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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

Hi This is only my 2nd post. Again I so appreciate the wealth of info on this site. I too have RA & fibro both autoimmune diseases. My Rheum didn't have any concerns re: the surgery. Also at my initial consult I gave them a full medical history & no one mentioned that it would be an issue. I am in the early stages of the process, no surgery date yet. I meet with the nutritionist & psychologist next week. It started giving me 2nd thoughts about how well I will heal and also my body's reaction to the foreign body. So I will definitely discuss this more with the surgeons. I have gotten PM from someone who had surgery where I am going & he had a horrible experience & had his band removed. Although I appreciate hearing the good & bad I was taken back since he was so adamant against it. I know his threads haven't always been popular in looking back at his threads. I am scared being obese but I definitely want all the information to make informed decision re: lap band surgery. Jazz:confused:

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!

Carbonated beverages are out for most bandsters, because frankly most surgeons put them on the "do not ever" list, and because for many of us they hurt more than they taste good. Once you have a band, and restriction, carbonation doesn't perform like it does for people without those issues. For many of us it causes painful gas bubbles, or if not painful, at least very plentiful. Some don't have this issue, especially as they have the band for a while (year or two, etc) and some will let the carbonated drink "go flat" (eww, JMO) to drink it. There is not the dumping syndrome with the band like there is with RNY Bypass, but many surgeons and nutritionists will tell you to limit sweets because they are empty calories. I know that my surgeon asks his potential patients if we have any autoimmune diseases (of which lupus is one, i believe) but he didn't say we COULD NOT be banded....just that he needed to know about it. Each surgeon is a little different, you'll learn. As to your other issues; of course as you lose weight, anything caused by obesity will likely resolve, and anything made more difficult by obesity will get easier to manage. The band takes work and time, committment to follow up appointments (for fills, etc)...but it can be a lifesaver for some. Only you will know if it is the right course for you to take! This site has a lot of good info but remember it's anecdotal. Attending a seminar or two, and reading from the contingent of "lap band" books that are on the market today, will help you too.

Hi everyone. This is my first time on this site and have been busy reading everyone's posts. I hope to become part of this 'little coffee group'. I live in Liberty, MO. We are just north a little of Kansas City, MO. Wish we had some of the Arkansas weather that a couple of you have mentioned. Do any of you have an autoimmune disorder? Just wondering as I have been told I have CREST, a form of Scleroderma. They told me not to have the band...but did anyway. So far so good though. I've not lost a lot of wt yet, but only had 1 fill. That was on Nov. 18 1cc. I know it's been a long time but scheduled for another on Feb. 4. Earliest Dr. Malley office could get me in as I had been banded in Mexico they do not get in a hurry to accommodate someone they did not band themselves. Look fwd to getting to know you.

Exmouth, sounds like a long time to be on liquids after banding. I only did for 2 wks 3rd week was pureed then soft foods and work way to reg foods. Pls try to relax. I have autoimmune disease also. my laptop battery is pooping out so will look fwd to hearing fm you later or I will try to find this siteagain and send another message. feel free to call me 816-377-0130 if you get too freaked or just want to talk about autoimmune disorders and banding. Judi banded 10-3-08

