mrsto

Yep, I had it too. I had no idea, but it was repaired at the time of surgery.

It's an autoimmune thyroid disease, causing hyperthyroidism. It's controlled with medication, and sometimes radioiodine treatment. There are many other treatments, but I'm not up on all of it. An old client's daughter had it, and that's when I became aware of the disorder. I have Hashimotos, which is also an autoimmune thyroid disease. With that, comes the opposite issues of Graves; hypothyroidism. I always joked that I wish if I have to have a thyroid disorder, that it was Graves......because with being hyperthyroid, comes weight loss But it's just a joke......because the issues of Graves disease can be very serious. I hope your DIL has a good doctor, and gets the proper course of therapy to get it under control. An endocrinologist would be the best option.

Thanks, rkimom. I'm going to go back in a month or two, to have the thyroid rechecked. I switched Vitamins this past week (dumped the gummies), and have been making a concerted effort to make room for some fresh veggies at lunch & dinner. Also - more fruit. I don't drink many Protein shakes, because I cannot stand them. I get plenty of protein and good carbs (mostly from Beans, quinoa and fruit), but the veggies have been an issue. Unless it's tomatoes, onions & mushrooms that I cook into a protein meal, it's a challenge. I would like to have the specialized nutrient blood work done. My concern when doctors use this "specialized" lab, is that what comes after, is a prescription for several supplements; most of which the doctor sells. I went to an eastern/western medical doctor about three years ago, looking for answers on various issues I was having. She did that same blood work, in addition to several other diagnostics. $2,000 later, she prescribed a supplement program that cost close to $500 per month! ALL of which she sold in her office. I just can't go there..... I don't know that my internist would handle this the same way, but in her waiting room, she's got the display case with various bottles of supplements. This time around, I may get the blood work done to see what it shows, but will go elsewhere for the supplements.

Yep, me too. I always have a snack around 8pm, and seem to be fine. Although, if I sleep on a full stomach, I wake up with (what feels like) a hangover. It's not band related; more from my body having to work so hard to digest food, while it's supposed to be resting and restoring.

I'm also curious to know what issues you had, when you ate something after 6pm.

Did they check you for gallstones?

My surgeon felt the bypass was a good option for me. Not because of the reflux, but because the success rate is higher. Overall, he's not a huge fan of the band, though he was trained prior to it's release in 2001, and has been performing the surgery ever since. He has trained dozens of surgeons, and has been doing bariatric surgery for many years. For the most part, his issue with the band is the lower success rate, and the ongoing care and issues banded patients are more prone to. But he is cautious, and proactive if anything even hints of an issue. I would hope that jk's surgeon is top rate, and has HER best interest at heart.

PS: Regarding some of the comments telling you not to get the band because your issues will get worse..... There are many whose reflux actually improves or resolves, once they lose weight. Again, I think it's best that you work this out with your doctor, and also do your own research.

At the end of the day, your doctor is the one to best guide you. There is a lot of good support and info on this site, but no one here that I've seen is a bariatric surgeon. Follow his/her guidance, and if you're not totally comfortable with what you're told, a second opinion may be helpful. It's a big step no matter which way you decide to go, so make sure you've done ALL of the necessary research, to make sure you move in the best direction for you.

Please let me know the outcome. I'm interested to know.....

I've tried numerous Protein powders/shakes, and the only one I can tolerate on a regular basis, is the Premier chocolate ready made shakes. I keep several in the fridge at all times. If I'm having a low protein food day, I'll drink 1/2 of one; maybe a whole one. Still don't love them, but it's the only one that doesn't gross me out. Just this week, I picked up some egg white protein powder - chocolate. I blended it with 1 cup of frozen raspberries, 1/2 small banana, and 8oz of unsweetened almond milk. It was pretty good!

All of this info is worrisome to me. I'm afraid that with my reflux issue, something is going to bite me in the ass down the road. Is the motility test different than the upper GI swallow? I'm seeing my surgeon on the 17th for a TNE, so he can go down and see what's going on in my throat, esophagus, and stomach. He is looking to see if the acid is causing any issues. I'm doing SO well with the band, I would really hate to have it taken out. That's not even a discussion for any reason at this time, but from what I'm reading here, it sounds like a possibility down the road. If it comes, I just hope I'm at goal! Once there, I honestly believe that I can maintain it on my own. I'm way too old to put myself through this again.

Have you tried putting the unflavored Protein Powder in something like V-8 juice? Post-op, I was so sick of the sweet Protein Shakes, I thought I would puke if I took a sip of one more So I started putting the Protein in V-8 juice, and it saved me. Is cottage cheese allowed on the post-op diet phase you're on? It's considered soft/mushy food. It you are not there yet, call your doctor to discuss options. I totally get ya on the sweet Protein Drinks. Even now, more than 4 months post-op, it's rare that I can drink a whole one. They still disgust me, so I work to get all my protein grams in with food. Good luck. This is the most difficult part of the journey, but once you're past it, things get a lot better.

