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Thank you very much Gamergirl. Yes it will be tricky to adhere to such a diet but I have to try, probiotics, green superfood powder, flaxseed, coconut oil, protein shakes, sardines in olive oil, tuna, and as many greens as I can get at the difac plus ots of green tea even though I HATE green tea, blechhh. But I have to try, having been recently diagnosed with an autoimmune disease.

Hi I posted earlier about celiac and pain etc... I am 5 years post-op RNY and for over a year have been searching for answers to my physical symptoms and have seen many specialists and my bariatric group to no avail. I am trying to pinpoint things as specifically as possible so that an answer or diagnosis can finally happen and wondered if I had any company out there with similar symptoms. After I eat, doesn't matter what but after I eat a meal I start feeling ill, not like stomachache but like a virus or actually kind of like a Mono kind of feeling. It starts with a low grade fever usually 99.5 and then it starts to go down. I'm not having a hot flash that I know if because no sweating is involved it's just a feeling of being ill. I usually get a headache along with this and sometimes my throat is sore or irritated. I'm usually fatigued most of the day and that's probably the most annoying part of all of this. I was tested for Lyme and Parvovirus and they were negative and for Epstein Barr and it's in my system but not active for whatever that's worth! Don't recall ever having mono but that's how it feels to me now. I've recently seen an allergist, negative, had a colonoscopy and endoscopy and they did find some irritations or ulcers in the lower intestine where it connects to the new pouch and biopsied six of them for cancer and Celiac and also with the blood test and that was negative. I've seen so many specialists, including hematologist, neurologists, and rheumatologist and nothing. I haven't seen an actually immunologist as of yet but am starting to feel like it must be some type of autoimmune disorder. I've felt like completely giving up as it's such a difficult thing to diagnose and some doctors have been wonderful but unfortunately when you see the bad ones they tend to stand out more and knock you down making you feel like an crazy menopausal hypochondriac which if it were all in my head right now put me away forever because life as it is now is not pleasant! Also having an autoimmune disorder mixed in with RNY must also make it more difficult to diagnose at least this is what I'm finding out, I'm just pooped out in all directions! Anyway anyone have or know of anything similar please let me know, Brandy.

I'm 50 an have multiple autoimmune diseases. ..the benefits outweighs the risk! Best decision or should I say one of the best I have made for myself. I had 2 specialist refer me to surgeon. My weight was not going anywhere but up up up! I am 9 wks it An 60 down...its hard first month I'm not going to lie. My surgeon told me if u can make it thru first 4 wks you'll be good..he was right. I struggled a lot..mentally emotionally. .but I worked thru it..I did this for me my health. I didn't tell my family. I have thought about this for 15 yrs..it was time for me to get my life back. So I took control. .maybe u have tried to help them understand this is for your health I'm sure..it's a complete lifestyle change an I would just have to say they can be on board an help an support or well...I'll let you fill that in..lol... hang in there! I wish u the best!! Keep us posted!!

Am I the oldest? I'm 73 and will hopefully have the sleeve done in Feb. My story is similar to everyone's: yo-yoed my entire adult life, losing and gaining overweight but not obese. Nine years ago I developed an autoimmune disease which is controlled by steroids. Long term steroid therapy is like having another disease. Besides potential diabetes, increased risk of infection (thankfully I have not developed), what affects weight is increased appetite, slower metabolism, and redistribution of weight (belly fat). For the past eight years I have been well over 225 lb and it is next to impossible to lose. I also have high blood pressure and sleep apnea. My PCP and Hematologist as well as other Drs feel that I am a good candidate for the sleeve. My goal is to obviously lose weight but also to have a tool for me to eat less for the rest of my life.I want to be able to get down on the floor to play with my grandchildren, have energy for my passions and to take a brisk walk. In short I want quality of life for whatever years I have left.I have completed all the requirements and am waiting to be scheduled. I have researched alot about bariatric surgery really enjoy reading these posts. I am especially impressed that so many of you have exceeded your weight loss goals. I anticipate that I will be a slow loser due to my age and the steroids but I am prepared and committed for the journey.

