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I haven't heard about the band being linked to RA. However, having RA is what kept me from pursuing the band. My insurance said they wouldn't approve the band due to my existing autoimmune disease (my immune system would eventually attack the band), so it was sleeve or bypass. I am going to be sleeved this month. Good Luck with your appeal.

There's not a day that goes by that I don't fret about the pain and nausea from the surgery. Like CrankyMagpie I too have autoimmune arthritis. Let me must say that the joint pain form that is horrible on good days, and when it's cold or it rains it's 10x worse. So I say to myself, "self, you handle that pain from the Arthritis without taking any heavy duty pain meds, what makes you think you can't handle a few little cuts on you tummy and some gas like you ate a whole pot of beans without chewing". The answer is I can. I can do this. All of us preop folks, we got this. Post op champions, you guys are awesome. You all made it, we all can make it. Fear is just False Expectations Appearing Real. Kick fear in the a__

@@tapslp It's been quite awhile since I've had prednisone but maybe if you have healthy alternatives to eat when the starving feeling comes - you'll not gain or gain less weight. Eat some cucumbers & hummus instead of chips, have a SF popsicle instead of ice cream. I wish you luck! Autoimmune disease sucks!

Hi everyone, This is my first time on this site, and I'm not even sure if I'm posting a question in the right area! Over the past few weeks I have SERIOUISLY been considering the LAP-BAND® surgery. I feel like once I decided I've had ENOUGH being extremely overweight, this surgery and new way of life is all I can think about! I've been reading up on any information I can find over the past few weeks, however I can not find a definite answer to one important question I have. I was diagonised with Graves Disease, (hyperthyroidism) about six months ago. (I'm one of the lucky 5% that GAINS weight...) I'm taking thyroid medication right now. Also, I was lucky enough to finally confirm I have PCOS. No excuses... but obviously it is extremely hard for me to lose weight! I'm nervous I won't be approved for the LAP-BAND® since I have a Thyroid disease, which is technically autoimmune. Was/is anyone out there in the same boat as me? ANY information or guidance is greatly appreciated. Thanks! Marie :thumbup:

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.

I have an incredible tempurpedic with a bajillion pillows. But I also have a joint autoimmune condition so it’s probably a shitty combo of less padding and my ankylosing spondylitis. It sucks but I’ll take it over being fat and sweaty 24/7 lol

So sorry to hear this. I had possible gastroparesis prior to my sleeve gastrectomy. My surgeon told me than often times the gastroparesis would resolve post surgery. I never went for the scan to get a definitive diagnosis, however when I had an EGD months prior to surgery for continued GI issues, the GI doc told me I most likely had gastroparesis because they found food in my stomach when they did the EGD. In any case, are you on any meds that might slow digestion? I have a number of autoimmune issues including lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia and because I sometimes have to take pain meds to deal with these conditions, I feel that the narcotic pain relievers may be the culprit. I try very hard to avoid them if possible. I hope you find relief from your gastroparesis. Good luck!

Give or take a symptom that's how I feel when I'm dumping. How is your eating, plan wise? It may behoove you to, and I hate saying this, keep an honest food log to see if there are any consistent types of food that show up. Post nasal drip may be both a symptom and a cause. Usually this is in relation, for me, to not eating. Often related to stress or fatigue. There are several intestinal issues that can result in your symptoms. Heck, constipation can do it. Now that I ponder it, give or take a symptom it sounds like a psoriatic arthritis flare. Just about any autoimmune disease can have these symptoms. I wouldn't take a chance. I would be talking to a medical professional, perhaps more than one if the cause doesn't jump out. Don't give up until you have an answer and resolution.

I'm so sorry for your loss! I had my surgery at 59 and I can identify with the recovery process. I had literally no pain and in fact after surgery I had to look to see if they had done it. However I have Liver Disease from autoimmune disorder. Recovery was especially hard . It took me the better part of 2 months to get back to normal without feeling like I just couldn't do another thing or walk another step. Fatigue which is part of the disease issue of mine was terrible in compounding it with surgery. But after my recovery, wow what a difference. I had energy that I had never had before and felt so good. I too want to see my grandkids get married, graduate college etc. I know both of us are doing this for the right reasons..

