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Hi Mark, Well, you asked, although I don't think you're going to like your response. I have a teenage son, so I know how they are, and basically in my experience, they'll only seek out and pursue what's important to them. My son didn't apply to colleges until he could choose what colleges to go to, and he only did that once we backed off and stopped having conniption fits when he mentioned things like becoming a male model or a rodeo clown; once we did that, he went gangbusters, and in fact I'm sitting here with his apps to Harvard, Princeton and Georgetown. (And with his test scores and grades, he stands a good shot at getting in). He's now frantic, desperate to get into the best schools and major in political science. Why? Because we backed off and let him choose his own destiny. What I read in your post is that your son's weight is more important to YOU than to HIM. If you push him, you will only make him rebel; he has to want to lose weight to make any lasting changes. He can't do it for you. And I'm afraid that if you shame him or make him feel bad about being fat, you'll only damage his self esteem. And good self esteem is, I believe, really important to taking the steps necessary to have a permant weight loss occur. If it were me, I'd just encourage him to exercise with you every day (heck, it's good for you, too, and you're setting a good example) and have only healthful foods in the house. You don't say what your food situation is like at home but if his "normal sized" sibilngs are allowed to eat junk food and he's judged for what he puts in his mouth, that again could shame him. I'm not saying you are doing this, and I hope you're not; but my grandparents did it to my mom, and she ended up weighing way over 400 pounds. So I'd just have healthful foods in the house, encourage regular exercise -- stressing the health benefits of regular exercise, not whether it leads to weight loss -- and as he feels better about himself, his body, etc. he may very well opt to "do something" about his weight. In the meantime, those changes will go very far to help him stay healthy. Studies have shown that a fat person who eats healthily and exercises (and yes, we exist) his similar risks to heart disease and cancer as a thin person. So while it's healthier to be thin, it's healthy to be active and eat nutritious foods, too. Regardless of one's weight. I'm a little confused, though. Were you thinking of kicking him out of the house because of his weight??? Please tell me I misread your post, because that seems unconscionably cruel. The only reason I could think of to kick my kids out are illegal activities, flagrant disregard for the rules, or being in their 20's with no real goals in life. He's still a kid, and needs your guidance and support -- not your shame. What would kicking him out of the house do? He wouldn't be exercising with you and would have to get a job which would cut into work out activities; also, he probably wouldn't be eating particularly well if he's like most teens left to their own devices. I only see it as a lose lose situation. And really, so what if he's fat? I've lived 40 years on this planet in a fat body (I'm arranging my surgery for next year) and in that time I have married my high school sweetie, birthed and raised three lovely, intelligent, insightful, saavy children who love their planet and each other. I graduated from nursing school at the top of my class while raising three kids and running a business. I've been a childbirth educator, labor coach, Girl Scout leader, volunteer for numerous organizations, and helped at my children's schools. My life is one hardly deserving of shame. But it was my parents telling me that my weight didn't matter -- that my character did -- which led me to strive for everything I could have in life. My weight, until recently, never got in my way. I worked out several days a week, I backpacked around Alaska, California and Washington state, I swam in lakes, rivers and pools, I bicycled, I even rode a Vespa scooter. The only reason I'm having trouble now is that I'm 40 and have an autoimmune disease; the combination of my weight, aging and the Sarcoidosis have finally started to catch up with me. I hardly consider the last 40 years "killing myself". But all of the crazy stupid diets I went on probably DID do some damage, which is why I stepped OFF the dieting treadmill and just focused on eating well and exercising. I didn't drop a pound but I felt really good. Your son is only 18, not 40, and establishing a healthy lifestyle -- regardless of what that does to his weight -- is far more important than buying into your obsession with his size. What he needs, in my opinion, is good information about healthy eating, exercise, and good role models. And he needs the space to decide how he wants to live his life. Now, if he's depressed, or has no real goals or anything, then by all means get the kid to a counselor. If he's eating crap, make it clear that he can't do that in the house and make him read "Fast Food Nation". But otherwise, his weight problem is HIS weight problem; I'm afraid you need to back off and deal with your own issues about his weight, and let the kid find his way. The more you pressure him, the more he will rebel, and it may cost you your relationship with him. Sorry to be so hard core, but I've seen parents do this to their kids -- out of love, don't get me wrong, I know you must love him very much, and your concerns are well justified -- and it never ends well. The best thing you can do is tell him you love him, that you're proud of him, and if he needs help he can come to you. And in the meantime, try to get him to exercise regularly so you guys can have quality bonding time together. Best of luck, Mark. I know it's tough, but really, as bad as it is being fat, it could be so much worse, you know? Try to focus on the good things about him to build his self esteem; he'll address his weight problem when he's ready. (BTW, I'm assuming he's been to a doctor and been checked out for any kind of endocrine problems??? Obviously that's the first order of business). Take care, and if he is interested in finding out about the lap band, then I hope he would post here and get his questions answered. But I wouldn't recommend pressuring him to have the surgery because there seems to be SOOOOO much that's all about compliance and working with the band; if he's not behind it 100% (or more), then I fear he could really damage himself.