I am still pre op. too. in fact, I start my 3 month medical weight management on Tues. I began on my own though this past week. I am currently taking daily steroids for autoimmune disease and I am starving from sun up to sun down. Here's my thoughts on my last big grocery shopping last week. When shopping healthy, you pay more for convenience. Meaning the less you have to do when you get the food home to consume it. I still had to get the little things for my Autistic texture sensitive 9 yr old that I don't eat or drink. But, I bought the bulk boneless skinless fresh chicken breast package ( i get 8 big chicken breasts in it) and a ton of veggies and some fruits. When I got it home, I put each chicken breast into a freezer bag and put them into the freezer. Now, We generally eat more than a chicken breast between the three of us, but I've found that by freezing them individually, they thaw quicker. Which in my house can be interpretted as one less excuse to just get fast food. They are thawed in time to make for dinner. The veggies and fruits, I immediatly started washing, chopping (or tearing for the greens) and putting in variety of sized baggies, For example, a head of lettuce cost me under $1. By washing and tearing it up myself, I had a very stuffed gallon sized baggie full of lettuce ready to go. I tuck a paper towel in with it to keep it fresh longer. But, Our fave bagged salad is $3.88 per bag and you get half the amt. I got a bunch of celery. I washed it, and tore off all of the leaves and put them in a baggie in the fridge. The stalks, I made nice thin match sticks out of. Those I put into snack sized baggies. I probably made 12-16 snack size baggies of celery sticks. Same with the seedless grapes. I washed, plucked and scooped half cup size portions into snack baggies. I washed and chopped up two heads of cauliflower. I LOVE roasted cauliflower. I just toss a bunch of popcorn sized florets onto a cookie sheet. spray them lightly with some cooking spray and sprinkle them with dried italian seasoning. I bake until they brown just a bit. Anyways, same with the cucumbers, berries, zucchini, broccoli, and squash, etc. I spent less and did more prep at home, but as my Granny often says " I've got more time than money". LOL. It stretched my same grocery bill with same spending into what is now grab and go healthy food. We typically eat fast food or the likes of fast food 3x per week. Between my health issues and my special needs child's issues and therapy schedules, it's just become a way of life. We haven't eaten out since last Sunday. And we haven't gone without either. You'll have to factor in Protein shakes for your future. My husband is a work out nut. Seriously goes to the gym 7 days a week, plus runs. He goes thru a lot of Protein Shakes. But, I'd guess he spends about $40-$50 a month on the big things of Protein powder. I plan on saving that money for myself every week just by skipping the fast foods and the cokes or dr peppers here and there. I hope this helps a little.

I’ve lost a significant amount of hair from sleeve, bypass and autoimmune disease. Nothing has helped so far. Biotin is great to try and keep existing hair healthy but I’ve never read anything that says it helps with hair loss. As your weight and diet stabilize it will come back. I’ve been told 9-12 months

I had the gastric sleeve on Monday . . . . everything went great. I originally was looking into lap band but due to autoimmune disease the drs discouraged it and also told me I made the right decision because they're having lots of "issues" with the LapBand. I think the sleeve is the way to go!

For what it's worth, autoimmune disease is nothing like having a shot immune system. Sorry you are having such trouble @@abenamati!

Thank you all for responding. More info as I left it out by mistake; about a month after I balanced out on my weight loss of 96lbs (7 months after surgery) the symptoms first began with joint swelling and pain. I was being looked at for Autoimmune issues then. That was the first time RA was suggested by Dr.'s. Lymes was ruled out then. As I was supposed to be tested for RA and or other disorders, I found out I was pregnant. I stopped that avenue of testing and put all focus on the baby. Through my pregnancy all symptoms went away and I felt great. For two months before the pregnancy I had my right knee joint drained twice and my hands and fingers were so swollen and painful that I could barely use them. During the pregnancy it was as if I never had an issue. Two weeks after he was born when my hormones were rushing back in place (and all over, lol) the symptoms returned and ten times worse. Could it be hormone driven? These disorders do not run in my family. Could I have had it my whole life but never knew it because it was dormant until the drastic weigh loss? It just seems so coincidental after the surgery, then gallbladder, then it "started", stopped and turned up again after I gave birth.

