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I had my surgery 17 days ago. I dealt with a lot of pain initially, but I'm fine now. My autoimmune issues have been flaring, so that was likely the cause. I started solid food back today, though I had a few bites here and there that I shouldn't have. I've basically been non-stop starving, which I didn't expect at all. Emotionally, it's hit me a few times, but I just tell myself good things and move on. Now that I can eat food again, today has felt fairly normal. I don't feel like I'm starving. I can eat more than I thought I would be able to, but I'm doing good. I was told not to start my calcium chews and b12 until 6 weeks, but my chews came in the mail today and smell delicious lol.

Surgery went well. I have very little pain. No nausea. I had a problem coming out of anesthesia but I was told I might have a autoimmune disorder I have to go for testing 3/25 with my dr. But as for the surgery everything went great and I feel great. Went shopping today for a birthday party I have this weekend.

Wow, this is a very interesting thread. I'm still in the "I don't know" stage, but I swear my gut tells me to go the RnY route. The first reason is that I already have an autoimmune disease which puts me at greater odds of rejecting the band. I also just had plastic surgery so I'm not too awful worried about sagging skin. It's so tight right now I can hardly breathe. I'm not necessarily wanting to lose it faster.....just want to lose all of the weight. I've also been eating right for over 11 years now with not a whole lot to show for it. I was always scared to cheat too much because I thought I would weigh 400 lbs instead of the 200 that I do. It's only been recently (past 6 mos or so) that I have been eating things I shouldn't because inside I just gave up losing weight. The fight was so hard and nothing to show for it. I exercise everyday........I eat right.....nothing. At this point in time, it is so easy to talk myself into doing the wrong things and I'm scared I'll do that with the band. I could easily tell myself that once I started losing weight I'd get my willpower back, but what if I dont?

I've decided to research GBS. I'm scheduled to attend a class in November. I want to compare both procedures. Also, I have a family history of RA and other autoimmune disease (like lupus) and worry about a lapband triggering autoimmune disease?

With anemia you don't necessarily have to have a heavy period. There are different types, and since you have Graves, you could have something autoimmune going on with the iron? Lol I read google too much! I've had a few periods since surgery too, and what got me confused was that I had one, it was normal, lasted 6 days blablabla...so it goes away. Exactly a week later I got another period!! For another 6 days! Just went away on Tues. It better not come back next week lol, I will be so mad! And pleaseeee, call the doctor lol

Get some gas x Jenni. I am 10 days out and I'm still suffering gas pains. Not all surgeries are a like and not all bodies are a like. I have no problem admitting, this has been extremely hard on me. I still hurt horribly. The gas pains are hard on me, I can barely stand anything chewable (like the vitamins) I can drink Water all day long, but the Protein shakes cause pain. I had a 5 hour surgery with complications. That's my reality, it's not everyones though. Do what you think you can and don't base what you can do on others or it will drive you crazy. I lost 70 pounds before surgery during the 6 month pre-approval period. Day of surgery i weighted 229 - I came home at 235 - I am now 224.6. That's not a huge loss, but I know in the end - when I'm healed, I will excel and I will do a great job. Having an autoimmune disorder Lupus and neurological issues (brain tumor) i'm not going to heal as fast as others, and I can get down about it, but I'm not going to. Make sure you keep taking the gas x and watch any gassy producing Soups (a few teaspoons of broccoli cheddar Soup with no broccoli pieces caused me serious tears and I swear I felt like I was having a heart attack). I walked a few hours a day and still have gas issues. I honestly thought I was going to breeze through this surgery because I'm a pretty tough cookie, but it's just a set back. I got my drain out yesterday and my pain was cut in 1/2. The drain was up against my diaphragm and causing breathing difficulties. I'm still coughing a bit, but that's getting better now too. I am so happy that so many are doing good so soon. I don't feel jealous, I just figure it's my lot, and I can take it, and in the end it will equal out.