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!

I was also diagnosed with an autoimmune disease after being banded Mine is called pemphigus it is a blistering disease of the skin and mucus membranes. Was told the trauma of the band surgery caused this to come out. Was put of steriods. Well needless to say that was the end of my weightloss. Have maintained but have not loss anything in the last year. I'm going for a fill tomorrow hopefully it will jumpstart some weightloss. As for my disease it is under control but I always think what if I removed my band would things be different my doctor doesnt think the removing the band would change things but who knows......

Let me start by saying that I was told to have this surgery because of autoimmune medical issues and side effects of steroids NOT that I was an overeater. The whole journey to approval was doctors saying that this is hormonal and less so a result of behavior. I gained 40 pounds on 2 weight loss medications. I'm not really eating meals or solid or pureed foods. My post op plan says to consume 3 protein shakes/day and I usually only get one. I don't usually get 800 because I can't tolerate anything. I'm vegetarian and am making an effort to eat mostly protein with low calorie/fats. Pre-op I lost 15 pounds in 2 weeks on a liquid diet of fewer than 800 calories. AND I WAS NEVER HUNGRY--EVER! Now I dread eating and never feel that full feeling--just sick. I feel more hunger now. I feel better when I don't eat, so I hardly ever do. I was told only walking. No other exercise is allowed. I walk a lot since I live in NYC. I still have severe pain in my umbilical incision with certain movements. So, I actually don't eat 800 calories/day, however, that is extremely calorie restricted and should result in weight loss even without the surgery.

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 used Dr. Garth Davis for my band and removal. When I was looking around for another doctor to revise me to a Sleeve I went to several different seminars. With Dr. Eric Wilson I did not think he was listening to me and my medical problems (6-8 different autoimmune disease), it was like I was a walking bank to help pay for the vacation he was planning. With Dr. Marvin- he listen to me about my medical problems, he really cares about his clients. I also like that he was a trauma surgeon who could also do the critical care if needed. I know when I was re-admitted to the hospital 11 post op due to a temp of 101.6 with a possible leak or an infection I received the best care. Just an FYI- when Dr. Davis removed my band in 12/09 he left part of the band tubing behind. I wondered why I was still having some of the problems after the band was removed- found out when I got Sleeved.

I am trying to find the group, but I'm unable to do so. The group link has changed... try this: http://www.bariatricpal.com/groups/357-autoimmune-sleevers/

Hi there! I just created an autoimmune support group for us! Please follow and post there. I keep losing this thread because it's not in a forum. I sure hope to see all of us there. Here's the link http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/groups/show/269-autoimmune-sleevers/

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.

Leo, last time I put Neosporin under a bandage, when I removed it there were little red Water blisters under the entire area... I'm thinkin' Neosporin allergy. It's not the actual incision that's infected though. The incision closes over and heals fine, but then the liquid from under the skin forms like a huge blister that needs to be lanced and drained. The liquid is slowing down, and at the moment the scar is mostly flat... I just hope it stays flat and doesn't poof out again. Alex, I've had a few surgeries before. One was horrifying, and they never figured out what went wrong (radial kerototomy to correct my vision.) That was 5 years ago. The doctor that did the surgery was so worried about me because I couldn't open my eyes for over 6 months witout being in sheer agony, that he spent his own money to fly me to San Diego to see other specialists. Nobody ever figured it out, but now that I have the sarcoid diagnosis, that was probably my eye surgery. I had back surgery 20 years ago, but maybe that's before I got the sarcoid? No problem there. Same with tonsils and wisdom teeth, cyst removal, small stuff. I've been suspicious of the sarcoid all along. The scary thing is that I told Dr. Lopez of that I had Sarcoid Disease before my surgery. I know he acknowledged it because when I said it, Carmen looked at me quizically, so Dr. Lopez told her "Sarcoidosis." However, I was never offered any Inamed information. I did not know that there could be a problem due to my autoimmune disease. Dr. Lopez fluffed over my Sarcoidosis like it was nothing. That's the reason I worry so much about my band. People with certain auto immune diseases aren't allowed to have the band. However, there's not enough info about Sarcoid to know if this is one of them. From what I understand, it effects the lungs and eyes but people have told me not to worry about my stomach. I know that I have a hard time getting rid of colds or bronchitis, which I avoid like the plague.