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.

Yeah same here, it was still newish. And I wasn't crazy about having part of my stomach sent to the incinerator. And I was against RNY for years because I didn't think I would be a candidate for it due to autoimmune disease, but now my Rheumy says oh no go for it. So I'm diving in head first soon.

How low is low? Normal platelet counts are between 150 and 450 (thousand); a 130 is not something to be concerned about and can be within the normal variation of human condition (like some people run a temperature of 96.5 and some are at 100.4). A platelet count below 100 is concerning, below 50 is very concerning, and below 20 is critical. It may be a temporary dip due to other conditions, or it could be ITP (idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura) which is caused by an autoimmune tagging of your platelets and destruction by your spleen. ITPhappens for no known reason which is why it's called idiopathic. There are many more things that can cause low platelet count, and your doctor should explore which are likely for you. Your doctor will know how to figure this out, meanwhile don't stress yourself out by worrying too much. I hope it's something simple and eases your mind.

Hi Fellow Bandsters, BOY OH BOY… I believe “they” consider patients like me “veterans of the band”. I was promised all kinds of great outcomes prior to getting this procedure in March 2008 (7 years & 4 months ago), however I have developed one too many conditions/symptoms as a result of this device being inside of me for the better part of a decade, and always blamed it on something other than the band. They never spoke of complications and I am the type to do as I am told… dieting, portion control and exercise! I am in the medical field and have a PhD in Biomedical and Laboratory Sciences (Pathology/Lab Medicine… always worked in hospitals/healthcare). I currently work as a Clinical Research Scientist in Cancer research and we are doing our best to find THAT cure. However, the cure for weight loss seems unimaginable for the overweight population, especially the patients who have a failed lap-band surgery. I still have my band but am scheduled to have the band removed next week, 7/30/15 (my personal Independence Day). The band was not for me since the first follow-up visit after placing the band. The PA bent the needle attempting to add saline into the port from scar tissue (YEARS AGO) and three staff members were now inside the room during this. With all the scar tissue to get through already… it hurt me very badly and I was "turned off" from future fills!!! I never had another attempted fill after this from fear, and never had a successful fill since having it placed at all. I had signs and symptoms the entire time, but life got in the way! I had too many things going on in my personal life and the years seemed to fly by… but not because I was having fun! For almost 8 years I have experienced; nausea, vomiting, migraines, constant low grade fevers, joint pain, gallbladder removal in 2009 (no stones), elevated liver enzymes (ALT/AST), enlarged spleen, elevated CRP, "dumping syndrome", inflammation throughout my body especially my stomach, abnormal blood counts and chemistry, unable to pass certain foods from esophagus to stomach, autoimmune disease soon developed (new meds to take), uncomfortable in my own body, weakness/fatigue, acid reflux, back/neck pain, constipation/diarrhea (to name a few). I also have device related complications such as; port pain with and without pressure being applied, infection at the port, unable to stand up straight/reach up/stretch backwards, and always protecting my stomach from the outside world from fear of it being bumped. I am in a place where I have health insurance AND time for removal/surgery at the same time so I went to the docs and insurance denied... three times! I spoke to my surgeon directly after the denials (not the same doc that installed the band) and I am meeting him in the ED on the night of July 29th to have the band removed on the morning of the 30th. We are making this a medical emergency so insurance will cover the charges, which would have been approx $8,000 if this would have been a "self-pay" situation. It is bad enough that Allergen would not provide compensation for the $250 surgeon consult prior to seeing ANY doctor. I do not know this surgeon and just recently moved this state 7 months ago… no special privileges for being in the same field… just a good idea of how insurance works! Doc saw how my quality of life has suffered from my medical records and wants to help me, and I pay for health insurance for a reason (regardless of their ridiculous exclusions for bariatric related surgeries, a medical emergency is always covered). I am excited and scared for surgery next week, but will be sure to keep everyone informed of my progress after surgery, and as the weeks roll on. I truly hope to speak to other patients in my position and be available in any way that I can, especially helping if you feel you have run out of options or need help interpreting test results. In the meantime, could anyone shed some light on side effects of having band removed in patients 8+ years out (how do you feel, how is your stomach/scars), what to eat after surgery/for how long, how long were you out of work, and best ways to stay healthy since having this piece of **** removed! In Heath, A