Hi all I posted on this site previously when trying to decide whether to start the process of getting the band. You were all so much help that as soon as I started to panic I realised you're all probably the best people to come to for advice! In a nutshell, it was suggested by my NHS endocrinologist that I be referred for a band, as I have three autoimmune diseases and chronic fatigue syndrome, which is making losing weight extra hard and also increasing my risks of further serious health problems a huge amount. I also have issues with food, and eat too much and/or the wrong thing quite often for various reasons, often emotional (I guess that would be a few of us on here!). I also have a big appetite and very rarely get full so even at the best of times it’s tough to . I had my initial appointment in October and they said I appeared to be an ideal candidate but needed to prove I could lose weight. At my appointment on 16th Dec I had only lost half a stone but put on a lot of muscle - I thought they wouldn't offer it to me. However, they are still extremely keen and offered me an op date of 26th March. It's taken a while to decide to actually have it, but now I have I'm just freaking out completely!! What I am scared of is that I won't be up to the amount of changes that are required - if you eat emotionally I'm guessing that isn't easily changed after the op. My pre-op instructions are to have 800 calories a day for the two weeks before, and 6 weeks on liquids only post-op, it sounds sooo hard!! I'm also very worried that I won't be able to drink enough (I require about 4-6 litres a day - this has been checked and isn't abnormal, just the way my body seems to work). I’m not naïve, and I don’t expect the band to fix everything by itself. I already do lots of exercise (5 hrs badminton, 2 hrs gym, 1.5 hrs walking per week), and managed to give up smoking a few years ago so I know I have some willpower. I guess I see it as an extra tool in my pursuit of a healthy weight rather than a fix-all. I just worry that I’m not capable of it, especially the 8 weeks of incredibly strict regime. Sorry to rant but does I wondered if anyone has any advice? xxxx

I have an autoimmune disorder of Scleroderma (cousin to Lupus. My Rhumatologist said "no". But I did it anyway. I had acid reflux extremely bad and they were afraid the band would make it worse. I have not had a problem since having the band 10-3-08. I was on 2 Prevacid daily prior to banding. Drs. don't always know best! lol

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 . . .

I just learned how to use the quick reply (hee hee hee) I'm at the start of my journey. I go to my first info meeting on 12/11 and i'm very excited. I fought this decision for years but now that i'm in the 300 lb+ range it's time to make some serious life changing decisions. Let me just tell you I am scarde out of my mind, but as I watch shows like the 700 lb man and other eating disorders shows I'm happy that I have decided to do this. I have recently done alot of research on hypothyroidism and found a great site by Mary Shomon called Thyroid Disease Information - Hypothyroidism - Hyperthyroidism - Thyroid Cancer - Autoimmune Disease - Hashimoto's - Graves' - Goiter - Nodules I have learned alot. But it seems that the info came too little too late. I'm ready to make this change for me.

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?

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?

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:

That was the way it was for me too. No one really knew what was going on with me but they did know that it was something. I finally had a spinal which for the most part confirmed that I had MS (DX. 2004). My major concern with my Dx and the Lap Band is that there has been recent advertisements for the Lap Band that state if you have an autoimmune condition you do not qualify for the Lap Band. Have you ever heard this and if so why would they say that????

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.

My surgeon won't perform the band on anyone who has any type of autoimmune disorder because of potential for band rejection. You might want to confirm with your surgeon before you proceed that he/she doesn't feel that's an issue. Having said that, I only have MORE MORE MORE energy when I lose. There was a brief time post op during which I only could have clear liquids (no protein) and frankly I felt bad. That only lasted 1 week and once I added protein in I felt better. However I have ALWAYS done better, energy wise, when eating foods that are high in protein and low in processed carbohydrates. I think your "energy" will depend partly on attitude and partly on what you choose to eat once you have the band. If you have protein, then healthy veggies, then fruit, and finally grains, you should be fine. However again with your CFS and other autoimmune issues, you may react to the band in a totally different way. That would worry me a bit, were I you.

