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I had a post-op appointment today and my doc decided I was ready for a small fill. He seemed please with my 12pd weight loss in the last 8 weeks and commented his hypo-thyroid patients are slower in weight loss. It has been so hot here in Eastern, NC these last few days. Heat index has been 110 degrees this week and to be honest, I have not felt much like eating nor riding my bike or walking. Have any of you noticed weather affects the band? Just realized what the word Diet stands for, "Do I Eat Today?" Just kidding!

Fessie, I am hypo-thyroid also and I definitely feel your pain in how slow our weight loss can be. I have lost abt the same amount as you and am 8 weeks post op. I am just thankful to finally be losing weight. What was getting me was seeing people post 25-35 pds lost that were banded around the same time as myself. These same people were posting about eating oreo Cookies and pizza, while I was staying strictly to the band diet, portion sizes and excersing. Even in the early stages on a liquid diet I lost very little. I am over being bothered by that now and will just be thankful for my pound here and there. I started a post last week for hypothyroid bandsters you should read. Shirley54 had some very encouraging things to say and shared her slow weight loss as well.

Hello to All, I will be 6 weeks post-op tomorrow and have only lost 12 lbs. I know that averages out to the 2 lbs per week that my doctor wants me to lose, but it just seems like for the past week since I got my first fill that things have slowed way down. I am losing inches and that is a good thing, but would love to see some more lbs go away forever. I am measuring my food, eating between 800-1000 calories with lots of Protein, drinking almost a gallon of Water a day and working out in some way everyday. I go back to the doctor on June 14th, I assume for a 2nd fill. I am also hypo-thyroid and realize that this will affect my weight loss so my PCP is keeping a very good check on my levels and dosages to try and minimize my thyroid destroying this weight loss effort like it has so many others. Would greatly appreciate any suggestions on what I might be needing to change or add. Thanks in advance and thanks for all the great people on this forum for sharing their ideas and experiences with all of us newbies.

I was diagnosed with Graves Disease 19 years ago. Instead of having the surgery to remove my gland I had the radioactive iodine treatment. It did not work the first time so I had to go through a second time but with a higher dose. So now I have my gland but it is a dead. When I first went on thyroid medicine they gave me synthroid. It just was not controlling my thyroid levels. Then they switched me to Armour Thyroid which was great. I did so well everything even'd out. But now for the last couple years I can no longer get Armour. They say that the manufacture no longer produces it. So I am back on synthroid trying to get my thryroid level under control but they are still really high. I was told that due to my hypo thyroidism that if I lost 1 pound a week that was doing really good. I was banded on 4-28-11. So far so good but they tell me that it is probably alot of Water weight. Well I will take all the water weight loss I can get. We all know this process is really hard but the people that do not have a thyroid problem have no idea how much harder it is for us folks with a thyroid problem. So good luck to all of the other hypo thyroid bandsters. We will get there just may takes us twice as long.

My weight loss is so slow. I can't help but get discouraged. I am excerising, eating the recommended foods and drinking my water. I was banded 03/30/2011, my pre-op weight was 215 pds. I had a fill 04/30/2011 (not sure how much fill). My current weight is 205 pds. I am petite, so I need to lose about 90-100 pds. I know I did not gain it overnight, but hoped for more progress by now.

YES. HYPERthyroid. NOT HYPO. I know what I have(believe me-I've been dealing with this for over 4 years..lol..) and what I'm talking about. I realize that hypothyrodism is usually associated with the obese, yet there are more people than you think who are overweight and have hyperthyroidism.I REFUSE to take irraidiated iodine(which my doc NOW understands why I will not..) just to "kill" my thyroid and make me dependent on Synthroid for the rest of my life(also, I've seen and heard what can happen to a person with hypothyroid, who doesn't take their medication. I'll pass..) So, TRUST me guys, I KNOW what I have. I just wanted to know if anyone is dealing with it and what they've had to do to get their band. *sorry about the rather cranky tone, but it's frustrating that people assume I don't know my own diagnosis(and this happens ALOT..)just because they've never met an overweight person with hyper before.. tamp='1305766138' post='1615359'] HYPER? That is not normally associated with obesity, HYPOthyroidism or Hashimoto's disease is...are you sure that's not what you're talking about? I do have hypothyroidism, have the band, lost 30 lbs, and still have hypothyroidism....did you know you can take iodine for thyroid dysfunction? I think it's sold as potassium iodine....

