Hello All,
I wanted to ask if there are any women out there who are pumping and have had a laparoscopic hysterectomy? I am wondering about the incisions that are made in the abdomen and if that has affected anyone in the way of scarring or sensitivity etc. If I understand correctly, the incisions will be made horizontally in line with my bellybutton. I’m worried about a loss of valuable infusion site real estate.
Thank you so much for any insight anyone may have 
I have had two laparoscopic surgeries - a salpingectomy and an ovarian cyst removal, so have a few scars. No problem at all with using a pump or CGM. They are tiny, and easily avoidable! Honestly, I have more scars from 20+ years of pumping that are more noticeable.
Thank you so much for taking the time to respond to my post - I really appreciate it, Makes me feel so much better 
Glad to hear! Hope your surgery goes well. The worst part for mine was not the recovery (which was easy), but the steroids making my blood sugars go crazy!
Oh geez ~ it’s been awhile since I had steroids but remember it elevating my bg somewhat for a day but not crazy…maybe because the dosage I got was a small amount….were the steroids you received over a period of days? I guess the best thing to do is talk to my dr about it…high readings will make me think my site isn’t workin 
I think it was just while I was on them, so a couple of days each time? Whenever I’ve been on steroids my insulin is like water. The day of my surgery I was on the exercise bike, trying to bring my numbers down. Probably not great for recovery!!
Omgosh - I go to the bike to do that too, usually when I have changed out a site, my bg is rising and I’ll see if the exercise helps to determine if the site isn’t working - Ugh I have a lot to look forward to lol!
Ha! As you know, your diabetes may vary
I have so many scars from all sorts of surgeries you could play connect-the-dots on my body. From oophorectomy/hysterectomy to appendix removal - these in the days before laproscopic surgery - to cholestectomy (gall bladder) to multiple hernia repairs. And as someone else said, all the pokes for insulin. There is still plenty of real estate left for the every-3-to-4 days movement of the infusion site. You’ll definitely have sensitivity near the scarring at first, but you’ll likely find other places to put your site. After one surgery i recall using upper thighs and even the side of a butt check. 
About the only things i avoid are veins/arteries and bruise marks. Most manufacturers want the insulin site to have some fatty tissue, but even my more muscular locations (a regular at a gym) do fine. Your mileage may vary, but check with your endo if you’re still concerned. Best wishes on a speedy recovery!
Can’t thank you enough - your thoughts are so helpful. Good to know re fatty tissue (also a regular at gym)!
A couple of thoughts here:
First, surgery scars. I had surgery in 2001 and they took out all the lymph nodes in my left groin, and also took out some tissue in the lower abdomen on that side. I couldn’t used that area for pump sites for a couple of years, but eventually it apparently healed well enough to use again. And, it was a small area, so still plenty of real estate left.
Second, since I’ve been on a pump, I’ve had several steroid shots. My rheumatologist actually figured out how to manage my numbers with steroids. A) immediately, and I do mean IMMEDIATELY, increase your bolus rate by about 30-50% (so, set it at 130-150% of your regular rate.) Keep an eye on your bgs and raise it more if you see it start creeping up higher. Also, increase your insulin to carb ratio a bit, too. I don’t use a percentage there, but I kind of wing it, like if I’m going to be eating 20g carbs and I’d normally give 2 units, I’ll give maybe 2.4 units. And B) keep an eye on your bgs as they start to come down and get too low, and gradually decrease the amount of extra basal.
The trick with steroids is to prevent your bgs from going high, because once they get up there, it’s almost impossible to get them down.
We are so very lucky to have technology to help us with things like this now.
Thank you so much - your notes on how to deal with bg increase due to steroids is so helpful - I will need to find out if steroids are part of the process….