Dear all I’m so glad I’ve found this site! This post may be a bit long, I’m very sorry in advance! My background in brief is this. I am 36 years old and live in the UK. I weigh 17st 12lb, and have a BMI of 39.16. I have had mild chronic fatigue syndrome since I was 15 years old. In the past 6 years I’ve also been diagnosed with an unstable underactive thyroid, and two other autoimmune diseases called ocular myasthenia gravis and premature ovarian failure. My eating history is one of comfort eating when stressed but not complete bingeing. I have had counselling for this and other stuff for a year and have made good progress but no long-term weight loss. I also NEVER get full!! Apparently, a combination of 3 autoimmune conditions and being obese also means that the risk of my getting diabetes is higher than usual. I was referred to a professor in Oxford who while treating me pointed out that losing weight will quite probably help me to alleviate some of my symptoms, but that the conditions I have mean that losing weight successfully would be much more difficult and so he recommended that I be referred for a gastric band. I met with the gastric specialist in Oxford last Monday, they’re really nice, and seemed to feel that I am an ideal candidate, and today I found out that I have been approved for surgery, potentially in January or February 2009. I want to apologise for the next bit. I’ve read a lot of posts today and I know that many people are trying to get a band but not necessarily able to get funding for the op. I really don’t want to appear ungrateful for the opportunity but I just don’t know whether to get it done, my doctors are infinitely more enthusiastic than me. To try and help me decide I’ve drawn up a list of pros and cons that I can think of so far for me of having a gastric band, which are, for me: Pros: Faster weight loss than I could achieve without it, greater chance of maintaining weight loss, decrease medical symptoms, reduce risk of diabetes, solves the problem of never getting full. Cons: Risk of procedure, loss of ability to eat normally with friends in restaurants etc, am already pretty prone to vomiting, can I still get enough nutrition/calories to do a substantial amount of exercise, will I get a loss of energy? The last 'con' is my main question. I was reading a crappy celeb magazine the other day and it had an article about (not an interview with) Fern Britton. It said that she has suffered from greatly reduced energy levels since the op. Now this could be total rubbish and not actually true for her but it really worried me. Having had chronic fatigue for so long the energy I do have is very precious to me. If it came down to a straight choice between the band vs. higher energy and ability to exercise I’d have to choose the latter. Even if you don’t have anything else to comment, please could anyone who’s had the band tell me their experience with energy levels and whether they've been reduced or not? I realise that I will feel puny to start with but it’s the longer term prospect that I am more concerned with. It would be sooooo much help, I’m just not sure what to decide at the moment. Thanks for being patient and reading to the end (hopefully!) x

Ed, I think you are right, your info may be dated. The lap band is a very successful weight loss surgery and I can recommend a book or two (available from Amazon and most likely your local barnes and noble or borders store).... I got my band 8/29 and never had a moment's nausea or vomiting. HOWEVER (caveat) the point of the band is to FORCE Portion Control by restricting how quickly one can eat and how much one can eat. If you try to sit down with a plate of fried chicken or a big juicy steak and chow down like the "old days" (just naming 2 favorite foods of mine here) you are going, once your band is tightened, to be one very unhappy camper. food that can't go through your "stoma" (the small opening to your stomach that is formed by the placement and tightening of the band) will get "stuck". If it can't go on down, it goes back up! That is unpleasant because it involves esophageal spasming, gouts and bunches of thick mucous affectionately called "slime", and an enraged stomach. No bile or acid comes up so it isn't really normal "vomiting" but it is still mighty unpleasant. You can begin to see that, most times, this is caused by user error....if you don't chew at least 30 times before swallowing, if you take too large a bite, or if you are full but keep eating, BAM! up it comes. The big plus of the band, of course, is that you CAN eat steak (especially once you've lost your excess weight) and be full and happy (and healthy) with a much smaller portion that what used to satisfy you. Some people prefer their band super tight and so will be prone to PB and Slime (PB means "productive burp, by the way) Others, like me, will prefer to follow the rules, use a little will power, listen to the old body, and hope to avoid EVER doing that PB thing. Not all vomit, slime, PB. Just some. As to having it removed? Maybe in the early days. Bands are more kindly devices now. They slip less and rarely erode, but the first ones were larger and more rigid and had more concommitant problems. If you (god forbid) get a disease and need "more" nutrition, the band can be loosened (unfill, they call it) and in rare instances where you develop an autoimmune disorder of some sort, the band can be removed. (try that with another bariatric surgery!) Aside from any surgery being risky, the band requires one to change eating habits. (no drinking with meals; it washes food through and negates the positive effects of the band) No carbonated beverages ever (champagne, soda, beer, tonic water) because the gas they cause is misery and can in extremes do damage. If you eat out of boredom etc the band can't stop that; it only curbs true physiologic hunger. The "head" hunger is in your boat. So you can see it may be an effective tool for one to use to lose weight. I liken it to a hammer; it won't build the house unless you pick it up and use it. But for driving a nail, it's very very useful to have it!