Synthroid for me won't absorb into the system at all. With Blood Tests I would be asked if I was even taking the Medication... Of course I was, but, it did not show up. So they put me on Generic Synthroid, and I felt terrible. So with the blood work, they now said I have both Hyper, and Hypo Thyroid. So I put it in the hands of a specialist, because it didn't sound good to me. He seems to be a good Dr., but if this up and down keeps up, then I have a feeling that this Thyroid will someday come out.

hi, i have been both hyper and hypo,i actually gained weight being hyper also.the Dr said there was a small chance that could happen and i was one of the lucky ones lol. i had thyroid cancer when i was in my early 20's and will be on meds the rest of my life.As long as they can regulate your levels,it shouldnt be a problem at all. I have always been on sythroid and havent had a problem other than some Dr's over the years not knowing what theyre doing.

I have been hypo since i was 13, that is 26 years! Since my sleeve, my level of synthroid has been adjusted 1 time, in 6 months! Prior to the sleeve, it was being adjusted every 3 months. We could just not get it right. I have to say, that losing the initial weight was really easy, a lot easier than with the band, but I am stuck at the last 15 to go for about 2 1/2 months now. But that has NOTHING to do with my thyroid, it has to do with my carb monster and my inability to follow the rules. I have so much energy, it is sick sometimes, my husband doesn't know what to do with me anymore, i am always on the go instead of always on the couch! Life is so much better, and I am now down from 150mcg to 118mcg. It is amazing!!! And my PCP is very happy with my numbers now.

I finally had my first fill this past Saturday ~ 2 1/2 CC's. There are a couple of reasons why I wasn't able to gett a fill sooner.... 1) my insurance would only cover it if it was at least 90 days after surgery... and 2) I was going on vacation... and my Dr. didn't want me traveling across the country for my first fill (just in case I would be too tight). So........... this past month I was totally stalled. It was pretty frustrating... plus I found myself to be REALLY hungry. Well, so far the fill seems to be working.. and I'm not hungry. My Dr. has me on liquids for 2 weeks... YES ... 2 weeks. Seems everyone here is only on liquids for a couple of days. Well.... I asked why.. and they told me that they have found it very successful in "jump starting" the weight loss again. I have a hypo-thryroid... so I definately could use a "jump start". I'm gonna give it my best shot. So far.... so good. If a few more days go by and I find myself craving solids... I'll call my Dr. and see what he says. I also have to admit that prior to my fill, I was able to eat everything and anything. On vacation, I found myself going back to "BAD" habits. So, maybe, if nothing else, the 2 weeks on liquids will get me back on the right track.

I'm 54 and have a hypo-thyroid. The band has given me hope to finally loss weight!!! And..... it seems to be working!!! I'm walking 3 -4 times a week; eat 800 - 1200 calories per day. I'm feeling great... but still have a long way to goo. Never tooo old to get healthy and fit. I was banded in December . I found that I wasn't losing for almost a month and finally got my first fill yesterday. (for some reason, my insurance is pretty strict about the timing of fills in order to get it covered) My Doc tells me that I've only just begun by journey and that once I hit the "sweet" spot with the perfect amount of fill, I'll surely be successful!

I'm almost 2 years out, and I can tell you that my sleeve has not stretched that much, and I've been drinking soda for over a year without any ill effects on my weight loss. Also, there is not enough tissue left behind to stretch the stomach back out like there is with the stretchy pouch and stoma. You can easily stretch your pouch and stoma (the opening from the stomach to intestines) Dogg pretty much put out there my reasonings for choosing sleeve over RNY for my revision from the band. If you are on obesityhelp.com, you should check out the revision forum to see just how many RNY patients are seeking revisions from RNY to ERNY or DS because of pouch/stoma issues and major regain. And, now there are 2 (5 years out) RNY patients that are converting to the sleeve because of reactive hypoglycemia and they have to get rid of the bypass.