@@LisaMergs Inside comments/jaunty banter is simply a form of familiarity. Not to worry- we have all been new here That said- what kind of surgery you have also has a TON to do with whether you can tolerate carbs or not- the "bad" kind, that is. Five and a half months out, I still can not tolerate a piece of banana. Others can. It is always trial and error. And maybe one day I'll be able to- who knows? Sleeve patients don't always experience "dumping" - when the sugars hit your intestines and are not able to be processed like before surgery. That is part of the "accountability factor" associated with bypass. Now some sleevers DO dump- and there are a handful of bypass pts that DO NOT. Typically that is not the norm. Same could be said for fatty foods/greasy fried foods. The point is- GOOD SOLID nutrition is ubër important for ALL of us to not only be successful with the WL tool we now have, but ultimately, to be successful at maintaining our loss. There are ways to "eat around" your surgery- namely by not following the no drinking while eating or for 30 min after you finish eating. I, personally, try and follow a ketogenic diet. Not all NUT will agree with this diet. However, because inflammation is a huge issue for my body- cellularly speaking- and the autoimmune issues I have, my docs and NUT are fine with this- and I have been symptom free since surgery. How cool is that??? One thing I will say- not ALL WLS patients have ready access to a NUT. Some see theirs only before and maybe once or twice after surgery, so if they were unclear about nutrition, and can't find what they need to know here or elsewhere on the internet ( lots of conflicting information out there), then the likelihood is they may be confused or unaware. And because we here all see different doctors- again- conflicting information- and debates ensue. What you need to do is work with your NUT and bariatric team, take what you need from here, and make an educated decision. Hope that helps! Lisa Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App Hi There! I just want to clear up one comment. Most gastric bypass patients DO NOT dump. Only 30% of bypass patients have dumping syndrome and many of that 30% clear up after around a year. Also, there are sleevers who dump as well although it is even less common.

Tomorrow is my big day and I’m not sure how I feel about it. I keep telling myself that it’s for my health. Having an autoimmune disease is already hard. I just want everything to go smoothly. I have a high pain tolerance. I’ve given birth to 5 kids all natural. As I have had surgery before. Just not sure how this going to feel.

Four years of undiagnosed SIBO raging out of control. Created a waterfall of sugar cravings, micronutrient deficiencies, sleep deficit, autoimmune flares, GI disfunction, food sensitivities, endocrine dysregulation, cravings, binging, dieting, lather, rinse, repeat.

Yea, having an autoimmune disease can mess with your blood, the platelets and red/white count...I had some stuff going on with my counts a few months before surgery, that's when I started googling everything about it lol. Omg I started cramping a little today and I was about to flip if my period came again lol. It was just a little gas tho I think. Ugh I hate being female sometimes! :-O

Just reading this thread today has been a journey with so many emotions. It just goes to show, everyone has a story. And as I read each response, especially about the fatsuit, the use of food, I think, "we sound exactly like recovering alcoholics or drug users" Avoid people and situations that we frequented in our "using" days, avoid triggers... fall off the wagon, get back on, abstinence ... This VST support group, you guys, are invaluable. So much awful has happened in the last year and a half; lost my job, broke up with my boyfriend, lost my father, lost my home, audited by the IRS, deployed to Afghanistan, death and destruction all around, fear, and now my health. There are 6 people in my world who know this, you will be the 7th en toto. I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, also known as MS. That is the real reason why I went to Germany, we don't have MRI capabilities here. I am 31. Devastated is a paltry word, not nearly covering what I have felt since the soft diagnosis July 17th or the confirmed dx on September 23rd. Bereft, grief-stricken, angry, depressed, hopeless, angry, sad, flat, scared shitless. While I was in Germany I had good commercial internet access, wifi, and I was able to spend a lot of time on YouTube, looking up people's video diaries about life with MS, treatment, etc. That is how I discovered Dr. Terry Wahls and her protocol. I encourage you all to look up her TedTalk on Youtube. It's not just that she started eating salads and voila her MS is gone. No. But being a Dr., and being willing to experiment on herself, and having nothing to lose, she started doing her research. She wrote a book called Minding my Mitochondria (god how I wish I could get that book). Long story short, she was confined to a tilt recline wheelchair and now rides horses through the rockies and rides her bike to work every day. So, I'm stuck here because if I were sent home, where would I go? I have no home, I truly am homeless. If I were sent to the US, I would be unemployed, which means no health insurance. Because of the IRS I now have no nest egg to fall back on. Bizarre as it may seem, I am getting better support and care out here than I would be in the US. And so I do what I can to attempt to follow the Wahl's Protocol. It calls for 9 cups of veggies a day, all colors, sulfurus. No wheat, dairy, soy, or corn. Obviously no sugar. Lots of omega 3 rich foods, B6,B12, and D, grass fed hormone free etc. organ meats, seaweed or other iodine rich foods, and electrotherapy for muscle stimulation. MS is a neurological condition which, more and more, Drs are starting to realize a link between neuro and autoimmune disorders, which in turn they are discovering are linked to gut health/permeability. So it may all have started with Leaky Gut Syndrome, I don't know. All I know is that at 31 yrs old, I had only just one beautiful year of living, post VSG. One year of being a real woman with potential and a future and life and beauyty. The song from Rent, "will I lose my dignity" keeps running through my head, ..."will I wake tomorrow, from this nightmare?"

