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Hat is what I felt like yesterday. It was my 2nd visit with the surgeon. First visit he stopped part way through and bounced me back to gastro due to a liver autoimmune (PBC) issue I have. Cleared by gastro to proceed.... The surgeon is willing to work with me. So had the rest of the visit. Got my checklist for insurance... Luckily most done as I had updated my stress test, sleep apnea, and upper endoscopy all withing he last 8 months.... So just need to get the clearances and test result sent to the surgeon... Easy right.... Well sort of... Gastro, cardiac, and pulmonary faxed things over with a phone call. My internist is a different matter... He won't just send a clearance I have to have a clearance visit with him... Okay I'll play let's set up an appt.... Oh not so fast we need a surgical order. Well I don't have one as a date isn't set as that depends on insurance saying okay but surgeons want this as part of the insurance packet to send... So I called the surgeon and asked them for a surgical request sans date to go to my primary otherwise he wouldn't do a clearance appointment. Their response was that this was the first time that was requested. Y them but they would write up something and talk to my doc to get this done.... So hopefully I can get this schedule at some point. Yes I still have to do a 3 month multidisciplinary weight loss program so have time but I hate homework and just want to get everything done ASAP. Just being frustrated as to having a run around. Okay back to the morning surgeon visit.... A new wrinkle in things.... Due to my past dvts. The surgeon wants me to have a filter put in??? Don't have my folder as I type this so don't remember the acronym.... But the vascular guy (yeah a new doc) will put this in 3 days before the sleeve procedure.... And then remove it 3 weeks after the procedure.... Don't know enough to be scared about is part yet... But thinking it is a good idea due to my past history. Oh I ha e a choice.... Lose 20-25 pounds before surgery... Or do the Optifast diet two weeks before. So trying to really watch things. So far I have given up sodas... On week three of that.... Have minimized my coffee by switching to decaf... Day 4 and I'm tired.... Then there has been small victories.... I passed up the sweet potato fries yesterday and had a salad. Today I didn't eat the bread from The sandwich the hubby and I shared.... On the flip side I just can't resist the Ozzie rolls at the Great American chain of resteraunts here in northern virginia.... But victory was in the past I would have eaten both the bread and the rolls.... Oh and I didn't steal any French fries from the hubby.... I munched on my spinach salad minus the bacon with dressing on the side.... So I'm trying..... (egads I hear my mother now saying.... Yes dear you are very trying!) Well just wanted to relay my hoop jumping.... Oh great now I hear the chipmunks...... I just want a hula hoop.... Guess I better go buy one in purple! Hugs from Reston VA

I'm doing the Bariatric Fusion Multivitamin and Mineral Supplements (4/day), a sublingual B12 a couple of times a week (also Bariatric Fusion brand right now, but I have one of the more standard vitamin brands, Nature Made, for when those are finished), and now that winter's coming uphere I will add in a vitamin D3 a few times a week (D3 is a bit more absorbable than D2; conveniently, I have a bottle of Nature Made vitamin D pills in my cabinet! and they are small!) and some fish oil, when I have permission to add that. (I'm off blood thinners, so I could add them now, but they come in really large caplet form, meaning I'd probably have to break them open. So. I'll wait and not taste the fish oil, if it's all the same.) Since I'm supposed to go back on methotrexate any day now (read: two weeks ago, but I am afraid of what it'll do to my poor stomach), I'll add folic acid tablets when I do that, as well. But it seems like nobody besides autoimmune patients and pregnant people need to supplement that, so ... probably don't? How long after surgery were you able to take the one-a-day vitamins, @Kay07? I don't mind the chewables I'm taking now, but 1) I have an unfinished bottle of one-a-days, and 2) one theory as to why so many bariatric patients end up having tooth problems is our reliance on chewable vitamins. I figure I'd like to switch over once it's safe. The one-a-day vitamins are kind of huge, though. (I'll ask my surgeon's team, too, but anecdotes are welcome!)

