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I have hypEr thyroidism, not hypO thyroidism. Hyper is low levels, which can effect weight loss. People with hypo have high levels, which is usually found in skinnier folks- high levels can cause someone to be thin. There are people who go between both types and there are bigger folks that have hypO thyroid conditions. I am on synthroid for mine and get checked periodically.

This may be kind of a strange topic, maybe not but I figure it's worth mentioning if any of you pre-oppers are in a similiar boat. So, about a year and a half ago I was in a car accident that resulted in pretty severe whip-lash (which I never thought was that big a deal until my ordeal) in the last six months I don't have so many problems any more and didn't really think to check off that I had "neck injuries" on the paper work for the anesthiaologist. Boy, I wish I had, but I don't know if it would have made a huge difference. But I'm now almost five days post-op and have been recovering very well and almost have no pain from the actual surgery it's self. However, I've been in EXCRUCIATING pain on the left side of my neck, and have been having severe migrains, I saw my massage therapist (who also happens to be a good friend) the day before surgery to help calm my nerves, and not because I was in any pain, but today she came over to see if she could help ease any of the pain when she discoverd that four of the vertabrae in my neck have been sublocated (twisted totally out of place). Our theory is my neck being in a weird position for a prolonged period of time and being moved around too quickly when they placed the breathing tube in for surgery must have caused this. To make matters worse I had been getting a pretty rough, shooting pain on the same side under my left breast making it hard to get up, or lay down or breathe very deeply, which I assumed was probably gas. But tonight it's gotten so bad I can barely breathe or lay down and we discovered I also have a sublocated rib (which probably came about from the neck vertabrae being twisted since it's all attached the same muscle structure) I don't think that this is due to any negligence on my surgeon and her teams part but it has really set off and reactivated previous problems from whiplash. Happily as far as any pain from the surgery itself I'm in tip top shape and feel great don't even need the pain meds anymore and feel like being more active - except for my neck and rib - they're excruciating and I'm not sure what I'm gonna do if I can't see a chiropractor tomorrow. Ugh! So, while this isn't directly related to being banded, and may seem strange if you don't have these issues, I thought it may be helpful to those of you about to have surgery if you DO previous damage from whiplash or whatever else so you can be sure to let your surgery team know so they can be extra gentle with you and hopefully prevent you from finding yourself in this position. Anyway, hope this cautionary tale helps some one!!!

I just set my date for surgery and got some blood work back showing a really high c-reative level. I emailed Dr. Alvarez's office to ask if I might not be able to have the surgery.... I was hoping for a " well of course you can still have the surgery!" email back and I didn't... I need to wait to hear what the dr says.. soo nervous now.. anyone else with high levels before surgery?

Thanks. Really appreciate the replies. I'm trying not to be so hard on myself I know it's not like the worst thing in the world what I've eaten, and I'm probably still in my calorie range...but it's that feeling of lack of control that's forcing me to take action. I refuse to let food control/beat me anymore. Wheetsin, thanks - good advice. My stats are current. I may avoid the scale until my normal weigh-on on Monday. I haven't been too reactive emotionally to what's been on the scale, so hoping I won't be this time either (regardless of the outcome). But, man, it's this lack of control feeling I'm having which is making me anxious and like I'm wanting to get out of the environment. The food gremlin is a nasty little sh*t!

I'm a revision and I have hypo-thyroidism. I'm 4 mos post op and have lost 52 lbs total and 48 lbs to go. I don't lose as quickly as some, but I also think it's because I have less to lose. This makes a huge difference.

Im not a diabetic however sine being banded 8months ago i have been dealing with low sugars. Its called RHG reactive hypoglycemia for me its when i would eat carbs an not include a protein. So for me i am sticking to a low glycemic index diet an it helps

Unfortunately we cannot change the behavior of others. She is probably very concerned and maybe even miffed that you "did this to yourself". I suggest you find a way in your own head to let these comments pass right by you without being reactive. It's sometimes the same thing we have to do with most negative comments people make regarding our choices. You've done something very proactive for your life. Be proud of that, and over time as you heal, you will be able to resume normal eating in small but healthy portions. Good luck on your journey!!