Good day ladies, It's been a long time. We just melted out from 56" on the weekend of the 18th to get sprinkled on to the tune of another 5" last night. Oh, well it's our snowy season. Decided to update my forum stuff. Hope you enjoy. The sweet face is either my pup Ruth Ann Magilicutty or my husband. Son just got a new automated glucose monitor to compliment his insulin pump. I guess it attaches like his pump does and monitors his levels constantly. Being young (27) and getting an autoimmune disease like Type 1 diabetes sucks big time, but son Ted is a real trooper. His endocrinologist is now through with him and has turned him over to his GP unless things change drastically with his sugar levels. Guess I had better take some time and see what the rest of the crew has been up to. Later,

I don't know, I guess I just always have to know WHY you should do or not do something. I'm just a geek that way. So I've read lots of the medical literature about the band (I spent a lot of time reading about it the band in journals before my surgery because of my autoimmune stuff) and I can't actually find any studies about carbonation. So I think it must be kind of anecdotal . . . on the other hand, why take a chance. I have no desire to drink soda, and really don't even miss beer anymore. But I do love my once a year champagne . . .

She Smiles, until you can get into the dentist, try some Midol, it helps more than other OTC pain killers, not sure why, but was given that suggestion years ago, and it works! My ex was abusive, and knocked my teeth a few times, and the Midol seemed to help with the throb where Ibuprofin and all didn't so much. My DD....what an ordeal it has been. She began about a month ago, the glands under her ear swelled up. She saw the Dr. was given antibiotics, and sent home. About a week later the ear itself began swelling. Not the lobe but the cartilage part of the ear, got HUGE....I am talking a girl with small ears, and the thickness of the cartilage area was easily an inch or an inch and a half thick, and it was purple! They changed her antibiotics, and it only continued to get worse. They thought it was cellulitis, and treated for that, with no response. All the while the lobe remains normal. Eventually it swelled to a point the skin split, and she had open sores. All the visits to the Dr, and the ER, she ended up with MRSA in it! So they admitted her to the hospital, and began the IV meds for that. No change. They inserted a PIC line, so they could use stronger meds. Finally her tests for the MRSA come back good, but the ear is worse than ever, it is not even resembling an ear any longer. They operated and removed the carotid lymph node under her ear to biopsy and test. They made an incision about 3 inches long, and only sutured it in 3 places trying to allow it to drain, it never even bled. The surgeon said cutting into the area was like sawing wood. Very tough. The communicable diseases Dr. of our local hospital called the family together to tell us she thought my DD had a disease called Relapsing polychondritis. Which is an autoimmune disease, that begins in the cartilage of either the ears or the nose, and disfigures, then moves to the cartilage in the joints, causing disability, and eventually either collapses the trachea, or destroys cartilage bands at the base of the arteries in your heart--causing death, usually in the neighborhood of 10 years from onset. We were totally devastated. She is 27, has a 4 year old DD herself, and is a beautiful, otherwise healthy, vibrant girl. Then while we are trying to deal with the Dx, suddenly the ear lobe swells---and the glands all swell again. So whatever infection she has is worsening, BUT the RP does not affect soft tissue, only cartilage---so that goes against the diagnosis. So while she is getting worse, in our own way we are celebrating! With this change the Dr.'s here give up and transferred her to a larger hospital in Albuquerque. She got there, and the infectuous diseases Dr. said almost immediately it was not the RP, but it was similar, it was an affliction that mimics the RP, called pseudomonas aeruginosa perichondritis. Which is an infection of the cartilage, and it is a one shot thing, it is not going to spread to the other parts of the body, nor is it fatal! They got the proper antibiotics going in, and the change was drastic and almost immediate! She was in the hospital for over 2 weeks, but is home now and will be on IV therapy through her PIC line for minimally 6 weeks. When that is done, they will excise any remaining dead tissue. She will likely need PS to restore normal look to her ear. But that is nothing! It has been an emotional roller coaster! One I am totally glad to be off of! Thanks for all your support--some of you both here and on FB. Y'all are great! Kat

