QueenCityGal

Regarding AI diseases... anyone have autoimmune thyroid (Hashimoto's)? I have a thyroid that just doesn't work, even with meds and normal TSH/T4 levels. I've also got bad Sjogrens. Both AI's are sending super high antibodies throughout my system causing me extreme pain and inflammation all the time. It's been very hard for me to lose weight on my own, hence I'm in the process of getting surgery scheduled. I'm worried that with such an underactive thyroid, I won't be able to lose even with the sleeve. I'm only on 1300-1500 cals a day now as it is. My surgeon has said that this operation tends to "kick-start" a bad metabolism. I've read that this has most often been the case with many people. I realize every body is different, so I guess I'll either bail or take my chances and go through with it... thoughts anyone? Thanks!

This is something I am worried about. Slow losing, if at all. I am high on the BMI (about 48 because I am short). But I've got a super slow metabolism (bad thyroid even with meds) and I usually consume 1300-1500 cals a day (I've been tracking with Myfitnesspal). The cals I do eat are "good" foods, I don't eat junk or processed foods, trying to keep it under 100gm of carb a day. I space out eating something about every 4 hours. Granted I am more sedentary in my life now (mainly because of a lot of pain), but I can't drop any weight as it is now and I'm really being disciplined. I know if I can drop at least the first 20-30, I can get start to get back on my bike and do other exercising like I used to without being so uncomfortable. After the sleeve, I know calorie consumption will drop to 400-800 or so in the beginning. Which is around half of what I'm doing now. I just don't see how I will lose at a decent pace, if I can't do it now, and this is one thing in my mind that will make me bail on the surgery. Because why should I do something drastic if it's really not going to make a difference? On the other hand, both Caruana and the pharmacist told me that the surgery usually "kick-starts" a bad metabolism and that I should be fine. Thoughts?

Hmm... the link should work, I tested it. Did you click on the red type in my post above? That's the correct link. If you're using your mobile maybe you clicked the wrong thing by accident. Try this instead: http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/groups/show/255-buffalo-and-western-new-york/

Hey guys, ok today I'm extremely bored here at work (trying to keep my mind off of "what's for dinner?!"), and I'm kind of a computer nerd so I was messing around looking at the group feature settings... I made a new "group" on here just for the Buffalo/WNY folks. I was testing it out to see how it worked, and was going to delete it but now it won't let me delete it until there are other members I like to keep my FB separate from anything else I have going on, so maybe this group feature here would be a good way to be a "group" instead of replying to just one long thread (like here), yes? And you wouldn't have to leave this site. I made it public, so I guess anyone can join without an invite. Click here and join the group if you like, and if anyone wants to moderate or own it just let me know and I can change settings. It could be pretty cool.

Hi, I'm kinda new here and have been browsing around a bit, and stumbled on this topic because I'm worried about hair loss as well. So here is some info I learned yesterday from my first surgeon consult, regarding the subject. The in-house pharmacist also discussed this with me. They said that hair loss, if it happens, is typically seen averaging about 3 months out. This is due to inadequate Protein and B Vitamin intake pre- and immediate post-surgery. They said it takes the body about 3 months to "catch up" to a deficiency, and hair loss is a side effect of this. Which makes sense to me, because I've experienced a similar situation first hand with my son who just came out of a very long hospital stay. He had many wounds to heal and became extremely protein deficient because his wounds were just sucking the protein from the rest of his body. His skin was awful and his hair became horrible. He underwent a massive protein supplementation, and we kept getting discouraged by not seeing results right away... but then a few months later out of nowhere his protein levels went up through the roof and he started healing well and everything went back to normal. You might think you're getting enough protein on intake, but it may not be absorbing well. POUND, POUND, POUND the protein whenever you can, take your B's and Biotin. This will help your hair. I'm starting this now, with surgery expected in October. Proasis and Protica products are excellent protein supplements and are well absorbed. My son used these brands' products extensively for over a year and has had awesome results in wound healing. I myself take them on occasion but will be ramping up over the next few weeks. The little Sunkist shots are the most protein bang you can get in a small amount - 25 grams in only 2.5 ounces, and they taste like liquid Jolly Ranchers! I'm hoping those will be easily tolerated post-surgery because I'm stocking up now. Proasis and Protica products are recommended for medical and bariatric use. (Google!) A little expensive but so worth it. I swear by the stuff. (I don't work for them nor am I endorsing them, but when I know a product is good from personal experience, I like to let it be known) I hope this helps!

Thank you! Wow you JUST had it done? Please do share your experiences! I have some good and bad feelings about Synergy, which I will speak of later. I'm probably going to pick your brain as you go along your journey but I promise not to bug too much I was wondering, since many of us WNY-ers are coming out of the woodwork, maybe someone can make a "WNY Group" on here? According to Caruana yesterday, he has "sleeved" more than 400 patients in the area so there's gotta be more of us out there.

Well hello there people! Glad to see there's some Buffalo peeps on here. I just joined up today (after lurking here for a while and reading tons of stuff), because I finally had my surgeon consult and signed my consent papers today. Yay! I'm seeing Dr. Caruana, and he is doing the sleeve which was both my choice and his recommendation. Soooo, now to finish the pre-surgery process (and what a process it is!) and get my insurance auth (which will probably be sometime next month)... in the mean time I'm hunkering down and preparing myself now with eating and behavioral changes so it won't be such a shock afterwards. I'm totally stoked and I can't wait. On that note, I hope to chat with you all going forward and maybe meet up someday for coffee and cake?? Errr... I mean just coffee? Ok... SIPS of coffee??!!? Oh and am I the only one here who is going to really miss having my daily dose of a Timmy's double double??!!? aaaacck!! Cheers (from the Elmwood Strip area)!