I don't have hypo I have hyper. I just find the timing strange. But it is what it is and i must deal with it. Having a scan on tuesday

I have hypothyroidism too. I can tell when doses are off. I am thinking its off now. Heart racing lately. I know the signs and symptoms of both hypo and hyper. Maybe this surgery jacks up hormones and changes occur. How long ago did you get banded?

the body will get sued to whgat you are doing- you must move around and switch the foods and cal intake, or you will not lose, Because of weight loss my dr just reduced my thyroid meds, I am hypo- and losing weigth is always an issue, but time for body change,,, cause I am in the plateou!

I'm glad I can help despite some long term medical problems I have had that were a result from the surgery....... Such as ulcers, and reactive hypoglycemia (which is the opposite of diabetes...... My blood sugar can get dangerously low if I eat the wrong things )...... I'm on a super strict diet........ I wouldn't change a thing! When I was once 365lbs, I was 23yrs old and I couldn't walk, I was always stared at, I had high blood pressure, high cholesterol, stress fractures, horrible depression. I couldn't even properly bond with my daughter when she was an infant..... I couldn't hold her. My husband took care of her. I missed out on so much. I studied this surgery inside and out, from top to bottom, right to left..... Weighed it..... And for me it was the answer. I thank my lucky stars. If you ever have questions.... I can probably answer them. Researching this surgery became my life for over a year. I still research it and try to help others because I believe everyone deserves a life of happiness....... It isn't about the number on the scale..l. It's about your health.

No weight loss surgery is perfect for everyone. One has to realize being overweight has its own risks for surgery. The band haters, they seem to focus on the fact that this "foreign obeject" is messing them up ( excuse me what are hundreds of titanium staples?). I have read enough profiles in seven years to read between the lines and figure out a lot of them ambushed themselves. For some reason or another if a sleeve or gastric bypass or a duodenal switch fails there is not as much hate. Even though a lot of them are ruined for life physically (and eventually mentally). Research has shown that a lot more disparaging things are being discovered about the sleeve. The stomach has a lot of nerves and hormones that keep our system in balance. Sleeve surgery was only used in the past for extreme medical emergencies. There must have been a good reason for this. All the yahoo about removing ghrelin, well it has been shown a lot more depression happens when ghrelin is removed. I have also read about a lot of sleeve patients groaning about hunger. The band reduces the size of the opening that food can go through. Gastric bypass does this, but over time it stretches. Also the pyloric valve is bypassed. Food rushes too fast through the digestive system. Reactive hypogylcemia can happen and this can result in seizures. Malnutrition in the bypass and duodenal switch, that is a whole other dissertation. Monthly iron infusions for the rest of your life, and how many times have I heard people who don't know any better go on about band maintainance. How about iron infusion maintainance. I can go on and on, but I won't. Take care everyone.

I am so proud of all you for all the great posts. I agree and sadly most have other issues other than weight and are in denial. At least I am no longer in denial for the need for help. Here are a few quotes I like and want to share with you. God loves us just the way we are and we should too. " To laugh often and much; To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded." Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803 - 1882) American Essayist & Poet "Just because I can't do it today, doesn't mean I won't be able to do it ever!" " Blessed are the flexible for they will not get bent out of shape!" From Buck the horse whispers foster mother "Just because I can't do it today, doesn't mean I won't be able to do it ever!" Arthur Boorman he lost a lot of weight " You know you've got to exercise your brain just like your muscles." Will Rogers "The mind is like a parachute. It doesn't work if it is not open.” Frank Zappa Be proactive not reactive. It's not how many times u have fallen- its how many times you pick yourself up that matters! Everyone has at least one issue/regret that needs help.If you need help admit it with no shame. Many are in denial. I was. Life is short so IF you disagree with someone Then it may be better to just agree to disagree. Me

Hi everyone and Sombra1718. I was banded last Friday and YES; my throat hurts!! I have asthma and reactive lung disease so my oxygen levels really desaturated during surgery. sugar free Popsicles and pain meds have helped. I'm now alternating OTC meds with the narcotics. Sorry to ask such a personal question but have you guys had a bowel movement yet? With only liquids for a week, I'm not sure what to expect. Also, I started the Calcium chews and those are a huge treat! Yesterday was the first day I started to feel hungry. The full liquids and high Protein have satiated my appetite. Each day is better and better!!

