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I'm also hypo, on Synthroid. I've lost 52 lbs since Oct 09 and my doctor said he was going to do some blood tests on my next visit (Oct) to see if they can lower the dosage. I talked to him about possibly getting off the meds once I reach my goal, but I guess I need them forever. It's not like diabetes - where if you eaqt properly and lose weight, you may not be a diabetic anymore. From what I understand, hypothyroidism doesn't go away with weight loss, you just need less of a dosage. Marci

yorkshire;1447595]Has anyone been denied by UHC and did you appeal? My claim has been submitted but I'm afraid it will be denied because my BMI has not been over 35 for 5 yrs. - only 3 yrs. I do have several comorbidities (sleep apnea, arthritis, fibroids, back & knee pain, high blood pressure, high cholestral, hypo-thyroid, etc) Does anyone have any suggestions to help with an appeal?:thumbup:

Some of the symptoms you are describing could be due to low blood sugar. Some people suffer from low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) after surgery. This occurs in people who were diabetic or were not diabetic prior to surgery. You may be experiencing reactive hypoglycemia. Reactive hypoglycemia (postprandial hypoglycemia) is low blood sugar that occurs after a meal — usually within four hours after eating. Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) usually occurs while fasting. Signs and symptoms of reactive hypoglycemia may include hunger, weakness, shakiness, sleepiness, sweating, lightheadedness, anxiety and confusion.

1 pound peeled and deveined medium shrimp 1 cup fresh lime juice 10 plum tomatoes, diced 1 large yellow onion, diced 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced, or to taste Place shrimp in a glass bowl and cover with lime juice to marinate (or 'cook') for about 10 minutes, or until they turn pink and opaque. Meanwhile, place the plum tomatoes, onion and jalapeno (and avocados and celery, if using) in a large, non-reactive (stainless steel, glass or plastic) bowl. Remove shrimp from lime juice, reserving juice. Dice shrimp and add to the bowl of vegetables. Pour in the remaining lime juice marinade. Add cilantro and salt and pepper to taste. Toss gently to mix. I love this on seseme tortilla chips 2 avocados, diced (optional) 2 ribs celery, diced (optional) chopped fresh cilantro to taste salt and pepper to taste

It's definitely not a "never" thing for sleeve patients, but it is much less likely to occur in someone who's had a VSG than someone who's had a bypass. I'm sorry it's happening to you! Also, I have reactive hypoglycemia and it feels VERY much like dumping but I've had it for years...happens when I eat simple carbs.

I am hypothyroid and take Synthroid (100 mcg) daily. I normally take it first thing in the morning and I have been fine after surgery. I was recently given direction to take my Nexxium twice daily (morning and evening). My doctor said I can't take Synthroid with a PPI because it causes problems with absorption. So this morning I take my Nexxium when I wake up and figure I will take my Synthroid about an hour before lunch. By 930 AM I was sweating profusely and felt like I was having a hot flash! The RN who works with me asked if I had taken my Synthroid. I took it at at 10 AM and within 20 minutes the sweating and hot flash was back under control. Since I hadn't thought about it, I figured I would post for the other Hypo's out there after surgery.

I've tried going on the weight watchers diet and I followed the meal plans, I managed to gain 6 pounds lol. But, I also have hypo thyroidism so I think thats why I gained weight. The whole cutting of the stomach scares me to pieces, lap band is no longer an option, too many side effects. Its a good thing I have 4 more months. But, I do feel that I'm on yo yo dieting so the sleeve will probably be my only option. Thank you so much.