Thanks Hoosier! @ Fiddle - I absolutely agree with you! The flood of endocannabinoids after I lift cannot be replicated in a pill. I have begun week 3 of Insanity and we just completed a fit test and I haven't improved all that much. People are fond of saying that ultimately weight loss comes down to calories in, calories out, meaning thaf if your burn exceeds your intake for long enough, you will shed weight. I am living proof that this is not the case, as I average about 650 cals a day and do Insanity + weights 5x a week. My eating is very very clean because I must follow a pretty strict eating plan for autoimmune issues. Day 12 Insanity: frustrated but haven't given up, working hard enough to have sweat drip freely off my face. Am interested in opinions regarding weights, before or after Insanity. I am currently doing them after.

Hello and yes I do, and I don't mind being called out I have Multiple Sclerosis which is also an autoimmune disease. I was also diagnosed with Fibromyalgia years before the MS diagnosis, but I honestly think it was just MS all along. I actually just came out of a flare a couple weeks ago. I have symptoms all the time, but when when I'm in an exacerbation it all gets a lot worse. I had about 2 weeks where my band did feel tighter than usual and I had zero appetite. I found during that time, I drank Protein shakes a couple times a day to keep my nourishment up. Normally I'd never advise someone to do that, but when you have a medical condition that's temporarily making it rough to eat, you do what you need to do to get through the rough patch. This is actually partially why I don't do the whole high protein diet. I try to keep my diet as anti-inflammatory as possible because it does lessen the effects of autoimmune disease. If you're curious, here's a basic anti-inflammatory food pyramid. http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/ART02995/Dr-Weil-Anti-Inflammatory-Food-Pyramid.html If you're having problems taking your meds, see if your pharmacist can give you a liquid version of it temporarily. Or, if it's safe to crush or cut them. Your meds are really important right now. Hang in there, I know how bad it sucks. Just rest and do whatever is necessary to get through this flare.

Hi gang. So i was banded 10/07/11 and have had slow an steady weight loss. I also have had Fibromyalgia since 2003 (28yo) an recently have been diagnosed with Secondary Raynaud's and Lupus. I have noticed that as of lately when I am in a flare up my band is Super tight! Does anyone with autoimmune disorders experience this to? And how do you deal with it? Mis73 I know you deal with something too (not trying to call you out) do you have any tips? Right now its even tough getting down my meds. I also am going with warm liquids tea, chicken broth and such. Thanks guys!!

I have Multiple Sclerosis I wondered if I could have the surgery. From what I was told I wouldn't have any problem & my neurologist would have to give me the ok. Talked to my Neuro & he thought it was a good idea for his patient & said there shouldn't be any issues. I have been DX for 2yrs. I'm current stable. I do have concerns that I will have a flare up after surgery, it's a risk with any surgery & a autoimmune disorder. There is the option of putting the fibro or whatever autoimmune disorder on the back burner (hush hush) until after surgery. DX these type disorders can take mths or yrs & u don't want ur surgery put off till then. Also don't rush the DX or fibro. DRs told me it basically means they don't know. There maybe another autoimmune disorder that hasn't fully shown itself. Sorry for the book! Lol!