@@parisshel Hello and thank you for responding to my post. I will be sure to keep you posted on the life after removal. I truly hope that most of my symptoms are resolved once this is removed as well. I have MS as well and from what I was researching I should have never had this band in the first place due to toxicity with autoimmune diseases. Fibromyalgia was diagnosed about 1 year after placing the band. I am hoping I will be able to simply diet and exercise on my own without the use of medical intervention. @@Dibaby44 Thank you for responding to my post as well. I bet you are starting to feel amazing since having the band removed 4 weeks ago. It is GREAT to hear from another patient with similar symptoms as my own... rather than hearing it from a healthcare professional that never had the surgery/symptoms themselves. The support is truly appreciated!!!! My legs just recently started becoming easily inflammed and I knew it was time to get this thing out. I am getting it removed on a Thursday and hope to be back at work on Monday... is this too soon? The doctor said yes, but HE is not a SHE and never had bariatric surgery before. Outside of going to work, I am bed-bound most of the time. I did walk on treadmill for about 30 minutes on Sunday and Monday, however I am paying for it now and had another moderate fever yesterday with hot flashes/red face and cold skin. People saw me yesterday and said that I do not look well so that really sucks too. Also my joints hurt AGAIN and muscles are stiff. Over the last few years, I have learned that the only thing that will help my symptoms from exacerbating is to lay completely still in my bed, lights off, and not to move. My brain says "let's go" and my body says "hell no"!!! I was tired of lying about my condition so I could keep up with other people my own age, but I have come to realize that I was only hurting myself! Although nobody wants to hear you complain, I was also giving people the impression something else was wrong with me... a possible mental problem or a drug issue. I tend to push people away when I start experiencing these symptoms and I never would go out to eat at work-related functions. If I did not say something than people would start assuming things about me because I am always sick. I live in a very well-known drug addicted community so it was important for me to start sharing my battle and avoid the judgments from the get-go. How are you feeling today? What blood tests are they running for you post removal? Congratulations on loosing 33 lbs and getting rid of the old baggage (the band)... you should feel GREAT about yourself and all of your hard work! This life is hard enough, let alone being overweight, and let alone having complication from weight loss surgery. I am tired of hearing myself complain and used to be such a hardworking person... I find it hard to concentrate and physically/mentally keep up with anything. Has your lupus/RA gotten better (symptoms associated). How long were you banded? I look forward to hearing back from you and hope everyday is getting easier for you! Chat soon...