I am the same I have hypo thyroid and wondering how it is going to affect my weight loss! G

Fair enough. I agree, people do have to eat to live and people don't have to do heroin to live, but eating more food than our bodies need is a choice. That is correct. Unless we choose to live on Artificial Nutrients, or Some other way... As far as being over weight.. Not everyone is a addict, some have Medical Problems. Mine started at the age of 4 months ! I began to get "BLOWN UP". Only to learn later that I had a Fluid RETENTION problem. So they put me on Water pills about 2 yrs. ago, and I am still on them. Also found a extremely HYPO THYROID. I am just now getting on medication for that. So with the band, and the Meds, and control. This will work, and I will do this. Just wanted to add that I had a PARASTIC TWIN inside me, found out with the removal of the gallbladder, and exploratory. It was attached at the intestines, and if it would have been on the outside? We would have been conjoined twins. The problem was no one new about this, and I was for ever sick. As a result parents, and Grandparents were forever stuffing something in my mouth so I would get nutrition, and Vitamins, and be Healthy. Well, it didn't work ! the twin still got it all, and I still got sick. When the surgeon found it in my 30s, I was already stuffing all kinds of stuff in my mouth, because of a learned habit, and everything tasted so fantastic "ADDICTION" I believe. He was shocked, I thought I was pregnant with twins, then even still under Anesthesia, I thought he was crazy, until he brought me the pics with my name on them. I almost threw up. It was terrible. He told me I would be better now. Well he was right. I barely get sick, but the love for food was always there. What to do.... My oldest son was playing catch with a baseball, and he threw when I was not looking, and broke my nose. I can't taste anything, and can barely smell bleach. So the specialist said forget it ! ! ! That's nerve damage. So now my hang up on food is over. I'm just telling my story, but I don't have a thing for it anymore. I do believe in Food Addiction, but I also know that complex medical problems can cause anything to happen. So now I am waiting to see my surgeon next week, and see if my turtle moves. That is a big deal to me...

Welcome! My weight gain came on with hypo-thyroidism also. Welcome to the group! My surgery is April 8th.

Hi meggiep! Glad you mention it's coumadin...whole different animal. When it comes to razor cuts, there is no way to assess how superficial the cut is until we see the patient in the ER. If I were you I would tell your friend to go to his PCP and have his PT/PTT times checked (coagulation times). There is a possibility that he may have to have his dose adjusted. Just a thought. Remember...preventive medicine always beats reactive medicine!!! Best,

For those interested in learning more about why low carb works, you might check out "Why We Get Fat" by Gary Taubes. Basically, he makes a case that many obese people have a metabolic disorder that doesn't allow them to process carbs correctly. As a result, we gain weight, suffer from hypo/hyperglycemia, become insulin resistant, etc. I do more than just low carb (defined as less than 60gm of carbs per day). I also avoid grains, fruits, dairy and starchy vegetables as they have a very dramatic and immediate impact on my blood sugar. I do not have an allergy or sensitivity to wheat, but it certainly has made a difference. Not only am I now losing about 2 lb per week instead of the 'barely' 1 lb, but all of the things attributed to chronic fatigue (which I think is just a diagnosis given when they've ruled everything else out) are completely gone. Even my arthritis has lessened in intensity. .

I saw my ENDO today and, according to them, I have lost 20 lbs sincy my last visit there (in DEC). I got some other info about HYPO and lab band. They said that we need to be on the lookout for the jittery, anxious, fast hear beat, palpatations feeling because it is very easy to fall into the HYPER range for every 15-20 lbs lost. Make sure that you are seeing your endo regularly. Mine won't let me go past 3 months on regulated meds and 1 month on changed meds! I will have the official and post the weight loss count on Wednesday when I see my WLS!

I have been struggling with hypothyroidism for the past 6 years....still trying to get levels evened out! My Endocrineologist was very supportive and my Bariatric doctor said I would have NO PROBLEM with hypo and the band. I can still take my meds (they are small enough), but you do have to take caution when eating anything with Calcium within 3 hours of taking your meds....that makes Protein shakes something that I have in the afternoon or evening! It has been a great experience so far! Good luck!

Wow, long time since I've posted. Winter has gotten the best of me, was diagnosed with SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) and its time to get the winter weight off. Will post later when I have more time, just wanted to reactivate my journal!

I am severely HYPO with no function at all. i am under the impression that as you loose weight, there is less of you to medicate. BUT, it all boils down to your TSH numbers and your t-3/t-4 balance. I get tested at least once a year. Nothing makes you feel worse than an imbalance. But, i am told I will never get better.

