Users turn a dial to select the desired dose of insulin and press a plunger on the end to deliver the insulin. These are great for people who fear needles, but they're expensive and you have to boil and sterilize the units frequently. These connect to narrow, flexible plastic tubing that ends with a needle inserted just under the skin near the abdomen. The insulin pump is about the size of a deck of cards, weighs about 3 ounces, and can be worn on a belt or in a pocket. Users set the pump to give a steady trickle or 'basal' amount of insulin continuously throughout the day.
Most pumps have the option for setting several rates.
If you use an insulin pump, it's really important to monitor your blood sugar frequently so you can determine the right dose and also to be sure that the insulin is being delivered. These pumps can be expensive to buy and maintain. You can inject insulin into several places on your body. Insulin injected near the stomach works fastest. Insulin injected into the thigh works slowest and a shot in the arm works at medium speed.