I’m 11.5 months post op and I have lost 175 lbs total since this process. Starting weight was 358, surgery day weight was 331, current weight 183! Prior to my surgery, I was terrible at logging food, exercising regularly, and had a terrible relationship with food (addiction, portion control, etc). Of course I knew what to do conceptually but the follow through was the issue. I told myself (and truly believe) that the surgery was not the fix! It’s just a tool! A tool that allows me to fix the broken things. What I’m getting at is, although logging food is “difficult”, it’s necessary! You have to be willing do do things differently and consistently if you want to reach your goals. Set up your environment to help you be more consistent: meal plan, log your planned foods the night before or first thing in the morning. Proactivity rather than reactivity is key! I treat my food log like I budget my finances, I track input and output and plan ahead! You got this! You just have to tell yourself you’ll do what it takes. The habits that got you in this situation won’t get you out of it! Embrace your second chance at becoming the best version of yourself and focus on the inputs and the desired outputs will happen! Don’t be afraid to consult your medical team and seek mental health help if need be. We all decided we can’t do it on our own which is why we took this journey. You owe it to yourself to be better than you think you can be! Good luck!

Wow! ((hugs)) You've been through the wringer backwards haven't you?!!! I don't know the answer to your question, but I do know you must do something. It can't hurt to start the process and schedule in a teaching hospital if possible. That way you may have more access to the surgeon to ask your questions. I do know you need to have your med issues sorted out prior to surgery...especially when they deal with thyroid and psych meds. But I don't think it's impossible. But I'm just a schmoe on the internet that makes crap up all damn day! I'm hypo. Take endocrine therapy to keep me in cancer remission. Have so many comorbidities and am on 3 bp drugs and still fight with blood pressure every day. My metabolism is crap. But I'm pursuing this surgery with the hopes that I will have a metabolic reset that might make it easier to lose the weight. Hang in there and congrats on fighting your way through the massive grief you've experienced. You're a fighter and survivor!!!

All us HYpos. Need to support each other..Im so worried it wont work...im doing everything tight I was sleeved 4/24. Lets all be each others support team...we are slow looser from what I read but truth is I was not looseing before sleeve I was gaining.13 lds last year 15 each year prior..so looseing steady even if its only 2 a week. Ill take iy...any one haveing issues with hiccups or gas in shoulder....also are u crushing your thyroid or taking hole.

Holiday celebrations are all about food, right? Save up every year, to overeat and not keep yourself in check. It’s a losing mindset from the get-go. The end of the year is really about memories, gratitude and those who we care for in life, not just the Thanksgiving feast or the Christmas Day buffet. What makes a holiday special also makes it filled with emotions and triggers that enable our unhealthy excessive eating behaviors to be acceptable at this time of year. A few things that may sound familiar and affect many of us during the holiday season are: Family traditions and ethnic backgrounds with food memories that have followed us through life. Trauma, hardships or losses that make holiday cheer tough to enjoy or even tolerate on some levels. Falling back on a diet mindset and thinking it’s ok to eat recreate old habits from October 31-January 2. Awareness of mental and emotional struggles feeling more acute during the holiday season. For bariatric patients, an immediate fear presents itself: “How can I survive all the parties and family celebrations while embracing my post-surgery food choices so I don’t lose control with holiday eating and drinking this year?” The practical answer: Prepare for it, just as if the surgery was ahead of you. Think and plan for success with the least amount of guilt and destruction possible. Holiday foods are not “rewards” or “treats” or a reason to fall off the mindful thinking that you use every day. We all have family and cultural traditions of holiday foods, and the meanings behind them; that often follow us into adulthood. The connection is to people, not food itself. Holiday time often intensifies many people’s mental and emotional struggle with life issues. Food can often be an immediate distraction and way to receive immediate gratification in tough times. The trouble is, the stresses and issues remain after the food is consumed. Often, alcohol consumption increases at holiday time as well, so mindset is altered by allowing more uninhibited behavior to prevail. Using good judgment often decreases as well. So, if we can use the model of being prepared and accountable for ourselves, what would it look like? Think of the season on your terms. Where can you plan and take the lead on making good choices for yourself while still feeling the holiday spirit? Find control where you can make food to bring to others parties or meals. Host at your home to take pressure off of yourself. Be honest and ask to be considered when food is being prepared and served so that you can also taste but be flooded by the excessive choices and behaviors all around us. Find ways to relax and refresh so you are not overwhelmed or drained by the holiday madness. Keep a journal of your thoughts, fears, successes and challenges to remind you of the proud journey you are on now. Use meditative activities to bring a more even and peaceful attitude to the business of the season and the potential for burnout and self-destruction. Give of yourself to others that need to be uplifted. Find a community, group hobby or counselor if the season is troubling of extremely unmanageable. Many times the holiday triggers are too hard to handle alone. Ask for help and know that you are being proactive (helping yourself) instead of reactive (always behind and at the mercy of others decisions and actions). The key is to stay connected to the resources, the people, places and things that bring successful experiences to us, and avoid harmful or undermining circumstances that reinforce low self-esteem and bad, and often destructive, behaviors. As a bariatric patient, being accountable is helping yourself stay focused on a positive and productive mindset with help provide a fulfilling and peaceful holiday season each and every year. Yes, this is you, enjoying your life during the holidays.