Hello, I'm Kim Harris and I've had the band since early 2010. Althouh I loat weight, I've had nothing but problems from the get-go. A year and a half ago I was diagnosed with a Sjogrens, an autoimmune disease similar to lupus, which causes joint pain and fatigue 24/7. I just received word today from my surgeon that insurance has approved the removal of my band. I am praying that removing the band improve my health with respect to my autoimmune condition. I considered having a revision to a gastrectomy but metal staples would be yet another foreign object permanently placed in my body for my body to reject and continue the autoimmune response. When I saw your poat about how you had just had your band removed and you feel so much better (and weight loss on top of it) I had to ask what you were feeling and problems you were having that prompted the removal of your band? And did you have any revision surgery? I'm wanting to know if there are others who developed autoimmune conditions after lapband placement, and if they chose to have the band removed, did it improve their autoimmune symptoms/conditions? Thank you for sharing your post-op improvement; it gives me hope that I haven't had for many months now. I wish you continued improvement in your health. I am interested in knowing what problems yiu experienced with the band and what has improved thus far. I'm new to this site, so if you have posted this info elsewhere, I would appreciate a link. And by the way, my daughter in law works for an attorney and we were juat discussing this very topic yesterday of lap band compllications and how they are so hard to prove for a jury to actually have enough concrete information to find in favor of a patient. Her attorneys won't even look at medical cases unless there has been loss of limb or life. So, don't be too optimistic on finding an attorney for lap band complications (I have no idea what your situation is; you may have something an attorney would consider.) Kim

Hi, pretty Juli - Thanks for your response. I should know better than to make ambiguous, melodramatic statements like I did, as if everyone here knows my story. Let me explain a bit. I hope this doesn't come across as defensive or even more melodramatic! I moved home from FL eight years ago, which was 6 months after my Dad's heart attack. He had heart bypass surgery just a few months after I moved to Columbus. Since that time, I've witnessed my precious Dad be diagnosed with one obesity-related disease after another, and observe as he suffers through each day and is hospitalized about once per month. My Dad has heart disease, type-2 diabetes, inflammed/fatty liver, obstructive sleep apnea, congestive heart failure, hypertension, high cholesterol, and depression/anxiety. My Dad is only 61 years old. As for me, my body has already failed me once. I have (had?!) Graves Disease, which is autoimmune hyperthryoidism (dx Nov 2002.) I went through three years of roller-coaster riding on meds (cycling back and forth between hyper and hypo, with occassional moments of bliss in a 'euthyroid'/normal state.) When I started to experience the eye symptoms that often accompany Graves (e.g., they started to bug out of my head), I elected to have a total thyroidectomy. Well, it's a good thing I had the surgery because there were two little secret microcarcinomas that only God knew were there. I had thyroid cancer, but it was stage 1 and the thyroidectomy is the treatment for that. Thyroid disease has been a real strike against me in the weight management department. I've gained about 10# every year since I was first diagnosed with Graves. I can very clearly see my future in my Father's struggles. I have hypertension, anxiety/depression, high cholesterol, and a fatty liver already... and as of last week I have added obstructive sleep apnea to my resume'. I don't want to have to continue living with this burden... with this daily fear of what comes next for me health-wise. I am only 38 years old, and I long to be as active -- and as 'at peace' with my health -- as I was before Graves. (I ran a 5k race every weekend when I lived in Orlando!) I view the LB as the tool that will help me to regain my health and avoid 'the family curse.' I don't feel like I'm viewing it as 'the diet of the month,' but I'll talk to my LB program psychologist about that just in case. I know that life will always throw me curve balls, like you said. I long for the day when I can confront them without the added burden of being 'a sick person.' Thanks again for your response and for the opportunity to explain my melodramatic statements a little better. Y'all will probably be hearing a lot more from me in the weeks to come. I've failed my first month of the pre-op program miserably, but I'm renewing my focus now and 'using my resources' to stay focused. I really think/hope that starting to use the CPAP machine will help improve my frame of mind and this dark spiral of anxiety/depression that I've found myself in lately. :thumbup:

@@Amurillo04, you've got a lot on your plate. And you have some very significant issues not related to whether or not you have WLS. First, whether or not you take an antidepressant, and which one, is NOT up to your mother! It's up to you and your psychiatrist. Second, if you are not currently in therapy, I heartily recommend finding a therapist that uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy - these are techniques you can learn to handle stressful situations so that they don't spiral out of control. Third, if you are not seeing a specialist about your psoriasis, you need to. Psorisis often has an autoimmune component and a specialist needs to work with you on this. These things need to be dealt with BEFORE you have any life-changing surgery. Why? Because having the surgery itself is stressful. You need to know what medications work for you for both the psoriasis and the depression before surgery. You need some tools to use in order to work your way through the immediate postop period. You've got a lot going on and I really, really hope you are able to get the help you both need and deserve for it all. Good luck to you.