Luck!! My mind has been awful with it. I have some autoimmune issues already suffering with fatigue- took myself off those meds as I truly believe this surgery and weight loss will help- but in the process of jumping through hoops I've gained a bunch. And it's hot and humid and I don't do well with that. I feel like a whiner. I am . Really though- lots of luck and happiness sent your way :-)

I am 107 days tobacco free and about 25 free of the patch. I don't think about it anymore. Soda was hard, but I've done it before. I drink about 3 or 4 liters a day of water a day and 2 glasses of coffee with unsweetened vanilla almlnd milk. I'm planning on getting a deep freeze for my house so I can prep stuff for my husband...otherwise he would literally eat microwaveable or pre made junk all the time. I've been experimenting with recipes that are low carb. I've been also working on my sugar intake as my a1c is a 6.8. The drinking thing is going to be hard for me too. I constantly have my bottle of water with me. Working out will have to wait...i have autoimmune stuff that's been flaring since the hurricanes. I do stretch daily, but I plan on going to our local indoor pool. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using BariatricPal mobile app

Hi there. I'm new. I've been researching, considering WLS for the past couple of months. I learned my insurance won't cover, so Mexica may be an option if I move forward. As I complete my health history for one clinic, I am wondering who is going to do surgery on a 60-year-old in poor health? Yet, I understand so many candidates receive surgery because of their health. - I've been hypothyroid for 20 years, which has progressed now to autoimmune thyroid. - I've had several surgeries over the years. Mainly: two cesareans, hysterectomy, hernia repair, gallbladder removal, pacemaker. I also have asthma, and neuropathy in feet due to degenerative disc disease. I've been referred to Mayo Clinic for what my doctor believes are autoimmune-related issues. Has anyone here been denied surgery due to health/age? I am considering WLS to help with health issues after I visit Mayo Clinic. I was told by one reputable clinic in Mexico I would not be a candidate for the sleeve; I'd need a gastric bypass if accepted. Getting this weight off (goal of about 85 lbs.) would help with arthritis and autoimmune, etc. Anyone have similar experience? I look at my application and realize I may just be beyond the scope of consideration. I'd appreciate some feedback. Thank you! I wish you all well in your journey!

Thanks Butta, it isn't fun...but I have to say ...the periodontist gave me some cream called Floucinonide to put on my gums and after one treatment..they feel better. The only draw back is the cream is petroleum based... therefore..I feel like I have an oil slick in my mouth, but my lips are going to be the softest in West Tennessee...so maybe there is a plus side to this! The periodontist said he could tell I take great care of my teeth...so it very well could be autoimmune which from the medical journal articles I am reading ..points to that!

Thanks OTR...it's really very weird...the gums on the outside next to my cheek are ulcerated above the gum line..brushing is a hurtful event but I do it anyway..I am a huge fanatic over my teeth...now here's where it gets weird...my gums that are on the inside where my tongue is...are freaking fabulous..normal as can be...so off to shave off some gum tissue I go! I feel really weird...well..that isn't a stretch ..at least I am healthier! Well ..except the gums..but we will get them fixed...maybe unless it is autoimmune and that I just have to live with!

