Hello everyone! I'm new here and really excited. I'm about 3-4 weeks from my surgery date if all goes well. I'm starting to get really nervous about controlling my diabetes. I've read some threads on this subject but most of them are old posts. I'm looking to get some info/advice from other bandsters on how to keep my BS from dropping all the time since I won't be eating like I've been used to. Especially worried about the first weeks after surgery. And I've also read that people with Type 1 diabetes lose weight alot slower than others and this really discourages me. Anyone with advice/info/experience with this? My sugars already run low sometimes anyway. Any help is greatly appreciated.

I can't help you per se as I don't have diabetes. However, as a retired nurse, I can recommend that you get a tube of glucose from the pharmacy to carry in your purse for those times that your sugar bottoms out. Keep in really close contact with your PCP or whoever monitors your diabetes. You may find that you will be coming off all meds very soon. I have met so many people at group that report "they are no longer" on meds and how fast they came off them post-op. Watch it closely.

Please don't take this the wrong way, but I am very surprised you are Type 1 and obese enough to get a band. Most Type 1's tend to be very thin or in a normal weight range, whereas Type 2's tend to be obese. My daughter has Type 1 diabetes and is also on a pump so I am very familar with the disease. I agree with the other poster who said to keep a tube of glucose with you at all times. But in addition to staying in contact with your PCP consult with your endrocinologist as well on a frequent basis. As you lose weight you may need to reduce your basal readings in your pump so that you are not getting as much insulin and also be sure to always set a temp basal when you exercise. Don't forget about the "sun down" syndrome of getting lows in the middle of the night. Weight loss is probably slower with the band for pump patients because insulin in a fat storing hormone and you will probably have to drink fruit juice or regular pop on a frequent basis to combat the low's. Good luck to you. It's a huge challenge to deal with Type 1, let alone have to adjust to life as a bandster too.

I am an RN and also have type 1 diabetes with an insulin pump. I have had an insulin pump for over 5 years and love having one. It is by far the best treatment plan I have utilized in treating my diabetes. I have lost over 120 pounds since getting my band last year in September. What I did to control low blood sugars was to set my temporary basal rate to hardly anything for about an hour. I checked my blood sugar sometimes 15 times per day or more if I needed to. I found my basal needs to have dropped by half and most importantly I am using a night basal rate which is much lower than before. Definitely keep some type of juice around for lows. I also had low blood pressure issues for several weeks to months post op. I found that I really could not tolerate any my blood pressure medications and they needed to be stopped altogether. I would not be discouraged by the postings you read. I have found the band to work as long as you are willing to do what it takes to make it work.

Hello everyone! I'm new here and really excited. I'm about 3-4 weeks from my surgery date if all goes well. I'm starting to get really nervous about controlling my diabetes. I've read some threads on this subject but most of them are old posts. I'm looking to get some info/advice from other bandsters on how to keep my BS from dropping all the time since I won't be eating like I've been used to. Especially worried about the first weeks after surgery. And I've also read that people with Type 1 diabetes lose weight alot slower than others and this really discourages me. Anyone with advice/info/experience with this? My sugars already run low sometimes anyway. Any help is greatly appreciated.

You should speak with your Endocrinologist about your pump since your basal rate will need to be adjusted while you are on liquids and mushies. Also your carb ratio and correction adjustments will need to be fine tuned as you start to lose weight.