Those effects are more likely due to the low carb diet than the weight loss itself. All the 'obesity epidemic' hysteria tends to obscure that even people on low fat diets are cutting back some on sugar. http://www.nutritionandmetabolism.com/content/5/1/9 The lower A1c and better lipid profile, as well as improved blood pressure, are known to be effects of low carb dieting and are independent of weight loss. Many people find their arthritic joints less painful and their reflux, apnea, acne or asthma improve greatly very soon after cutting back on the carbage, way before much fat has been lost. Some people who don't seem to lose much weight even on low carb stay on it because they feel so much better. You may also find that you don't need the Byetta to reduce your appetite any more since low carb does that also. Do you realize that if your BG never goes above 120mg/dl or so the Byetta will have no effect on insulin production? If you do find you need the insulin even on low carb, regular is ~$20 per vial at Wal-Mart. Lets see if we can't get some representation on the committee that makes the next government pyramid: http://weightoftheevidence.blogspot.com/2008/05/2010-dietary-guidelines-committee.html http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike/obesity/2010-usda-dietary-guidelines/ Richard K Bernstein, Richard D Feinman, Jeff S Volek, Eric C Westman and Mary C Vernon would all be good names to propose.

Funny that your final sentence is a direct contradiction to most "health insurance" plans - they generally won't provide any assistance towards weight loss, but are more than happy to spend tons of money on drugs, testing, hospitalizations and other weight related complications!  It would make sense to subsidize weight loss programs for folks who are considered obese, but many health plans are looking at only short term cost control.  Grrrr...