I drank Diet Pepsi for 34 years. During that time I gained 250 lbs and developed two life-threatening autoimmune illnesses. Went off it 8 years ago and eliminated both illnesses. My opinion of "diet" soda and anything else with artificial sweeteners is it's detrimental to health and well-being.

@@RJC5197 Don't know if you are into essential oils or not but OnGuard by DoTerra is my best friend!! I diffuse it during the typical "sick seasons" and we seem to get through ok. My daughter even has an autoimmune disorder and we have stayed fairly healthy through the worst of it. I will say that we both have colds right now but everyone at my work is coming down with the terrible flu. Just my opinion.

I've read about a number of people bruising more easily (even with solid labs). Some people have dental problems, too. I'm still in my first month post-op, so I don't know. I got the surgery to combat autoimmune arthritis--WLS clears it up for up to 50% of people who get it--but it's too soon to know if it'll do that for me. Apparently arthritis isn't like diabetes, which sometimes clears up immediately post-op; studies seem to run for six months to a couple of years, on my particular type of arthritis. So I am trying to wait patiently, to see if I'm one of the lucky ones.

I can't recommend one or the other but here are my thoughts: Advice for those researching Lapband: Ask what your doctor's experience is with removing lap bands. How long can I expect to keep my band before it needs to be removed? (Bands are being removed anywhere between 2 years out and onwards. I personally know of only 3 people who have had their bands 5+ years and one of those is on band #2.) What long term negative effects have your patients experienced with Lapband? Lapband is a high pressure system. The band creates a great deal of pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter. The esophagus, in attempting to move food into the pouch, puts tremendous pressure on the LES, as well. Over time this causes damage and the sphincter fails to open. This creates a feeling of being "stuck" but your food hasn't even made it to the pouch. This situation is becoming more and more common in the banded population and causes permanent long term damage that cannot be reversed. This is what is called "difficulty swallowing" on the disclosure. It's actually band induced achalasia. Often on the various wls forums or social media groups, people will speak of random tightness, difficulty with swallowing yogurt, liquids, etc, regurgitation of meals despite cutting their food, chewing thouroghly and eating only 1/2 cup meals. What's your practice's re operation %? (Re operation following Lapband is upwards of 50%) any claims of lower % might mean your doctors patients are seeking help elsewhere when problems arise. How many of your Lapband patients have reached goal weight? (Average EW loss is in the 40-60% range...if you have 100 lb to lose, you can expect to lose 40-60 lb.) What do you consider compliance? -attendance at support meetings? -weighing, measuring, logging food intake? -adherence to a particular diet? -steady weight loss? -monthly, quarterly, bi-annual or annual band check ups? -what is the protocol for fills? (Many doctors consider failure to lose 1-2 lb per week noncompliance despite their patients claiming to adhere to a strict protocol.) I hear a lot about certain complications such as: achalasia, gastroparesis, adhesions of stomach to liver, erosion, band slips, band tightening without a recent fill. What's your experience with these issues. (More and more banded patients are experiencing these complications starting as early as 1 year post op and as long as 9-10 years out.) Will you band someone with autoimmune disorders? (This is a mixed bag...my personal experience is that having a foreign object in my body exacerbated my IBS) Do you screen for contraindications using EGD, esophageal manometry and upper GI? (These tests should be done to evaluate your ability to tolerate banding) If I have a hiatal hernia, what procedure do you use to repair it? What type of sutures do you use? (Nissen fundoplication and pledgeted sutures are never used in conjunction with bariatric surgery to repair existing hiatal hernia). As a final warning, recently there have been increasing reports of cardiac issues following banding...irregular heartbeat, arrhythmias, palpitations, etc. The heart and the esophagus lie sued by side in the chest. The vagus nerve(controls heart rate, breathing and GI tract) is also in the same area. Food retained in the esophagus puts pressure on the nerve and heart. This is not good. I'm posting this because although I lost over 100 lb while I had my band, I now have permanent esophageal damage, cardiac problems and I'm on additional medications to manage the complications caused by my band. I was compliant with diet and lifestyle changes. Part of the problem was that my hiatal hernia was repaired using a nissen fundoplication and pledgeted sutures. Also, upon removing my band it was found to be placed very high on the stomach. I didn't have esophageal manometry testing prior to my band placement. (My band doctor was recently named as one of Seattle's Best Bariatric Surgeons for 2013.) 3 years later I had 0% motility when tested. I never had swallowing problems before banding. I still have difficulty with many foods. Bands are a money maker for doctors who are still implanting them. They get paid to put them in, fill them, empty them and remove them, then revise their patients. Many reputable medical institutions will no longer implant a band and many who still do, consider it a short term device and remove within 2-3 years then revise to gastric sleeve before permanent damage is done. I thought the band was least invasive. I have 15 incisions on my belly I didn't have when I started this. 3 surgeries, dozens of diagnostic, invasive tests, $150,000 later and I don't have a WL tool. I have a cardiac condition I didn't have, esophageal dilation and achalasia + 3 new meds costing me $150/month out of pocket. Do your research and be open to hearing the "negative" along with the positive...it might save you from years of suffering.