Hello, I'm Kim Harris and I've had the band since early 2010. Althouh I loat weight, I've had nothing but problems from the get-go. A year and a half ago I was diagnosed with a Sjogrens, an autoimmune disease similar to lupus, which causes joint pain and fatigue 24/7. I just received word today from my surgeon that insurance has approved the removal of my band. I am praying that removing the band improve my health with respect to my autoimmune condition. I considered having a revision to a gastrectomy but metal staples would be yet another foreign object permanently placed in my body for my body to reject and continue the autoimmune response. When I saw your poat about how you had just had your band removed and you feel so much better (and weight loss on top of it) I had to ask what you were feeling and problems you were having that prompted the removal of your band? And did you have any revision surgery? I'm wanting to know if there are others who developed autoimmune conditions after lapband placement, and if they chose to have the band removed, did it improve their autoimmune symptoms/conditions? Thank you for sharing your post-op improvement; it gives me hope that I haven't had for many months now. I wish you continued improvement in your health. I am interested in knowing what problems yiu experienced with the band and what has improved thus far. I'm new to this site, so if you have posted this info elsewhere, I would appreciate a link. And by the way, my daughter in law works for an attorney and we were juat discussing this very topic yesterday of lap band compllications and how they are so hard to prove for a jury to actually have enough concrete information to find in favor of a patient. Her attorneys won't even look at medical cases unless there has been loss of limb or life. So, don't be too optimistic on finding an attorney for lap band complications (I have no idea what your situation is; you may have something an attorney would consider.) Kim

I have ms and fibro. So fatigue and pain are my norm.... But 4 months post op and I can say my energy is getting better and my joints are near as painful as they were pre op. Also I have noticed my migraines have occurred less frequently. Which is a true blessing. I am wondering if there is a way to get a forum dedicated to autoimmune sleevers. That way we can have a place to discuss the sleeve and how it has interacted with our autoimmune disease. I see a lot with RA, psoriatic arthritis, lupus, fibro, and a few with MS, and I think it would be a great place for us to share stories, tips, successes, ect. Does anyone know how we would request that?

Hi, I am curious to know too. I currently have the lapband (since 2008) but seeking revision to sleeve. I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease last year. Good luck on your journey!

Because Crohn's is an autoimmune disease, it is contraindicated with the band. This being said, I have systemic Lupus, which is also an autoimmune disease and I have been banded twice with no major issues due to the autoimmune disease. I think you'll find a difference in each doctor's opinions about this, so one may say no, the other may say yes. Depending on the severity of the Crohn's, it may be worth the risk to you.. or not.. Leatha