Mine is constantly high, as is my esr or sed rate... They both are markers for inflammation in the body. I would imagine you can still have surgery as long as all your other tests come back ok. They think mine are related to fibromyalgia and/or an autoimmune issue... But it can be caused by any type of inflammation. Good luck and let us know what he says!

I don't know about the seizure disorder but if it helps, from the seminar I went to, my surgeon's biggest issue was people with autoimmune disorders, so if I remember correctly, that won't pertain to you! I too have done WW....I've lost 40 pounds about 10 times! LOL Always gained it back plus plus until I topped out at 405 and realized I had to have more in my arsenal than what any current "diet" offered. So welcome and good luck!

I'm currently on a medication that I take with a subcutaneous injection which I self administer. It's a biologic for autoimmune conditions (not sure if anyone is familiar with Humira). I know some diabetes medications are similarly taken. Basically you stick a needle into that fatty tissue under your skin. I usually take it around my midsection (hips, lower stomach). However, lately I am struggling because I've got more loose skin and the fat isn't packed in tightly anymore. It's been super painful lately. Tonight I really messed up my injection though. I've basically injected it under my skin, I can see a little bubble under the skin. Not sure how it will absorb or what will happen (will see doctor tomorrow). I'm just wondering if anyone has a better solution. My stomach is messed up from weight loss. I'm just wondering if anyone has any tips or suggestions for future injections. Is there some fat grabbing technique I'm not aware of? Should I find another area to stick the needle (I have a flat bum and similar loose skin issues on my thighs). It's not common to have this much loose skin and I'm honestly not sure what to do.

Hello all, Here I am, all 156 pounds of me. Feeling happy, successful, filled with energy and health. (Have I mentioned lately I have normal cholesterol, triglycerides, blood pressure, blood sugar, no sleep apnea, etc.???) I am proud of my success thus far, and feel confident if I continue to maintain the status quo as I was taught, I will have the ability to lose my final 16 pounds. Now that I am getting close to a normal BMI, I find my 2 NUTS telling me 2 different things, and I am wondering exactly how I will proceed from here. First, let me say that my research into this surgery and what it could do for my autoimmune issues was pretty extensive. I looked at medical trials, I talked to every doctor I have (and I have many) about the possibilities for this surgery. I took a risk, and it has paid off. That being said, I am certainly not professing to be a doctor or an RD, but I feel I know my body, and I don't see 140 pounds as an unachievable or unhealthy, nor do I see it as some sort of panacea. I'd like a normal BMI. Call me crazy. I have low muscle tone at the moment, skinny little fingers, small feet. I am not big boned or overly muscular, so a few extra pounds isn't masking anything. Yet, my dietitian (and CDE) who I love and trust has told me I am a perfect weight right now. And a new bariatric center dietitian who sees my weight as slowing down (despite the fact that the least I've ever lost is 3 pounds over a 2 week period) tells me to shoot for 145. I dunno. I see my long-trusted dietitian in a week, and she is planning to start me on maintenance. I figure we can talk about it, but I also plan to work on losing more. I will be up front with her, but man I'm the good kid who follows the rules. It will be hard to tell her no, not yet. Anyone else stuck in a goal dilemma? Best, Amy

My goodness, I'm so very sorry. Have they tested you for Lupus too? I know CREST is autoimmune, if it is what's wrong could your band cause problems?

I have fibro as well. Aquacize is a great work out for anyone with an autoimmune disease.