I was on cellcept for about 3 weeks and it was the worst time in my life. I was taking it for an autoimmune disease and was already banded at the time...

There are a couple of blood tests that have to co-inside for the diagonsis of lupus. also you have to have, I believe 5 systoms from a long list to be diagnosed with lupus. Leatha probably knows what I am talking about. Years ago when ever they could not figure out what a person had they called it lupus. Now they are aware of a whole field of autoimmune diseases. I for one have had 2 of the three blood tests quite elevated for the last 20 years but not the third one (double ss something or another) plus only 3 symtoms. I have been to 2 rheumatoidologists only to have them tell me I don't have lupus or any other autoimmune diseases. That 2/3 of the people with elevated blood test do not have a problem. Only one third will eventually get a AI disease. NO you cannot catch it . The reason they are concerned if you already have and AI disease is the chance your body will reject the band because with an AI disease your body fights against itself and does not have the good antibodies it needs to fight off inflammation or it will reject forgein things. You can miscarry really easy if you have an AI disease because your body rejects the fetus. So your body could reject the band with a AI disease. Which is different that having an allergic reaction. I have not read any where where the band could cause an AI disease. Also my DR refuses to band you if you have an AI disease. He looked at my blood work and said OK. I hope this isn't to long or confusing.

I think we all need and want a chill out day sometimes regardless of the weight issue. I have bad arthritis and take methotrexate shots for it which can often tire me out in addition to just living with pain and autoimmune conditions so I enjoy the down days sometimes even when I don't feel blah just needing rest and mental break. Seems like under normal circumstances these days now and then would be healthy as well for anyone.

Hi I have Ms too. I have M.S. and the Lap Band recently I have seen ligature that says people with an autoimmune condition can not have the Lap band. MS is a auto autoimmune condition. Have you heard anything about that? How are you doing with your lap band? When did you get your lap band? Have you lost any weight? Please respond as soon as possible. My alternative e-mail address is lenaa@wowway.com. I check that box regularly.

I am definitely with Daisee on this one. Autoimmune illnesses hide themselves until your body is stressed and then they show themselves. I have both psoriatic arthritis and Graves' disease. My Mom had rheumatoid arthritis. If it turns out to be RA, there are a lot of great biologics that stop the progression and take away the symptoms. I take biologics for my psoriatic arthritis and it has really helped my disease.

Hi! I’m 62 and had the sleeve on January 2. I still have pain in my gut, but it’s not too awful. I still take 1 or 2 pain pills per day. I want to make it clear that I have autoimmune issues that have me feeling not so great too. When I first woke up in the recovery room I had regret because the pain was intense for me. The other issue I had was when I got to my room and i asked for pain meds I waited 1 1/2 hours until they were administered, which in my mind was totally unacceptable! (And it was not a case where it wasn’t time for them). This caused me unnecessary anxiety and more pain because it was not under control. I would think that because you walk daily you should have an easier time of it. Good luck on your journey.