Ok folks, I think Bubblebutt has some good points, as do the rest of you. There is a phenomenon in marketing that is known as post purchase rationalization, which describes buyer behaviour after having invested a great deal of time, money and or emotion in a purchase decision. Its why, when you ask someone how they like the new car they just bought, they will invariably always say they 'love it.' Does that mean then that all the posts we read here, where people have had good experiences with one doc or another are invalid as sources of information. NO. Those who have posted that each of us needs to do our own research, figure out what's the most important to us and make a decision that feels good for us, as thinking and feeling beings, are right. This is not a popularity contest, or club. We all know, if we're honest with ourselves that this is a highly competitive market! It is big business and no matter how good a surgeon is, technically, the communication of that expertise is bound to be difficult. If we as patients seek to reduce our 'risk' to our health and longevity, I believe we cannot get stuck in the stats. It is a well known maxim in the business world that figures can lie. Let's get past the numbers and really look at what matters- the quality of overall care which plays a huge role in final outcomes - probably much bigger than who has done the most surgeries, has the lowest complications rates etc. Remember that complication rates can be easily 'adjusted 'by docs who simply only take low risk patients. I have an autoimmune disorder- I am probably at a higher risk of having an erosion - I don't really know, but I imagine there are some of us walking around with risk factors we don't even know about ( I found out after my lap-band surgery!) Should docs refuse to take us on because we'll afect their stats? BUt here's the thing that I think is really useful- when one reads on the forum that someone has had a problem with their doc and they do post it, it means that they've had to swallow their pride, and say, oops, perhaps I chose poorly. Perhaps the criteria I used weren't the ones I should have focussed so heavily on. I made a mistake and I am willing to admit that so others might be smarter than I was. (I did that in other posts - I focussed on the numbers. I became a number.) I am not pro any particular doc, but I am now unimpressed with docs who rest on their laurels or their 'numbers' and consider that "follow-up is not cost effective." I've written on these boards positively about a doc that wasn't mine because I got follow up from his team, even though I , at the last minute, opted for their competitor. There is a philosophy of patient care there that I admire. so lets take it back to what this is really about - let's have a discussion about what factors one really should consider seriously when one is choosinga lap-band surgeon and his/her practice. I didn't get into this for the short term. I expect to have this lap band for the next 10-15 years of my life - possibly to replace it with a new one then... I wonder - are there any Mx patients reading these boards who were banded 3 or 4 or 10 years ago? What, in retrospect are the important things to consider? I've said it elsewhere. This is not brain surgery and it is a relatively simple procedure. Sure it can be botched, but most of the Mx docs have enough experiene to do this thing in their sleep. That's what puts into into the 'commodity' category and as consumers, we need to look at the other supporting stuff that comes with the surgeon whose skills we are purchasing..... that's enough for now....

I have lupus, fibromyalgia, sjogrens and alot more great autoimmune problems and neither my surgeon or my Dr have said that I have to stop my Plaquenel at any point before surgery.. Only the day of surgery.. I know how you feel cause it took my Dr two years to figure out my medication regimen that would work for me and help with the pain.. I hope you get through this cause I feel your pain!! Gd luck.. Sent from my SPH-D710 using VST

I am so sorry to hear that you are going thru this right now. I have only been coming to the board a short while and will be banded on Sept 22. I have walked the land of uncertanty with my health and at 28 was unable to function more then a few hours a day. I suffered head to toe body pain and sever headaches and fatigue along with daily fevers, yes a fever everyday for 2 yrs. Well thru this process I learned a few things: 1) Never be afraid to question a Dr. opinion. 2) Listen to what your instinct is telling you. 3) Never except and "I dont know" Search until you hear the words "We found out what is wrong with your. 4) Always give yourself permission to react the way you need to. Dont let others decide your response to your situation. After 3yrs, 3 Rheumatologist, 1 Infectiouse disease Dr, 1 pain DR and getting a new family Doctor. After 3yrs of being looked at like I was crazy and told I was just fat and depressed, I got the answer I had been looking for. Mrs. Lambert we know what is wrong with you "Your Fatiuge is due to Chronic fatigue syndrom, Fibromyalgia and "Oh ya you have a sister sickness to Lupus and it is called Sjogren's syndrome". This is an autoimmune disorder. If I remember right Lupus patients can have Pericardidits, Vasculitis, Kidney and liver problems. It basicly can effect your whole body. A great resourse to learn about Auto Immune disorders is Web MD. THey dont have individual message board for each Auto Immune disorder so people with just about every kind of AI disorder go there. When the DR thought it was in my head, the people on that board keep me from loosing my mind. I am now on an Anti malarial med used for Auto Immune disorders called Plaquinel. Aften they use high doses of prednisone for AI disorders. One thing that just came to mind was my step grandmother has temporal arthritis and she was miss diagnosed over a year ago with Vasculitis and now she is loosing her sight. Make sure if you have any doute that they have the right diagnosis that you ask to see another Dr even if it is just another Dr at the same facility. I ended going to Brigham and Womens hospital in Boston Mass. It took me 3 yrs but I now have the answers to my puzzle and am well enough to work again which I could not do for 2 yrs. Sorry if this got kind of long or became about me. I didn't mean it that way. Just dont give up and keep your chin pointed high..... For