Here is the info from Allergan's site. Contraindications The LAP-BAND® System is not right for you if: You have an inflammatory disease or condition of the gastrointestinal tract, such as ulcers, severe esophagitis, or Crohns disease. You have severe heart or lung disease that makes you a poor candidate for any surgery. You have some other disease that makes you a poor candidate for any surgery. You have a problem that could cause bleeding in the esophagus or stomach. That might include esophageal or gastric varices (a dilated vein). It might also be something such as congenital or acquired intestinal telangiectasia (dilation of a small blood vessel). You have portal hypertension. Your esophagus, stomach, or intestine is not normal (congenital or acquired). For instance, you might have a narrowed opening. You have/experienced an intra-operative gastric injury, such as a gastric perforation at or near the location of the intended band placement. You have cirrhosis. You have chronic pancreatitis. You are pregnant. (If you become pregnant after the LAP-BAND® System has been placed, the band may need to be deflated. The same is true if you need more nutrition for any other reason, such as becoming seriously ill. In rare cases, removal may be needed.) You are addicted to alcohol or drugs. You are under 18 years of age. You have an infection anywhere in your body or one that could contaminate the surgical area. You are on chronic, long-term steroid treatment. You cannot or do not want to follow the dietary rules that come with this procedure. You might be allergic to materials in the device. You cannot tolerate pain from an implanted device. You or someone in your family has an autoimmune connective tissue disease. That might be a disease such as systemic lupus erythematosus or scleroderma. The same is true if you have symptoms of one of these diseases.

Hi folks, I'm Vickie, a pediatric RN living in Alaska. I found out about the band several years ago but heard lots of negative things, so I never pursued it; all I knew is that I didn't want bypass surgery. Meanwhile, the pounds kept creeping on (where do they come from? ). So here I am, nearly 40 years old, 300 pounds, and I'm gaining a few pounds a year. Getting around is getting harder (which makes being a nurse interesting to say the least) and, since I have an autoimmune disease (Sarcoidosis), it makes it really tough sometimes. I've pretty much decided I want the band (concerns about my Sarcoidosis notwithstanding -- especially my worries about the coughing I do every day possibly dislodging the band), but the only doc who does it up here has done about 15. So I'll have to travel, and of course with that comes lots of arranging and such. Also, my insurance company in their "infinite wisdom" (snerk) wants me to have a six month weight loss trial with a doc. Because, you know, I haven't been on enough diets, right? One thing that does concern me, besides the Sarcoidosis, is that as it stands, I only eat about 1500 calories a day on average. Thanks to genetics and a history of crazy dieting, in order to lose weight I really need to consume no more than about 1000 cals a day. Can I really do that with the band?? So, that's me. Married to my high school sweetie, mom of three teens (heaven help me), brand spankin' new nurse, Birkinstock wearin', granola crunchin', folk music lovin' hippie freak who has worked hard to accept my weight over the years. However, since it's getting beyond vanity into mobility and health issues, it's time to do something. Thanks for listening. I'm looking forward to making new friends and learning a lot. I'll try not to talk too much. Vickie in Alaska

My doctor made a very strong point to stop for several months while everything heals. I have ankylosing spondylitis and hashis so I need it for my joints (humira too). Humira I’ll have to give up for a month total so I can heal without infection. I’m willing to suffer a little to make sure I don’t get an ulcer. I need a second shoulder repair 8 or so weeks after my sleeve to bypass but I’d rather be in pain that have an ulcer (wine is life 😆). I suffered for years not realizing my pain was autoimmune arthritis so I’m hoping I can manage it with Tylenol, lidocaine patches, topical NSAIDS. They’re much safer and approved by my surgeon (check them out! I get pennsaid that is brand name but there’s generic versions). I’ll end up in more pain after my next shoulder reconstruction without mobic/meloxicam but I survived one of the most demanding degrees at UCLA and law school pre diagnosis (not bragging!) so I hope I can do it again. I can handle shoulder and joint pain via PT but not a damn ulcer!

All I can say is I'm sorry for your experience. My father in law had an infectious colitis and it took him wasting away and getting very ill to get the correct diagnosis. It's been some time, but I believe a few rounds of antibiotics and he recovered fully. I can't recall exactly how long it went on but his biggest issue was actually diagnosing the problem. It's been a long time but he's absolutely fine now and has no problems. How far are you out from surgery? The only real issue with medication comes if you need it to spend a long time in the stomach or if it's something (like B12) that needs to be absorbed there. I've taken several rounds of antibiotics and many people take anti-inflammatory meds (we have a few folks here with lupus and other autoimmune disorders) without any problems. Wishing you the very best with your treatment and a speedy recovery. I know that your fear right now is gaining weight on meds, but if your case is infectious colitis it will clear up and go away, and you will only need the meds until it's gone. Colitis can be serious if left untreated, so I'd simply do what the doctor suggests (once your colonoscopy confirms what you've got going on) and worry about losing any possible weight gain once it's over and done with. Your quality of life with colitis will be crap. With a sleeve, there's no time limit on weight loss and you can easily take off any pounds gained on a treatment cycle afterward. Put your overall health first. ~Cheri