I am also hypo - I keep taking my syntroid

Hyperthyroidism certainly can make people lose weight, it's often one of the main signs because excess thyroid hormone increases the basal metabolic rate. That is of course unless they increase their caloric intake to match, which some people do because they get hungrier. Similarly, people who are hypo often gain weight, have trouble losing it, and then can lose some when they begin to receive thyroid hormone treatment. However - if they are treated back to "normal" levels the meds won't "make" them lose weight, just make it possible if they restrict calories & exercise. http://www.thyroid.org/patients/brochures/Thyroid_and_Weight.pdf

I am kind of confused as to why you would tell people your weightloss was due to being "diagnosed" wth hypothyroidism? I have hypothyroidism and that is exactly why I chose to get this surgery. Neither hypo or hyperthyroidism make you lose weight, and not drastically; I have been treated for both for over six years now. I just found that interesting that you would say that since the disease makes you do the exact opposite.

Hi everyone! Welcome Nicole, glad to have you here. Ready4, welcome! Keep up the good work! One word of caution I give about setting a number goal by a certain date. If it doesn't happen, don't beat yourself up. Sometimes you can do EVERYTHING right and still not lose an ounce. It can be very frustrating, and annoying. Just ask ElfiePoo, right, Elfie? I've seen people set a goal of say 6 pounds lost in a month. It is reasonable, yes, but when they 'only' lose 5, they say they are a failure. NO, they are NOT. They lost 5 pounds!!! Rosey, welcome to you, too. All you can do is what you can do. I understand fibro makes exercise hard...but just a short walk is a good start, when you are feeling well enough to do it. Your losses may be slower, but do your best. Is your thyroid being treated? If you are on replacment hormones and your levels are normal then you should not be hypo. (Your diagnosis is Hypothyroidism, but if treated properly then your thyroid is operating normally and should not be much of a factor in weight loss). If you are indeed still hypo, go see your doctor and get the dose adjusted. I have a very long history of thyroid problems. Elcee, you've been on my mind a lot this week. Hope your son's surgery comes out well. Shammah, does being unfilled make you appreciate your band? This is a serious question. Next Tuesday is my 3 year Bandiversary. I KNOW my band works and it works wonders. But things are just "normal" for me now. I often try to think back to my appetite pre-banding and I honestly cannot remember. It is as though I have always been like this. Leigha, nice to have you back after your taxes...was afraid you might have gone to jail when you were done cheating on them! Sorry I've been MIA lately. MIL is slowly deteriorating. DH and I have been doing a lot of talking in the evenings, and I don't want to be rude by being on the computer. He needs me right now. He has 3 siblings. His brother who supports his arguments for her care lives in Las Vegas. They believe she should be moved to hospice care and accept the inevitable in as much comfort as medical science can provide. Her PCP is in agreement and spoke at length about it at her appointment yesterday. His two sisters who are local feel that the doctors should be able to cure her and don't accept that she is in her final days. Mom is in agreement with the sisters. So unless something the doctor said sinks in, she'll keep getting rushed to the hospital to fix things that cannot be truly fixed. One of his sisters normally comes to appointments with him, but yesterday she could not. The other will not go, why I do not know she doesn't work, but demands that we tell the doctor that he, "needs to address this issue and that issue." Uh, no...he needs to address what he considers the priority. She has a vested interest in Mom staying alive as she lives in the second house on the lot for $250.00 a month. The other sister is about to lose her house and is considering moving in with Mom. DH said she might reconsider that as she will most likely have to move right back out if Mom passes. She says why? With my share I can stay...... Huh? What? yes, you have a quarter interest in the property, so what. You've bailed on 2 (yes TWO) mortgages in the last year, DO YOU THINK YOU WILL GET A LOAN to buy the other three out???? The sister in the back was pissed about 6 months ago when BIL told her she'd not be able to stay in the back house when Mom passes. So was Mom, she cannot fathom that the boys will not take care of the girls. Different generation, I guess. Mom's own instructions are for the property to be divided 4 ways. Unless she changed something, and we don't know. But she generally asks DH about stuff like that. The good news? I am not overeating! Woot woot!!!