I wish we'd hear from Brandy too. I'm getting nervous. I'm going to zhumba in a bit here, so I hope she checks in before then. I'm really hoping I'm still borderline. Crud. I was sure it was going to be really good!! Well, I'll just keep losing more weight and get it under control. What else can I do? Still don't know what the swelling thing is about. I may have to go to my rheumatologist. Argh. It's a real production to get an appointment, and then they just kind of shrug their shoulders and say "well, as you know there's not much we can do for autoimmune problems. Make sure you take your NSAIDS." The good news is that my ANA titer has been way down for the past 2 years, so there doesn't seem to be anything active going on. So I doubt it's related . . .

Welcome, Julie.ann! Welcome, NFaith! Hey Marie, I had severe sleep apnea pre-op and had one of the CPAP contraptions. Since I've lost some weight, I no longer snore and the house has stop complaining so I've been doing fine without the machine lately. I think there is a connection between the lack of sleep and oxygen deprivation from sleep apnea and weight loss, though. Welcome, Cassy! Welcome, Lowbmier! She is stunning! Love it!! Welcome allymb! I have the APS band. I don't think the Realize band was available when I was banded, so I can't speak to that. Eggs, cheese and bbq hamburger -- works for me! In my next life I am coming back as one of your dogs. Way to go, Marcy! Way to go, Ador! I got a good butt kickin' today, too -- feels good! (Of course, I mean that in a totally non-S&M way. Not that there's anything wrong with that. Oh, I better stop here.) Hey Greenie, Congrats! Good to hear from you! Keep us posted on those results, Mini. How's the swelling today? When you say autoimmune and vascular, I get worried. Shit elves -- love it! We used to call a Code Brown. Sung to the Village People Tune, right? LOL Way to go Mini!Time to move on down the clothesline to the thong! I'm feeling a special vibe with Mille -- she's chubby and mean and makes Charlie cry. I like her. When will you hear results? Keep us posted! Tally, I love your grandbabies' names! Please tell your daughter thanks for what she's doing for those old dogs -- that is wonderful!! I can't keep up with you guys anymore, but I still love you all!

I had labs drawn today. We shall see. I have some weird vascular stuff that goes on in my body (autoimmune) and I just never know . . . I can't think I'm low on protein cuz I'm eating a ton of it.

WOW! This is great news, my doctor never said anything about risks regarding banding and autoimmune diseases, but someone here gave me a heads up and told me that their doctor would not do it if the patient has any autoimmune disease. I am looking forward to it and will be so glad to get the weight off so that I can start exercising again and hopefully my breathing will be much better and allow me to do so.

Is there anyone here with Sarcoidosis, Lupus or a serious lung or autoimmune disease? Did you have the surgery and are you experiencing any difficulties because of your autoimmune disease?

Regarding other gastric procedures, I don't want to have any of the others becasue I don't want my intestines reorganized and all that stuff. I am only interested in the band and I do need to loose the weight because having the lung disease, I cannot excise enough to get results. I am out of breath very easily. I've been researching this autoimmune issue with the Lap Band and sure enough it does say talk to your doctor if you have any connective tissue autoimmune disease, any lung disease and others. So I don't want to have problems later but I do want to have the surgery because I believe it will help with a lot of issues that I have. I turned 40 this year and am a single parent of an 8 year old and by having at least 2 serious medical conditions I really wanted to do this. I was told that having the surgery can greatly reduce, if not eliminate the possibilities of having a stroke, heart attack, etc. So it is a double edged sword! I don't know, we'll see what happens. I'm going to do a thread to see if people here have Sarcoid or a serious lung disease and find out their experience is, if any.