Thank you so much for your reply, Arabesque, it really means a lot! I never meant to imply that wanting to look better was totally superficial. I know that a lot of it stems to our mental health. When you look good, you feel good. I had actually gotten to a point with that fat acceptance that I was in, that I bought a bunch of new clothes, kind of “throwing in the towel” about weight loss and “accepting my fate,” so to speak. So I wanted to have cute blouses, and cute pants that fit me well, instead of always having clothes cutting into me or making me chafe, or anything else. I even bought some dresses! I never really wear dresses (though it helps my autoimmune skin condition (hidradenitis suppurativa), because jeans cause a lot of friction if they aren’t the right size!). What I meant when I said that I was looking for people beyond the motivation of “looking good,” I meant that my husband’s doctor once tried to motivate him to lose weight by saying “You’ll look good,” and I don’t feel like that’s always an appropriate motivation. I mean, for some people, sure. It just wasn’t a motivator for me and my husband. I love and accept my body no matter what size it is, even if I “look good” as a thinner person, or I “look good” as a fatter person. If you know what I mean. Haha. Also, I never believed people when they made “the easy way out” comments. I always thought to myself, I don’t know, they generally say when you can avoid surgery, you should...and people opt to do this, it must be life changing enough, and significant enough, or else it wouldn’t exist as a practice. When my doctor suggested it, I thought for a moment about how people say that it’s the “easy” way...and immediately dismissed it when I kept doing research. Nothing about weight loss is easy, period. But to do surgery for weight loss seems even more of a difficult road to travel, and if you aren’t prepared for it, it’s going to be a disaster. I am so glad to hear that you (and your friends) have not been the types to hate yourselves. I just see so many posts on Instagram where people declare “I hated myself back then,” or “God I look so ugly, why can’t I lose weight,” or any other negative self-talk. It took me so long to get over that constant negative self-talk, and I worried about how I would fare going into this surgery. Would I look back and claim I hated myself or my body? Because I don’t. I think this surgery is going to be the greatest gift I can give to myself and my body. Anyway, I’ve gone on long enough, but I just wanted to say thank you again for your very thoughtful reply. It means a lot. I’ve been struggling with even keeping on my weight loss track for pre-op weight loss (I’ve only gained about 1.5 pounds, so I’m still doing good, but I need to get back into gear!). Just to hear someone say a lot of positive and encouraging things is helping me not to do late night snacking tonight and instead drink plenty of water before bed! Take care!

i have also found over the years... dietitians are a very conservative type people who tend to enjoy rules and dislike innovation and change. its just the kind of people who are attracted to the job. my hosp is still pushing fat free artificially sweetened products. sugar free kool aid is on the list of stuff to drink after surgery! they are wayyyyyy behind the research on what actually works for people in losing weight and regaining health. meanwhile, people using diets like autoimmune paleo and whole30 are achieving amazing things with really sick people. even just switching people to real food only is making a huge change. but i feel like a lot of people wouldnt have this surgery if they thought they could only drink Water and unsweetened ice tea post op.