Surgeon did the peer to peer...still denied!! I'm appealing it myself and doing all the leg work as we speak. I even am getting my old before lap band records so that they can see what my weight was.....a letter from my rheumatologist saying after time my autoimmune disease (RA) could start attacking the band...again.....my pain management doctor about extra weight being bad for my degenerative disk disease and a letter From my primary with, hopefully, her approval for the sleeve! I was a little upset that my doc when doing the peer to peer did not use the most recent weigh in from 2 days prior....he had a BMI of 31 and it should have been 33.3. It's a bunch of hoops to jump through but I'm jumping because I want this!!

I have gerd and an autoimmune disease that effects swallowing. I'm almost 5 months out and my reflux was pretty bad at the start but it has gotten better. I've been taking nexium for several years now and zantac since surgery. I take them twice a day. Per my surgeon,,getting ready to cut back on the zantac, don't need it anymore. So for me, it has gotten better.

Twice, I was out walking this past summer,,I made it about 1/4 mile and it took me about 10 minutes to do that. I ended up in ICU both times due to respiratory distress because of a rare autoimmune disease I have..it sent me into a Myasthenia Gravis crisis. My muscles in my chest wall just couldn't do the work..not to mention the extra weight those muscles had to try and lift. Today,,I walked at 2 mph on my treadmill for a mile!!!!!..no distress, no pain,,just energy and enthusiasm. I just thank God that this is finally happening for me. Steroids put most of the weight on and by golly I'm going to fight to get this weight off and get well!!!

since I am following a strict autoimmune protocol I do live life sugar and flour free and it is easy peasy! *white* sugar, and *white* flour are pure poison to my body and the effects are immediate and painful. Instead, it's all about the stevia, the coconut sugar, and ground flaxseed/hemp flour or almond meal or ground chia. Not only do I never have to give up my cakes, now I also don't have to deal with refined white food coma!

Lovely suggestions!! I'm an autoimmune patient and I incorporate these every day. I'd also suggest for the fatigue and mental fuzziness due to the liquid diet, add ELECTROLYTES. You can buy all sorts of sugar free ones. Often during the liquid diet our body is trying to shift into fat burning mode/ketosis. This can feel very unpleasant and we go through carb withdrawal. We are also low in calories. So electrolyte supplements once a day help give us the things the low calorie, sugar free diet is lacking and it often eases the fatigue and headache some... Good luck with your surgery!! ❤️ I have found mine has really helped my systemic inflammation and fatigue!

Thanks for the comments. I actually heard this on a Lap Band commercial earlier today. I have been hearing Lap Band commercials for a couple of years now and today was the very first time I ever heard mention of the autoimmune disorders as a contra-indication. Also - I did some queries and found that autoimmune disorders are listed all over the place as being a contra-indication - I never noticed that before either. However, none of the sites that I looked at, made any comment whatsoever as to "why" an auto-immune illness could be a problem with the Lap Band. I am wondering if this is something new that is just now being published...

Hi - I haven't posted in a long, long time. For now I just want to quickly ask about "autoimmune disease" and Lap Band. I just heard, for the first time that having an Autoimmune connective tissue disease (like Lupus) is a 'contra-indication" for the surgery. I have had a Lap Band for 1 year and now it appears I may have Lupus. Does anybody know what the problem is ???? I cannot find any information on why there is an issue with Lupus and the Lap Band. Thanks in advance...

I know a lot of people from these forums who started at your size and have lost all their excess weight -- if that's what you're worried about. I also know a lot of people from these forums who started at your size and lost down to around 200. And, of course, some people are so uncompliant after WLS that they don't lose much or quickly regain their weight loss. I expect there are many reasons why people don't reach their goal weights, most of which boil down to their not being "compliant enough" post-op. However, there are surely others for whom losing weight after WLS just doesn't work as well as for others, no matter how compliant they are. I know people who are compliant as all get out, but for whom weight loss is just a lot slower than for others -- and I can't tell what the differences between them and me are. Other factors that should go into your decision about which WLS to choose are the specific comorbidities and diseases you suffer from, e.g., diabetes, autoimmune diseases, etc., and the medicines you have to take for those. As you probably know, nutritional and Rx malabsorption problems are greater after bypass surgery than after sleeve surgery.

Glad to hear!! I've been reading on it and it says that persons with autoimmune diseases should not get lap-band. I really want to get it though! Are you on medication for your arthritis?