Do you feel it is harder for diabetics to lose weight? My Lap Band doctor has said it will be. He is very concerned that I am still on insulin and I am not losing anymore.

I think it might be harder, or technically slower for diabetics because the average bandster loses some of their weight by learning new eating habits, and lessening the sugars and complex carbs they take it, thus resulting in weight loss. Where as someone who has been treating diabetes, has already eliminated those, so will be relying more on the help with feeling full on less, and exercise. I do think with proper fill the band will still help those with diabetes though, by helping them achieve the full feeling sooner, and then taking in less calories in general, and with each pound lost, moving more becomes easier. Exercise is key to keeping blood sugars in control with the diabetics in my family I know, and when you weigh less it is easier.

I have a niece though who is seriously insulin dependent, and she has never weighed over 116 in her life!!!

Good Luck~~
Kat

I agree that at this point it will be the ability to take in less calories overall that will be beneficial with the surgery. I am curious as to how many calories you eat in an average day. I am diabetic and pre-surgery and really trying to determine if this is a tool that will truly help me eat less calories than I currently do.

I know it is harder for me to lose weight while taking my Metformin. When I was only in Levemir(newer insulin) I was able to lose easier than when was switched to only oral medication(Metformin). Now without strenuous exercise at least 5 times a week the scale will not move. At least with the band it is no longer going up:)

I agree with above poster! My mom was on Lantus for 3 years and gained 20 or so pounds. Her doc recently switched her over to Levemir (works the same way) and she has been able to lose 12 pounds! She's not even banded. I never knew the brand of insulin could make such a difference.

Everything is harder for diabetics! I have been a type 2 for 16 yrs and am on a Humolog shot with each meal and Lantus at night. I take oral meds 2x daily also. I am on a preop diet and getting banded on this Tues. My BMI is 50 and I am 58 yrs old...a lot to loss and everything to gain. If you can find a great diabetic doctor or RN to work with as prescribed by your doctor, like I have...you can wean down off the insulin and oral meds and thus make it much easier to lose the weight. It can only be done with strict diet control.
I am on only the oral meds now and the Lantus...off the Humalog WHICH IS ONLY MY STORY, I AM NOT SAYING TO DO THAT YOURSELF. But, it takes lots of checking blood sugars and watching proteins and carbs. It is not impossible if you are type 2. It is a horrid disease, and it really wears out the old pancreas fast. At least we can aim to decrease our meds and lose!
Good luck and don't give up...find the right diabetic provider to work with.
ChristyC