@@Killian I am 8 weeks post op, and I am steadily losing weight. Lost 12kg (26.4 Ibs) so far. When is your surgery, and what type of surgery are you having? Sleeve or Bypass? I am finding that the more weight I lose, my Thyroxine (Synthroid) levels get too high, and I am swinging back to Hyper thyroid again .... I am glad to learn that you also skip Sunday dose. I will start this Sunday, and see what happens. I had RAI in August last year (2015), and went Hypo in December last year, 2015 On Thyroxine since January 2016, so this is a new learning curve for me. I have to have 6 weekly blood tests post surgery, seeing my Endo every 3 months, unless I get issues ..... I take my Thyroxine early in the morning, when I first wake up, on empty stomach, then go back to sleep. This way I can have my coffee and Breakfast when I get up. Calcium, I take it in the evening. With weight loss, the Synthroid levels can be affected, and doses need to be monitored and adjusted, if needed. Good luck with your surgery Cheers, Margo

Thanks James...I am a Type 2 diabetic and know all about hypoglycemia. Used to have reactive hypoglycemia prior to turning full blown diabetic, so I know the signs. I actually did check my blood sugar this morning (I do every morning anyway). It was fine, so that wasn't it. I really do think it had to do with the Protein. I didn't think I hit my protein the day before, and most everything I read said protein and fluids are usual culprits. Thanks for replies. Feeling better now.

Hey fellow hypos, ever pass out (or almost) in public before? And don't you hate the cold sweats? When I have an "episode" it wipes me out for the entire day. It take me 24 hours to recover from it. Havng hypoglycemai has made me afraid not to have sugar or food around just in case. I keep candies in my coat pockets.

I'm 16 months post op and I have baked a few things here and there...I have reactive hypoglycemia (aka "late dumping") so I know better than to have more than a bite or two or I'll end up face planting on the kitchen floor again. It's an excellent deterrent from overindulgence, as much as it sucks.

So ever since Friday i haven't been feeling all that great. I was feeling a bit swimmy in the head and my insides actually felt sore. It almost felt like I was coming down with something. Last week I found out my thyroid was way out of whack so instead of hypo i was hyper. My Doc changed my dosage and the swimmy feelings went away. I still felt sore inside and it hurt mildly to take a deep breath. I was thinking because I started taking Iron may be I was constipated, I took some miralax. Friday I felt so full and couldn't eat anything after my attempt at lunch. Well it doesn't appear as though I am constipated and I still feel sore inside and randomly without warning I get a pain in my left abdomen that makes me cringe. It really has me baffled. I don't feel full anymore and am able to eat normally. I am not one to freak out but I can't imagine what it could be. I will be calling the surgeon's office tomorrow. I am 11 weeks out. Does anyone have a similar experience? Just looking for clues.

