I have type II diabetes and was banded on Oct. 7th. I was able to go off of all of my diabetes medicines about 1/2 week into the pre-op liquid diet and am now a little over two weeks post-op and my blood sugars are rising. 145 this morning and 215 about 2 hours after breakfast. I think I am going to have to go back on some medicines, but hate to do it cause they promote weight gain. I was hoping that I could stay off of the meds altogether, I see my physician next Tuesday 10/28 and am afraid she will put me back on all of them again! Anyone else have the same problem?

Not all diabetes meds promote weight gain. What are you taking?

I had the same experience. I was able to cut out my insulin and most of my oral meds during the pre-op liquid diet and for the first few weeks post-op. But when you start eating again, your blood sugar is going to go up.

I noticed a big drop in the amount of insulin I needed after I lost 10% of my body weight. My endocrinologist says there's a big difference when you drop 20% of your body weight too.

I know it's hard, but be patient. Your blood sugar will come around.

I was taking 2 glyburide and one avandia twice per day. Metformin twice per day and 10 mg Byetta twice per day. Blood sugar today has been 145 and 164. With barely any food in my system. 145 was first thing in the morning and 164 two hours after I ate 1/2 a scrambled egg and 1/4 piece of toast.

My surgeon's said you can't do byetta with the band, it will erode the band. Have you been able to start working out? The few days I had higher, I didn't do my morning work out. Trust me now I do it faithfully every morning.

Teri

I am diabetic too and have not been banded yet. I cant wait to get rid of meds!!!!

I hadn't heard that Byetta would erode the band! I need to talk to my surgeon b4 I go to my diabetic doctor. I walk daily, sometimes in the morning and sometimes after work. It all depends on how I feel in the morning, I have never been a morning person and usually get up in time to get ready for work. But I always get my walk in. Once my doctor says I can lift I am going to start using my weight bench 3 times a week as well, I think he said 4-6 weeks after surgery, which means I have 2-3 weeks to go! I am hoping that I won't have to go back on the meds, it is so nice not to have to take them at all! I have some female problems so I have had the Depo shots every 3 months and that also promotes weight gain. GRRRRR. but as of this morning I am 23 pounds down. Hopefully things will work out.

I too had great sugar control when on the liquid phase, morning readings under 100. my Dr. cut my lantis from 40 units to 20 units. I was told to increase my insulin 2 units every 3 days until my sugar is better. I am at 34 units at bed time and ready to increase it another 2 units tonight. Started on mushie food and sugar started to rise. I can not figure out why my sugar is rising so much. I have lost about 15 pounds and down from a size 20 to 16. I keep thinking soon my sugar will be better. I know this is a battle that will be had to beat, but worth it in the long run.

I am so glad I found this site... I'm having the same problems that you guys are... I had my surgery Nov 18, 08. I was totally off my meds during the liquid phase and then as soon as I started eating solid food, everything has gone down hill. They put me on sliding scale insulin (novolog)... I test my sugar and do the shot according to my reading prior to my meal... just as they told me. My readings have now gotten to around 220 usually first thing in the morning... around 150 - 175 before lunch and dinner. By bedtime I'm usually around 100 and then in the morning back up to around 220. I don't know what else to do. I've never taken insulin before. This is certainly not what I expected. I'm 1/4 of the way to my goal weight, down 26 pounds... but seem to have hit a plateau since my first fill Jan 5. The rest of the problem is that I can't get enough protein without drinking protein shakes. They're low carb, hi protein... but they don't seem to have time to get out of my system before it's time for the next the next sugar test, shot and meal. I'm taking 12-14 units of novolog before breakfast when I'm around 120's... and then usually 5-7 units before lunch and dinner when my readings are around 150-170. I've spoken with my diabetic educator and she gave me a couple of ideas to try... and they didn't help. Have a call in to my internist today to see what else I should do. Anyone have any ideas?

I have type 2 diabetes as well. I actually got the band as part of a diabetic study that McMaster University is doing. They're trying to associate some hormone that is eliminated with weight loss surgery (there were 3 random groups, RNY Bypass, Lap Band and Medical Management, that participants were slotted into after heaps of pre-screening tests. Guess what i got :cursing: ).

I was taking 2000mg of metformin, 6g of gluconorm and 40 units of Lantus insulin daily. When I started my pre-op diet I cut out the insulin right away and then the gluconorm and finally was weaned off of the metformin. I am 2 weeks post op and was told by my specialist not to take anything until I see him at the end of Feb. He thinks that I might be back on metformin (although a smaller dose) for a bit until I get my weight down, but that it will actually assist with weight loss. I was told that insulin makes you gain weight (the fact that I gained 16lbs in 2 weeks when I started it leads me to believe that this is correct in my case) and that the gluconorm can also cause weight gain.

I'm ok going back on my metformin for a while. Since I am part of this study that is specifically for diabetics, they have done a whole bunch of tests that I'm sure the average patient doesn't go through. That being said, my bariatric specialist has told me that my pancreas secretes enough natural insulin to support a person with a normal BMI, and the entire team of doctors is convinced that once I get down to that level that I will be off of all diabetes medication for good. Hopefully, the same is true with the rest of you. It's a stupid disease and it's nice to know that it can be "reversed", if you know what I mean.

Yes, I'm told that insulin causes weight gain. that's why I'm so upset. I was not on insulin and my sugars were in control... now everything is out of wack and I'm on 2 types of insulin. How are you taking the metformin? My dosage was 1000 2 times a day... Can you cut them in half or quarters?