I had bad reflux before surgery, and it's very bad AFTER surgery. Prior to the procedure, my surgeon told me that he can do something to help with the reflux, which was to repair a hernia. He also said that the plication should help. I had hoped that the issue would resolve, but some days I think it's worse than before. I went back on Omeprozole this past week; 40mg per day. I don't like taking it, because it blocks the absorption of Calcium and some B Vitamins. On the other hand, I'm not up for throat cancer, either. Regarding bypass over band, you just have to be psychologically ready for what comes along with that surgery. It's not reversible, and the malabsorption issues can bring on other issues. I was scheduled to have that done initially, but freaked out and cancelled it. I've known two people who had their Iron levels drop dangerously low; so much so, that they had to have daily IV infusion of the mineral into their system. Even so, it's been a challenge getting the levels back up. Scary stuff! I'm sure you will make the best decision for yourself. It's not an easy one, but look at ALL of the data on the surgeries, taking into consideration your specific health issues. Good luck to you......

Have you discussed this with your doctor? That's a long time to have those issues, and your doctor should be able to work through it with you. That being said..... I've noticed that I get stomach aches when I drink coffee on an empty stomach. I already have an acid issue, and that seems to put me over the edge. As far as nausea, I do feel it intermittently. I can't really say what triggers it, but I just feel grossed out at the thought of a Protein shake, or solid food. For me, I wake up with it, but it doesn't happen every day. I hope you get some good answers, and that you're able to resolve this sooner than later.......

That's exactly how I was; excitement being the strongest emotion. I never thought about cancelling, though, because I took a long time to make my decision. I was at my wits end with my increasing weight, and knew that I had to take serious action. Please let us know how you're doing after the 15th! VERY exciting!!

I had 7cc's in my 10cc band. That was after only two fills. I'm able to gulp Water (for the most part), and the bites of food I take aren't tiny. I've never gotten stuck, and if it weren't for the plication, feel that I could eat more than I'm physically able (sliders are another story). I went for a 3rd fill this week, and asked for only .25cc. The nurse didn't think that I needed the fill, because I dropped another three pounds since I'd been there three weeks prior. I just felt that I wasn't quite in that all illusive green zone, so she gave me the fill. Now I have 7.2-ish cc's in my band, and I'm sure as I move forward, will increase the amount of Fluid. From what I've heard, how many cc's a person needs, is also dependent on how much fat, or how big they are in that area of their stomach. If someone is smaller inside, it takes more fluid to constrict. I'm sure there are other variables, but you just have to listen to your body. Don't forget, you've lost a lot of weight already, and you're not going to continue losing at the same rate that you did in the beginning. I've been stuck at the same number for two weeks, so I stopped weighing myself; TOO annoying. One other thing..... It is also VERY clear that when I eat high dense Protein meals, I'm satisfied for much longer, and on less food. Are you sticking to that band rule, or are some of your meals higher in carbs? Just a thought.....

Carol - this thread is a different subject matter than what you're asking. You will get a lot more responses on your question, if you post it on a separate thread.

I've had three major surgeries, including my banded plication, gallbladder, hernia repair combo surgery. I was given a spirometer after each surgery, and told that it was to help keep my lungs clear, to avoid pneumonia. I was instructed to use it once an hour for a full week. After my band surgery it was painful, because I had a hard time breathing for a good 2-3 weeks.

Interesting that you say you could feel something happening around in there. I didn't have any immediate sensation at the time of my first two fills. The first one added 3.2 cc's to the 3 that were already in there from surgery. The second fill took it up to an even 7. The one I just had this week was only .25, which was perfect for a band to the fullness mine is. But with this last fill, when she pulled all of the Fluid out, I actually felt the band loosen......like a sense of taking off a tight belt and feeling relief. It was an odd sensation, and really illustrated just how much the band constricts that area of our stomach.

I would call your doctor and explain what is happening. It does sound like you're a bit too tight, but if your last fill was close to a month ago, and you haven't had this problem until today, it's best to rule out anything other than a band that's too tight. Please let us know.....and I hope you feel better soon.

Jim - love your new picture. Very dapper

Tara - yes, good advice. I'm going to call her tomorrow. I can't deal with this!

rkimom - were you taking supplements the whole 16 months before you started having those issues? If so, please let me know what you WERE taking. I have many concerns right now; the biggest one being my loss of focus and brain power. I'm starting to think that I have some sort of brain tumor, but I know that can't be it. My internist wanted to do the specialized nutrient testing, but I wanted to wait. After reading your post, I'm starting to rethink my decision. Seriously, I'm having a difficult time making 2+2=4, and I do accounting for a living!! As funny as that sounds, I'm really nervous about this. It took me a long time to build my business, and I can't sustain it without a brain!!

WOW - that's fabulous.....congrats! Yep, the band is doing what it's supposed to do I went off my blood pressure meds after the first 25 pounds came off. Very happy about that! I'm going to have my cholesterol and blood sugar checked, to see if those numbers dropped as well. I would almost bet the house that they did