wow...I have read the comments and I tend to agree ...I have a question or 2 IF you dont mind me asking or sharing I dont want to get into others business but since this is a learning question/answer support forum Im diving in...you can either answer honestly or just say its none of my or our business..1. you mentioned you have PCOS. I do have a niece with this also..it does an can contribute to the weight issue alot bc its hormonal. are you seeing a gyn or endocrinologists for this or being treated? and are they referring you to a WLS to have this done? have they mentioned maybe having a hysterectomy to remove/resolve this hormonal issue an then take supplimental hormones in replace of the ovaries? Is your dr treating this with bc pills..etc? Im sorry..I dont mean to pry...theres reasons why I am asking. I had PCOS from a very young age...I started gaining weight at 17...used bc pills several yrs..it took me a yr an half to get pregnant with both of my kids. I started getting soo sick in my mid 20s. Im over 50 now. I have had my share of yrs of yo yo if you wanna call it dieting..the more I dieted the bigger I got. my weight was up an down over 30 yrs. yrs ago when I reached 200 I had myself convinced I still looked good. but my body was breaking down fast. I didnt think I looked bad. I had a total hysterectomy in my middle 30s. then menapause them issues...then I couldnt hardly move joints, stiffness etc...15 yrs down the road I had developed over 12 differant dx...autoimmune disease, thyroid disease etx..now thyroid med for rest of my life.....2. is this not YOUR choice to have this WLS bc if not Im kinda confused of why your here? Im not being mean or judging just trying to help you ...with the top 2 issues you mentioned to begin with I get the idea it almost sounds like your limitaton of amount of food you would be able to eat BOTHERS you or you use food as a security blanket which most ppl do but there is also underlyning reasons WHY ppl eat an thats to calm oursleves down with comfort...but yet you made another comment you dont eat MASSIVE amounts...am I missing something here? and I have heard of plus size women wanting to stay plus size not only for their security blanket AND their hubs security. (not saying this is you guys) but let me tell ya something from my journey..I agree with others..I had myself convinced I wasnt that over weight for yrs! it was ok...this past yr I put on 50 pds from not eating what I thought wasnt much calories...WRONG!!!! I was brainwashed..I did it to myself..but I had to make my own personal desision I didnt ask my hubs or worry about him..this was MY health at severe risk an obese WILL cause BAD health issues if you dont have them now it will happen. I woke up one day an said IM DONE! NOT carrying around this FAT suit any more. trying clothes on was exhausting! clothes getting from 1x to 2x almost to a 3x..yes I was 100+ over weight! I am 5 months out an over 80 pds down now..I thought I knew myself. boy was I wrong..I am seeing my true self for the first time in my life. an I am loving it. I had been thru 10 yrs of therapy (talk therapy) I got to the underlyning issues..I knew it was my time and ready. you MUST be READY for YOU an NO ONE ELSE. an as far as loose skin..hell yea it might happen. but to me I told the hubs listen if I am doing this an I need a little help with some parts you bet Im having it done. thats not my worry for now. later I'll deal with it...one step at a time. but ya know, I want to be around to live with my hubs for as long as possible. this is your decision be absolutly sure going in ..if its others steering you here then it sounds like its something you dont really want. I made up my mind an with 5 months out I eat sensible I use the myfitnesspal an for my stomach size I do fine. I dont NEED food for comfort anymore. I eat to live not live to eat. plz dont get offended thats not my goal. best wishes hope you make the right choice for you an you only...but until you get the PCOS an hormones starightened out first an fixed Im not sure if this is right for you ...my thyroid had to be working right in order to have this done an work properly or it would have been useless...I got it addressed an fixed an it works appropriatly now.