Newbie located just north of Houston - Lots of Questions I am considering the surgery. Have been researching the different types and trying to make up my mind for a couple of years.:confused: I currently have HMO Blue of TX and am wondering how that will work out for me. Anyone with experience on that one? The good news is that I can change my insurance carrier each fall. I am considering a couple of doctors - if they take my insurance. Dr. Spivak and Dr. Robert Marvin with Obesity Surgery Specialists in Houston. I spent a lot of time thinking I wanted the Duodenal Switch, but then decided that I should try the least invasive procedure to start - and hopefully it will work for me. We'll see... I have been overweight since I was born. :baby:9 lbs 11 1/2 ozs. Went to a weight loss doctor several years back - did the lose and gain back thing...:phanvan I am currently flirting with 300 lbs at the age of 48. I have had rheumatoid arthritis since I was 27 and suffer from a "relaxed esophagus," which I am told is sometimes a side affect of the rheumatoid. For those of you that don't know - rheumatoid arthritis is not an arthritis - it is an autoimmune disease. Don't know if the relaxed esophagus issue will be a stumbling block for the procedure or not. I do know that the medications I take for the rheumatoid - as well as the rheumatoid itself - can retard the healing process. Well, there's my book. Look forward to reading the input from all of you. Thanks, Bobbi.

Hi, I would absolutely LOVE to see Alaska! All the wildlife. Yes I am a July sibling lol. July 8th, 2019. I am doing well. Went from start 203, surgery 198 to 166 today. I could... should be better.. I am 53, an do enjoy a little wine etc. I feel so much better. I have fine but a whole lot of hair. At 3.5 month I did have some come out more than I wanted. It appears it may have slowed down now at 4.5 months, I think me and my husband are the only ones to notice. I am going to cut my hair medium length in the next couple days as it isn’t as full. I started bariatric vitamins months prior to surgery, I take the bariatric vitamins, biotin, hair skin nails with vitamins, sublingual d3, sublingual b complex, collagen, msm, protein either shake or powder daily. It is frustrating. I guess it is normal to lose up toll 6 months. Hoping it doesn’t last that long. My nails are ruined from my psoriatic arthritis so I couldn’t tell you if that is affected. the issue with my liver was 10 years ago when I was just diagnosed with my autoimmune disorders. That is why I try to double check everything from my doctors. I made certain I hit my goals. It is confusing because some say you cam only absorb a certain amount at a time. I added peanut butter powder, collagen powder to my shakes etc. So all of that may have been a waste. hope you hair loss stops ASAP as it sucks. No other way to say it. Hope you are hitting all your goals!

My surgeon did tell me that my reflux could get worse after being sleeved and the sleeve is not the first surgery they recommend for those with severe reflux. However, I am not a candidate for bypass due to an autoimmune disease. But if he thought is should not be done at all, he wouldn't do it. You have to make an informed decision - weighing the benefits vs. the risks (as in all surgeries). My weight also contributes to my reflux so in that respect it could get somewhat better. I also may have a hernia that can be repaired. As with any surgery, it is best to discuss all the risks of surgery and come up with the best decision based on your specific needs and health issues.

Sleeved aug 23 and my hair has started falling out in small clumps. My vitamins are good and I usually eat 800-1300 calories depending on my workout that day. Dietician says it’s “normal” but I don’t understand why if I’m meeting my macros. However, it could also be an autoimmune relapse. That was my first symptom.

Have you had a pouch test to see if everything is in tact? Also, good to have a good physical as there are many things that can cause tiredness and weight imbalance... low vit D, thyroid as you said and done drs dobt follow the updated values on what is considered hypothyroidism, anemia, autoimmune diseases, Cushing's syndrome, pcos, and more I do think going back to the basics for more then a week might be. Good idea especially if you do have anoyhet unknown issue in the way. You can document everything so you have evidence to show the insurance and new doctor that you tried everything and here are the results Maybe you do need a revision but if you have a primary thyroid condition, a revision is not likely to fix it help much...your body needs repair first with meds, than WLS can be considered. I have bipolar, and lithium has given me hypothyroidism but after a couple years on thyroid meds, it's better. I was just sleeved and I have pcos too and I notice my weight is slow to move off despite following the rules. Still tweaking things though... I have to get steroids from time to time and that makes me voraciously hungry, pack on lbs and store fat for the winter lol but I'm still loosing with the surgery just not as fast as my counterparts it seems.... So, having thyroid issues should not make you gain huge amounts and loose nothing with the sleeve in place unless something is wrong with the sleeve and it happens even though not often I have to be very strict about my meals bc I dobt lose as fast so maybe you need a diet reset for longer, document every crumb for yourself, the NUt, surgeon old or new and insurance. Also suggest getting a good exam..maybe you need a new gp!! Good fortune