Hi I hope results will come back to normal soon…I am hypo as well.. I think the issue is not the lap band surgery itself the issue is that with unbalanced thyroid level you will not be able to lose that much weight if any so for me it is waste of money and time if you do it with a high level of thyroid you will struggle to lose a pound…Actually I never been over weight in my whole life.. I was always 132 pounds till my thyroid and pregnancy take place and I am now 240 pounds… So Thyroid really affects your metabolism if it is unbalanced. You can go ahead with the surgery and your doc maybe will not stop the surgery but I were you I would wait till my thyroid level is balanced as most of the weight lose will be in your first year so don’t waste this year because your thyroid is not balanced.. For the medication it has to be daily first thing in the morning same time daily and no vitamins with them especially Iron and calcium and never eat anything that has calcium 2 hrs after the medication (milk, cheese ,…) and not to eat for an hr in general.. some people taking the medication at night before bed if they can’t wait for multivitamins, breakfast and coffee for that long ask your doc about this option… not a good idea to forget your bills because this is you have stressing your body one day you give your body the hormone another day not… At the end don’t worry I am sure everything will be all right.. every time I got pregnant my level goes dramatically up and it goes back to normal when I change my dose…

Armour is short acting, at least the t4 part. That is why there is twice daily dosing. So you really don't have any fall back if you miss a dose. But if you were put on it due to conversion issues, then that is what you need. Or levoxyl and cytomel. But ti would be the same idea of NOT being able to miss a dose or three. In medicine, there is no one size fits all. Do they know why your TSH went that crazy? If it were me, I would want to know that before proceeding with surgery. If the cause is something that needs intensive treatment, that should be handled first. WLS can wait. Or, do you already know why you are Hypo, and you were non-compliant with your meds? For example, I had radiation on my thyroid, it no longer functions. If I stop taking my levoxyl, my pituitary will start screaming for thyroid hormones..the TSH goes up. And up, And UP. I don't know how long it would take to reach 96, that is pretty extreme. But if mine were that high, I would KNOW the cause if I were not taking my meds. I would want to be assured by my PCP or endocrinologist that I was OK for this surgery with my TSH that high. Did they do a full thyroid panel? It could be that the TSH is wonky, but your ACTUAL thyroid levels in your blood are normal.

Well the week before last I went to my PNP and got lab work done and my TSH was 96.5 (Normal 1-5ish)! She said she is not sure how I am even moving around right now. What really sucks is my level was actually right on about 6-7 months ago on 274mcg of levothyroxine but my old PNP made a mistake and told me that I was Hypo again, but really my TSH number was low. So I decided to switch from levothyroxine to Armor Thyroid (60mg twice a day) and kept forgetting to take it regularly. Anyway True Results re-drew my thyroid levels yesterday and were supposed to call me back today to let me know what they were. They didn't and now they are closed until Monday morning and I am left worrying if I will even have surgery on Thursday. The real kicker is I started my preop diet today...as if this isn't hard enough! Anyone else had experience with True Results and high TSH levels? My patient advocate said she would still try to get it approved because the Dr. normally doesn't care as long as it's not something that will affect your actual surgery.

Hi I hope all went well with your first fill. Mine will be the 18th of June. I was banded the 16th of May and I too can see the port and I can also feel the band and I hope it goes down as well. They say it depends on how big you are in the stomach area. Does that mean eventually everyone will see it as they lose weight? Just thinking out loud..lol.. I hope the fill gives you some type of restriction as that seems to be a key issue with most people getting a fill. On the cost of them...here in WA State I am paying 375.00 with fleuroscopy and if I need an adjustment on it withing 10 days..150.00 or 175.00 can't remember precisely. Guess that isn't too bad as I see it being done so much more expensively. It's only a hypo with saline..some offices don't do fleuro they just blind stick so I don't understand why they charge as they do...supply and demand and that is horrible..so I hope my 9.5 band is filled well and quickly as that is costly. Good luck to you ..let us all know how it went...we ALL want to know..but each of us is different and some will feel resticted where someone else needs more or less to feel that green zone...