@@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 chose the sleeve, because the complications and malabsorption with bypass always bothered me. When I heard the sleeve was proven effective I knew it was the one for me if I was going surgery route. I first attempted to lose on my own a few years back. I also have hormonal conditions such as autoimmune thyroid and PCOS, which lead me to believed I had malabsorption issues just from things I noticed with how I felt. They did confirm when they did Vitamin levels that I was deficient in several and close to being deficient in one. I feel more comfortable giving my body the change to absorb as much as it can by still having my stomach and not re-routing GI tract and lose/maintain healthy weight at the same time. Plus, I've never been fixated on being an unrealistic weight goal or loss. I am very realistic - my goal was in line with the weight range my dietitian gave me which will still have me in the obese category technically for my height... I'm looking to be healthier, more mobile, and have more strength not to be thin per se or a certain pant size. Lastly, I had hoped to avoid as much distress of loose skin, and thought I'd be better with sleeve since my end goal after surgery would still be quite overweight. I've lost around 7% so far of my body weight at a normal, healthy rate, and honestly I've already started noticing changes with my skin. When I lost significant weight (almost 100lbs) a few years back I had virtually no loose skin except an unnoticeable to others amount on my stomach. As I lose now I am coming to terms with the likelihood I will require some skin removal, and should start savings now. I had hoped I could just be okay with it and wear it proudly, but I'm actually having skin irritation already just from around 25lb loss. Each weight loss journey a person has is different. This experience is so much different from my last one just a few years ago. And as everyone pointed out you can gain with either option which is often shown on weight loss documentaries. I was told by my program's psychologist to prepare for a 10-20lb weight gain after you hit your goal weight, and to set a limit you will not allow yourself to go over i.e. 200lbs, so if you reach that point you reevaluate yourself and get back on track, because weight will always be an issue for each of us, and everyone that loses through whatever means has to stay on top of it or it'll become uncontrollable. Sent from my SM-G530T using the BariatricPal App

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.

everyones differant thats for sure..I have hashis..Im on armour for thyroid. 1 side of thyroid is dead and shriveled up the other is enlarged..I was going back on forth from hypo to hyper...now stable on ty med..increasing my calories with non ff items and mainly proteins have worked for me. my plan is more ketogenic with high protein...so far so good. I feel for us with sluggish metabolisms . the ff/low fat/sf diet is what got myself where I was but this isn't the case for everyone though. have you had a complete thyroid panel done lately? I get mine done throughout the yr...just throwing this out there not for sure it'll help or not. I understand the physical limitations I struggle with several autoimmune diseases including fibro it can be brutal some days. I noticed you said a sf/ff greek yogurt? I have been settling for the chobani greek it was the lowest on sugar per serving organic and I eat the kroger carbmaster brands their really good. the chobani is what I make the hubs protein shakes/smoothies out of. I'll have one here and there but barely theres to much sugar for me. the only fruit I keep on hand handy is the green grapes their easy to have. Do you use MFP? maybe start using it again to add up everything and kinda see where your at? maybe? IDK...Im sure you are...just throwing that out there..do you think maybe cutting out the rice cakes even though you dont eat often might make a differance in not such a struggle? I can't have grains or white processed items they were my worst enemy for me. another suggestion thats all...congrats on maintaining I hope I'm as successful as you are! thats wonderful! keep us posted