I was about 220lb and 5'2'' prior to my MGB last September. I look fine and feel good around 150lb and since this is my 2nd go round with WLS (I had a lap-band reversal in 2016 due to malfunction- regained a bunch of weight), I knew that the weight wouldn't come off as fast or as easy. I'm also in my mid 40's. So my goal is pretty conservative. The surgeon made my pouch pretty "generous," so I can eat a relatively decent amount of food (at least a cup almost from the get-go). However, my diet needs to be something that I can live with in the long term and life with food is good for me now. I eat a healthy diet (which I never could with lap-band), avoid simple sugars (I've been having issues with reactive hypoglycemia and I'm also a "dumper") and I continue to exercise 5-6 days/week as I've done for the past 12 years. My advice is to not worry about charts and BMI's. See where you're body leads you and think of the long game. We know that dieting and restriction doesn't work in the long term and usually eventually leads to regain. You need to find a way of eating that is liveable for you.

Good to see this topic, as a diabetic on two insulin's myself my motivation for this surgery is to get off the meds and hopefully go into full remission (fingers crossed). The optifast is helping me immensely to the point I have to be extra careful with my dosages as I've had 2 hypos since I started 7 days ago.

It happened to me tonight and I thought i was very planful. Since having RNY 2 years ago I get episodes of reactive hypoglycemia. Today I had my normal Breakfast which was a Protein shake and knowing I would be going to my granddaughter's volleyball game decided to eat my lunch later than normal. I ended up having lunch at 2:30pm - I had a lunch that had great protein and veggies but also had more than normal carbs as it was a ground beef pasty. Then about 2 hours later I had a handful of almonds. I knew her game started at 6:30 and would like run until 8:30 but honestly thought i would be fine until then. Well, while on the way to the game I started to have the very low sugar crash and when it hits me, it hits me fast and it gets pretty scary. I start shaking, Sweating and getting very confused. I have learned the early signs (which come usually about 5 minutes before i end up in big trouble). Like an idiot, I did not bring anything with me. No glucose, no meter nothing.....So I looked at hubby who thankfully was driving and said you need to find either a walgreens or a gas station and find it fast. Well, we were in hicksville, USA and so the only thing we could find nearby was a gas station. I knew I needed some sugar but not alot and then i needed something with protein which would keep it from coming right back in an hour. So, I grabbed some dark chocolate and a protein bar. I ate 4 small squares of chocolate and then followed up with about 1/3 of the protein bar. Within 10 minutes I was fine and was able to hold off for a very late dinner at Stir Crazy where I had delicious chicken breast and veggie stir fry from Their fresh market bar. I really really need to be more careful with this! And going forward, a ground beef pasty clearly had more carbs than i even realized or it would not have happened to me. UGH!

Wow, so I have been on Insulin for 25 years and we share the same Gastric by pass Day! I also had mine done on 12 Jan, I'm having tons of hypo's and adjusting my insulin pump daily! I had a bad complication after the op and had ketoacidosis, was really scary, spent 7 days in ICU! Still in hospital now and just starting to hold down liquids without an IV bag! So feeling much improved, you sound like it's going really well for you! So happy for you, I'm sure I'll be following in your footsteps soon ...

I do find that snacking leads to stalls and or weight gain for me. I have to be very careful because I also get reactive hypoglycemia so i pretty much eat very small meals all day long. That is a slippery slope and can feel much like grazing which is the worst thing i can do. Early on while in weight loss mode my nut had me drink milk for a snack. it gives you added Protein, turns to a solid keeping you full for quite a while. And.....best of all you can add different types of tea to it. My favorite all time snack especially in the winter is chocolate chai tea. I use the loose tea version from teavanna and steep it for 3 minutes. It is especially delicious, hits the spot with NO added sugar other than what is in the milk. I use lactaid because i still have a lactose intolerance. If i dont have that, i will eat full fat cheese, pepperoni, shrimp, almonds and sometimes bariatric pal hot chocolate or bariatric pal vanilla capacciono.

*sigh* i figured that was probably the answer i'd get. hehe i've never had any experience with steri-strips, so i guess i was hoping they were more hypo-allergenic than the adhesives in other products. ah well. even scars are better than fat rolls. :eek:

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.

I'm also Hypo-thyroid... I'm glad I found this post. I realized that I am not alone. Few people really understand the challenges and frustrations we face.

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.