Graves' disease is an autoimmune disease. It most commonly affects the thyroid, frequently causing it to enlarge to twice its size or more (goiter), become overactive, with related hyperthyroid symptoms such as increased heartbeat, muscle weakness, disturbed sleep, and irritability. It can also affect the eyes, causing bulging eyes (exophthalmos). It affects other systems of the body, including the skin, heart, circulation and nervous system. Yes my Dr says it's a great idea. I have a 2nd opinion on Tuesday . I just know there's been some people that have had it done with graves. I was hoping there were some people on here with some information from their own experience on here to give me some insight. Thanks!

What adjustments did you make to your medications before and after surgery? How has your weight loss affected your symptoms. I have rheumatoid arthritis and hoping weightloss will help my joints. Thanks!

I have a friend who has sparked my interest about lap band. Upon doing some investigation on my own, I discovered that Lap Band is not recommended for those with autoimmune disorders such as MS. Is there anyone out there that has MS and has had the procedure done?

It's really difficult to predict how anyone's body will respond and heal. My surgeon told me about a patient of his who went back to work the day after his surgery (I took 2 weeks off - I had a terrible reaction to the anaesthesia and my blood pressure went crazy). You should probably be feeling OK a month after surgery. For me, it was longer. I wouldn't say that I felt "weak", the problem I was having was the weird stomach sensation/kinda like heartburn. I used to get dizzy if I stood up too quickly, but it passed very fast. My periods got weird, I did end up triggering a huge autoimmune condition and was very, very ill (I don't know of anyone who went through this, I'm not trying to freak you out). Even with all that, I managed to survive a demanding job. You find that you will just do what you have to. Honestly, you never know what you are capable of. Just keep going! I would be vigilant about hitting your protein targets to keep your energy levels up. Also stick with the water and the vitamins. In terms of clothing, that's also very difficult to predict. If you start at a very, very high weight then it actually takes a little while to get down to the next size but once your weight is lower, then you might be changing sizes every month. It also depends on your body type, where you hold the weight and how you lose the weight. Weight loss is not linear (there will be stalls), so you may be stuck on one dress size for four months and then race through 2 dress sizes in a month. For that reason, I would avoid "stocking up". You may have kept a special pair of skinny jeans or aspirational dress for years, but find out that by the time you try it on, it won't fit. Or it only fits for a week. It doesn't take long to order a few things online every month if you have the budget. Otherwise, check out discount and second hand stores. Clothes are so cheap these days. You will be fine! If I were you, I would focus on the positives. Get excited, you're about to change your life! If you go in with a positive mindset, the journey is a lot easier! It's very normal to feel anxious, but these forums don't always reflect how awesome things will be!

Hi, My name is Karen, I'm 45 years old and have struggled with my weight my whole life. I'm 5'6" and currently weigh 261 pounds, my highest was 277. I've tried every diet, under the sun. I've tried fad diets, weight watchers, taken pills and supplements, tried hypnosis..etc..nothing ever works for long. I am now disabled and can no longer do alot of excercise so just dieting is not really working..once over 40 I can't just go without eating for a few days and lose 5 pounds like I did as a 20 year old. You have to work harder as you get older and without being able to really excercise,,it's been almost impossible for me. I have several conditions that have limited me but I feel if I get some of this weight off, it might help. My neurologist is the one that mentioned I might try Lapband. I have not been to a seminar, spoken with a surgeon or taken any of the steps for the surgery yet. The only thing I've done is try to educate myself,,reading alot. I called my insurance company and they will pay most of it but I will also receive medicare in April so I'm hoping I will have little if any out of pocket expenses if I qualify for the surgery. Anything I need to know financially? I guess why I'm here is that I'd like to know where to begin and what to expect. What's it like for others? I'd like to hear from anyone about anything since I know nothing. I'd especially like to know how long it takes from the time you begin the whole process till you have surgery. How hard is it to qualify? I have an autoimmune disease, will this hinder me from being able to get the surgery? My illness is stable right now, I feel like if I get some of this weight off, it might help my condition. I'm sorry I have alot of questions. I'm scared and excited at the same time. The thought of being able to walk a steady pace and play something other than cards with my kids and grandkids is so appealing to me. I hate the way I look and feel, I really want my life back.