Someone posted over the weekend that her mother saw a Dr Oz show and he bad mouthed weight loss surgery so she told her daughter not to do it. I can't find the post now...don't remember which forum it was under by I commented that I had read an article in prevention magazine where Dr Oz says just the opposite. In the Oct 2011 issue, Dr Oz's article is about demanding better care from your doctor. He covers a number of topics but one of the questions they pose to him is: What health issue do you think can be solved in our lifetime? His answer....Obesity. I really do think we can get ahead of it. It's easier to cure obesity than cancer and it drives most of the heart disease and a good amount of the autoimmune issue we have. I also think gastric bypass surgery will play a big role. We probably do only 1% of the gastric bypass surgeries we should do. The next question was: So you're a proponent? His answer: Yes. Listen, if you're one hundred pounds overweight at age 50, you have the same mortality rate as if you have a solid cancer. Would you operate for cancer? Yeah. So if you cannon lost that weight, get one of these procedures. You have to do it with counseling and full awareness of what you're doing, of course. But if you get people to start losing 5% of their excess body weight, you're really taking a big whack of of the two-thirds of Americans who are overweight or obese right now. I hope the gal who posted about her mom not supporting lap band because of what Dr Oz says will keep researching, talking to people on this site and make the life saving decision for herself. Shelley

I have thought about doing exactly what you are taking about. The trainer my hubby got for me had no clue about rny, but he listened to what I wanted to do and helped me in the regards. I then had a friend help me with some other exercises. I have also found that trainers do not understand people with autoimmune diseases. My RA and RNY gives me a very different view of the world of fitness. I think the key is to find a good routine for working out and start the habit early. I was back playing soccer 8 weeks after my surgery. It has really helped during this time. As for new rny people I always suggest find a goal and work towards it. I want to run a 5k and get accepted to the police academy. That is what I work on when I work out. Most trainers can help you achieve goals.