What maintainance? When I read about possible monthly iron infusions because of anemia and malnutrition, beri beri, nerve damage (numbness)in your extremeties, reactive hypoglcemia, seizures, strictures, ulcers etc., etc. associated with the bypass surgery, all of the emergency room hostpital stays, doctor visits those problems entail, I will do my lap band maintainance, happily. You are going to have monthly check up anyway the first year. That is when you get your fills. I haven't had a fill in years. Please do your research then make an informed decision.

Thank you for taking the time to post a well reasoned, well written, balanced message. It sure sounds like there is something salvagable from this mess I've gotten myself into. Would you mind sharing the fb sites that have helped? I ditched fb for many reasons but would reactivate to find these helpful forums. I shared your msj with my niece, who is looking to become sleeved herself, and she too hopes this becomes something we can look forward to in our lives. Thanks again!

I have reactive hypoglycemia since my surgery. If I eat anything too carb heavy, sugary, or fatty (mayo) It'll make me have all sorts of nasty symptoms such as headache, heart flutters, pounding heartbeat, weakness, blurred vision, dizziness, sleepiness, and sliming. I have to really watch that my eating is balanced, and then I feel great. I wonder if you had a touch of this? My doctor says it is because the smaller stomach empties faster into the intestines than the normal stomach, which means the body may produce too much insulin, swinging you low after you eat.

I know what you mean Sombra1718, I thought the same pre surgery. I've had a healthy appetite my whole life and could not for a moment believe an Optifast Protein shake could fill me up. But it does. I started my weightloss journey a bit differently to many on here as I started to replace meals 6 months ago and lost about 25 pounds over that time so trained my body to get used to hunger and knowing that it was ok to be hungry. Being diabetic I was terrified of a hypo but actually the excitement of seeing my blood sugars in the normal zone was inspiring and motivating to keep it up. But now I'm banded because being a realist, it's easier to lose weight over summer when salad food is easy, exercise is easier, etc etc and I knew over winter I would struggle so I wanted the extra insurance of the band to keep me going. So far I've lost 55 pounds overall and 13.8 since surgery on 14th May. And I don't feel hungry. You will rock this!

My thyroid blanked out on me while I was pregnant and we didn't catch it until 2 years later. I remember the end of the day feeling bone-crushingly tired. My levels have been played with and my old doctor (insert bad words here) would never listen to me. My new doctor is the best, she is young and willing to listen and help me however she can. She got my levels up to high end of normal, and she told me that she really wants me to pursue lap band because it will be hard for me to loose it on my own. She whipped up my referral right quick as soon as I said I think that's the way I should go. So far no one has said anything to me about my hypo being a problem as far as WLS is concerned. The main concern is scar tissue from 2 c-sections and a gallbladder removal and the fact that my BMI is so high that any surgery is a risk.

Hello all! I am new to this site, but so far i love it! Everyone has such great advice and are so supportive! I am 27 years old, 2 kids and am a nurse at a local hospital. I have been overweight my whole life and been looking into wls for about 5 years. My insurance just changed at work and by the grace of God, WLS is covered!!!!! I am 5'3 and currently 247....Yikes! I am not only having wls to lose weight, but i am doing it because I am way to yound to have the health issues that I do! Just in the past year I have been put on BP meds, and an anti-depressant. My labs showed high LDL and high C-reactive protein. I am too young for this!!! Can't wait until the fall so I can get my surgery date scheduled and get my life back!!

I agree with all the previous posters...you definitely have to be in the right frame of mind prior to surgery. You have to be ready to change your entire life and you need to be honest with yourself. Banding has been one of the best things I have ever done BUT I considered getting it for years, himmed and hawed about it, made appointments then backed out because I wasn't mentally there yet. I'm glad I waited to a degree because I was absolutely ready, mentally and physically. I knew people who had the surgery and failed for various reasons but I knew I was different and I would be damned if I was going to have surgery and fail...and I haven't. I have had a few episodes of vomiting/regurgitating BUT I could link it always to either what I ate, how I ate or reactive swelling after a fill. GL with whatever you decide but don't let other people make up your mind for you, do the research and make whatever decision is best for you. Best of luck!!