just over a week ago and asked my endocrinologist whether I could stop taking my diabetic meds after surgery. He said to stay on them for about 3 months because, even though my blood sugar levels are the lowest they've ever been, he thought they would help me lose weight by increasing my insulin. I think they are actually having the opposite effect.

If you were Type 2 diabetic before surgery, when did your doctor take you off your meds? Was there a time when you knew that you could go off of them? Do you think they helped you lose weight? I am taking 3 different meds for diabetes and I so want to stop taking them so at least I can save some money on prescription costs.

Thanks!

[phyl808 1]

I stopped taking my diabetes meds right after surgery, my surgeon took me off them. Its been 6 months now for me, my sugar counts are normal and my a1c is 4.6 - Normal.

[HeatherO 7]

You are so newly banded and are probably still on a specialized diet. I definitely would not quit now without doctors support. Three months is really not that long and you should at least wait to see how well your blood sugars are stabilizing when you move onto more solid foods.

Ultimately your overall good health is the goal and it makes sense to take a little time adjusting your medications. You probaby did not develop diabetes overnight, so I would be careful assuming it would go away so quickly. Also keep in mind that not every diabetic is the same and what works for one person may not work the same for you.

What were your average levels before banding and what are they now? Are you maintaining a healthy range? Have you already stopped taking meds or are you just contemplating it?

Edited July 9, 2008 by HeatherO

[LisaB411 0]

I was able to cut out my insulin completely for the first 3 weeks after surgery. When I started eating again, my blood sugars began to increase. After nearly 3 months, I am taking about 1/3 of the insulin I took before the band. I ended up cutting out one med (Glucophage XR) just because I couldn't get the big pill down, and you aren't supposed to cut it up. I still take one pill.

My endocrinologist says when you can get off meds depends on how much weight you lose. Usually people see a difference in blood sugars after losing 10% of their body weight and 20% and make a huge difference.

[Mikochan 0]

I didn't mean to imply that I was going to go off my meds without my doctor's approval. I just "want" to go off of them.

My blood sugars before surgery (when I was eating real food) were in the 120's, and now after surgery they are in the 90's. They are pretty stable, and have been for about 7 months or longer.