Living with Diabetes and Lapband

I am currently at my lowest weight in probably decades.

I'm doing it through diet and exercise.  Specifically I'm doing Profile By Sanford.  If you decide to try them, use this link: Profile Plan Referral Link. I think we both get something from it.

I just signed up for another year.

Here's what I like about Profile -- they teach you how to eat correctly.  It's very flexible.  I've done their balance -- both when I started before my doctor gave permission, and while I was preparing for and recovering from surgery.  They have plans for pregnant women and breast feeding moms.  

I also exercise a lot, but that's mainly because I'm recovering from surgery.  I have several memberships to give me access to gyms.  I'll blog about my favorite soon.

This is the only plan that has gotten me off my very long McCafe Mocha addiction.  I'm currently drinking a peppermint mocha, with 8 oz. of coffee, Veggies Plus, whipped cream and a dash of dark chocolate syrup.  15 carbs.  

I really like the current plan, as I'll grab a protein bar and eat it mid workout.  Lunch will be their meal replacement and veggies.  I'll have another bar mid afternoon and a fiber drink.  Dinner will be on my own, probably Chili's sirloin and broccoli.  I'll eat a Profile chocolate cake before I go to bed.

It comes with a coach, app which links to a scale, and a food scale.  

I've lost just about 35 pounds this year while on profile.  I also had major surgery -- L4-L5 fusion and several steriod shots for hand pain.  

My insulin usage is down from 70 units a day to less than 20.  However, I am on Ozempic.

This is crazy, as I don't remember just how much in pain I was, but I couldn't stand or walk without a walker for more than say two minutes.

Standing is still a problem, but I think that will come with time and strength training.

I finally broke down and went to the recommended surgeon -- Dr. Timon with All Star Orthopedics, back in July.  He wasn't hopeful at the time, as he didn't see anything he can fix on the XRay but sent me for an MIR.  He was really excited after seeing it.  He saw a herniated disk which he knew he could fix.

I cancelled dog shows -- especially driving to Ohio for the National Beagle Speciality and scheduled the surgery immediately.  It was set up for Monday, September 13.

Got there, did all the prep and was waiting for surgery and Dr. Timon comes in.  He was furious because the facility wasn't climate controlled enough to guarateen that the surgical field would be sterile enough.  I had to get dressed and go home.  Got a call later in the day and the surgery was scheduled for the next day at a different facility.  Of course, I had to prep a second time which was hard on the skin.

That surgery went off without a hitch, but the staff at that hospital was difficult.  Dr. Timon insists that his patients walk every three hours for 24 hours after surgery.  Well, you tell me something and I'll do it to the best of my ability.  Unfortunately the staff wasn't on the same page.  Also they were lazy and disconnected my IV which caused it to clog.  It hurts a lot to unclog it.  Also I had no idea that they weren't alerted when the alarm went off.  They also didn't bother to tell me until the last bag of IV antibotics, that it was diluted with glucose (my endo said they should have used saline).

They did put 15 pounds of fluid on me (I know, I weighed before and after surgery).

Once I got home, recovery was easy.  I did insist on home health care which consisted on an OT and a nurse.  The OT came out two times -- first recommendation, get a hip kit BEFORE surgery.  That is tools that will help you to keep from BLTing (Bend, Lift, or Twist -- which you can't do for 6 weeks).

The wound got pink once, they threw antibotics on it, and it was all good.

I got cleared for PT after 6 weeks and scheduled it immediately. 

Did exactly that the PT people said -- and used All Star Orthopedics Physical Therapy -- it was my third round with them.  Was cleared after 6 weeks of 3 days a week - about an hour a day.   Did an extra 45 minutes of cardio each day.

I gained a bit of weight before surgery.  Took it off, and have been maintaining ever since.

Managed to accomplish my goal -- show my dogs at the Dallas Dog Show -- and was able to do it by myself, as always.  

I had a checkup yesterday, got a clean bill of health, and will go back in 6 months.  The PA said I was a textbook case!

I have completely gotten out of the habit of blogging, and I do know that when I do, I do better diabetes management wise.

It's been an interesting year, but hasn't it been for everyone.

I fell a few years ago, and wasn't able to get back up.  I went to my orthopedist office and they didn't find anything and sent me to physical therapy.  I used a walker to get around, and did for the past two years.

Come to find out, I had a herinated disk.  It wasn't seen until we did an MRI, last summer, and I almost immediately scheduled surgery.  Best thing ever.

The hospital stay itself was a nightmare, but more on that for another post.

Currently I'm walking 20 minutes a day on the treadmill, doing strength exercises, and doing 30 minutes of Peloton classes.  

I'm going to keep it short, so that I have other topics in the future.