Well i lost my way for the past year and need help badly... i will provide the background of my story & why im at a point where i really need help getting back on track. . I had my Gastric sleeve surgery in jan 2013. At the time i had been struggling with multiple autoimmune diseases ( sjnogrens syndrome, SLE or lupus, RA, fibrimyalgia) about 4 months post op my marriage was falling apart & the nasty 27 months of a horrid divorce started. I was doing well til i was diagnosed wirh cervical cancer in march 2014. That is when it really went down hill. sfter treatment i ended up back on more steroids and balooned. .. let me explain why...its a little long sorry. I hope you can follow and someone can help even if its just words of wisdom. i moved to New Mexico in 2007 from Michigan . When i was pregnant with my daughter that year is when i got sick.No one down in those small communities could figure out why! After she was born in nov 2007 i got worse & worse. On a visit back to my hometown in Michigan i fot extremely ill and decided enough was enough & went in to see the dr i had most of my life! After lots of tests he discovered i had multiple auto immune diseases. Upon returning to NM he had set me up with a rhuematologist in Lubbock texas which was 2 hrs away from our home in NM. This dr put me on such high doses of steroids & methotrexate( it looks like yellowgreen toxic waste & is used for cancer trestment as chemo therapy & also used on auto immune patients to eipe out their immune systems) injections that in Dec 2009 i had been hospitalized for weeks and my family had enough and moved me back to michigan. My ( now ex) husband went back and forth as he was a oilfield supervisor for halliburton. After moving back i got a good rhuematologist and internest. i was on 85 mg of prednisone a day at that point & it was killing me. I ballooned over 300pds. After i got pregnant with our son in 2011. Things got really bad weight wise. I was at 380ish at the time of his birth in april 2012. That is when my drs snd i decided gastric sleeve surgery was the only way that i was going to loose weight after several failed diets that they suoervised. Unlnowingly the stress i was under was not going to make things wasy. My son was born with a rare type of spina bifida called lypomeleomeningicle. He had surgery in sept 2012 at 5 months. They found things that they were not expecting when they opened my 5 month old baby up. Long story short we were at U of M for almost 3 weeks. Got home and within 45 min wrre rushing back & he had another 2 week stay. In Nov my body just gave out. I was hospitalized for 3 weeks. My drs said thsts it. Your approved for this surgery. They weened me off the prednisone which i was down to 35 mg a fay at that point. So end of dec 2012 and beginning of january 2013 i did preop. Lost about 38 pounds. I did well post op as well. But then my diseases slowed my healing process & progress had a few hospital stays. In April my marriage had gotten to its boiling point and began the process of one of the ugliest nastiest divorces i could have imagined. But i still was doing better and loosing weight everyday. I was ginalky able to participate in life again with my children etc. Instead of sitting on sidelines or canceling olans because i was sick. In the end of August 2013 i went out eoth some girlfriends ( i was under 300 pds by this time.) And met the most wonderful man. I wasnt looking at all it judt happened. We ended up habing one of those " holy cow what a small world" conversations. And how wed never cross pathsbor met before then was amazing. I was updront about my situstion, disease & gadtric skeeve surgerybupfront. And i wasnt looking to date. But from that night on we were inseperable. By Dec 2013 my divorce was in full swing but my soon to be ex husband was not happy that i was happy ( even though he never had been home even when he had weeks off and stayed 1500 miles away from us. whichbi found out he was having affairs when i decided i wanted a divorce because of a text my daughter whom was 5 at the time showed me. and when he was home he slept the whole time & never wanted to participate with our children or myself. even when i begged) he got a secret bank account & all our joint accts he closed and left me with NO money. Mind u he kept me a stay at home mom. He was very sbusive and controlling. Things were getting worse every day. My grandmother passed on dec 12th which is my oldest sons birthday. It was such a huge loss. In january 2014 i had alot of pain and called my gynocologist. I had a paps and check up in Nov previous and was all clear. They did biopsies. Long story short after 2 round of biopsies on my cervix and uterus. I was diagnosed with the end of stage 1 A cervical cancer. Jeffs ex was also a psycho. They had been divorced for a few years before i met him. He had one child with her.she had began withholding his son because we were dating. She knew many people i did and it got ugly. I was in no shape to handle all of the things thst were entering my life from his ex wife. but i had fallen so in love with him unlike id ever fallen in love with someone before. We ended up breaking up for oh.. a week.lol. and it was one of the hardest weeks in my life when it came to a break up. he still texted and called me daily. But he called begging for me to forgive him at day 8 & we got back together. I needed him. He hadd become my best friend & a huge support system. my divorce had gotten so ugly. My ex cut off the medical flex card i used for myself and the kids for copays on drs visits, medication etc. Mind u our son needed this as much as i did. He also came up unannounced and threw all of my things put. When i came home thst day after picking up kids he called the police and i was told i had to sleep somewhere else while he was home as he has no family etc of his own in michigan. This is when i had no choice but to move in with jeff. which was his idea. Its not how we wanted to do things. But my still husband was becomming increasingly physically , emotionally etc abusive and would show up unnannounced often. But i was fighting cervical cancer. Going through surgery & treatment. I needed almost 24 hr care or someone to be there. As i said things just kept getting worse. my treatment was done by august 2014. I tried working again. But ended up passing out at my job. friend of the court finally ordered child support to be paid to me that Oct. Things escalated to peak after that. Including me finally calling thebpolice after he assaulted me when we were doing kiddo drop off in dec. He fles the state when he foun out i called and filed charges. He decided he didnt want to pay 1800 a month in c.s mind u he was making about 260,000/ a year at thisnpoint. So in feb 2015 he wuit his job. By august 2015. He was behind thousands of dollars. I was in and out of the hospital and my drs snd lawyer felt this divorce would kill me before it was finished if it wasnt over soon. So i settled just to have it done. my kids & i had lost our amazing medical insurance when he quit Halliburton. Jeff and i had gotten engaged. For the first time in my life i was truely happydidnt say yes because i felt obligated because of my kids. ON Dec 16th 2015 my Jeff was at work and dell aprox 37 1/2 feet at work. His back explodednon impact as well as his spinal sac holding his spinal cord. It was by far the biggest trama of my life. So here is where i am worh my post op that i need help with. In feb 2015 i got shingles again asbi fo almost every year at that time. But i needed to be back on prednisone and lots of it for about 4 months. And have been on & off it til january this year. Between the steroids, stress etc i ate bad as well. but also stopped eating toom so when i did eat it was something fast. Especially since jeffs fall. Between taking care of him bow, my kids, my sons special needs which hes facing 2 surgeries one next month. My body breaking down. The fact i havent seen my surgeon for my sleeve since my ex quit his job snd we lodt thst medical insurance. I had gotten down to 170 pds. I began my sleeve preop journey at 396 pds. So that is 226 pounds and i felt i had reached my goal. But a month later is when the steroids started again and the climax of my divorce and then jeffs accident. Jeff and i did get married in january. Its not whst we had olanned. We had a wedding olanned, dress bought etc for October 1 2016. But for legal reasons etc and the fact i had almost lost the love of my life we decided to get married on jan 15th. So i know this is a long post and basically i laid my life out for all to see. But i need help. Im back to 240 pds. Jeff is also going on the diet with me. We began today. I don't have my diet book that i got when i had the surgery. If anyone has a copy of one they could maybe email me if love one. My husband has gained weight but has alot of muscle atrophy. Can anyone give any advice how i can get back on track. I know mh stomach didnt stretch out huge as it still only allows me to eat so much and i get full very fast. Im off the prednisone. But have been put on a new short term steroid. And i am not sure ifnit will hinder my diet. But weather it does or not i need to get back to my lifestyle. Yes it was a life style chsnge for me. Thank you for taking the time to read or give advice in advance. Again so sorry for the long post and kinda vent session. Lord knows i have alot to vent these days. Lol. Mrs.Krish Sent from my SM-G900P using the BariatricPal App

It could be the meds but not from the pain aspect but from the dryness. Many medications ( especially that nausea patch) dry out the eyes and mouth. I have Sjogren's, an autoimmune disease that is dry eyes and mouth. When your eyes are dry, your vision changes. Your tears create a film that is important to the health and working of your eyes. There are lots of stories like yours of Sjogren's patients going to their eye doctor saying I can't see with these glasses but when he tests them, it varies, depending on the moisture level of their eyes. Also right after surgery, you are dry. During the surgery they did put ointment, yes, kind of like Vaseline, in your eyes to keep your eyes safe ( no harm to your corneas) during surgery. It is the same stuff I use daily. Anesthesiologist are responsible for caring for those kinds of things during surgery. Hospitals are generally dry air atmosphere, you aren't drinking, and yeah you may have an iv but it isn't your regular condition. Your mouth is dry, your lips feel chapped, and the same goes for your eyes. Another factor if you have any double vision, is that some medications can affect the muscles around your eyes. They don't affect all muscles but those tiny muscles and it is a great affect if you aren't eating. You use those muscles to adjust your eyes gently and focus. Think of what you do when you squint. That is those muscles doing their maximum work. So wait and see if your vision how your vision is after a few days.

I have Psoriasis it is also a skin disorder and is genetic. Also it is an autoimmune disorder. I don't take a pill I take a shot and thankfully was able to keep it up during this process. The only way that weight contributes to the disorder is in the fat folds of the skin, it gets worse so I am looking forward to that being eliminated some or all for that matter. It is also effected by food and stress so if the new way I eat and if I'm not as stressed that would help too. Good luck with yours. ~~~Stephanie

I do have Lupus, and was sleeved just a week ago. So far, I'm pretty good! I had a bit of a flare for two days immediately after the surgery. Everyone kept saying how great my colour was, but it was just my malar rash! There are other threads on the forum about people with Lupus and other autoimmune disease. There doesn't seem to be any pattern to how people react to the surgery. But that makes total sense to me, because Lupus patients usually have such wildly different sets of symptoms, anyway.