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 saw my Endo last Monday. She was excited that I had lost 31 pds since my surgery the end of March 2011. She told me as she was ordering my labs I will probably have my synthroid lowered, because as you lose you need less meds. So she called me today and says she is confused. My TSH is higher than it has been (reminder I no longer have a thyroid) and she was expecting to lower my dosage not increase. She is leaving it to me to stay on my current dose or go with a higher dose to lower my TSH or wait about 8 weeks and repeat the test. I am so confused.

Also, my son's wedding was this past week in Vegas. The entire time I was there I could hardly eat and got stuck twice! I ended up ordering Soup, ALOT which concerned my husband. Argh! I am thinking it was nerves and climate change. I am an East Coast Girl and not accustomed to the climate in Las Vegas. I did not gain any weight while in Vegas nor did I lose. This band is the most confusing, tempermental thing I have ever dealt with. At times I feel too tight and other times like I need a fill. Anyone else feel this way?

I was going to insert a pic of my son and his beautiful bride but I do not know how. Hope everyone is doing well.

My Band is like that to. Very touchy ! Get angry, excited, pissed off, weather, and climate, whatever, and she'll shut me down. My surgeon was the one that told me about this.

He asked if the 2 of us ever argued ? Yeah ! Well do you ever try to eat after it ? It won't go down ! Right ! It's sensitive....

I thought he was crazy.... But, he was right. So yeah I know what your talking about.

Congrats ! ! ! on the weight loss. That's quite a bit of loss.

As far as the Endro. goes. I would wait, and retest, and then see what they get back. Then they can take it from there.

I see mine in November.

Besides not being able to eat (except soup mostly.) I hope you had a Great Time.

Keep in touch, Shirley.

Happy Thanksgiving to all the Bandsters ! !

I went to my Endocrinologist today, and he was very Happy with my test results, while on the

Armour Thyroid. So he is keeping me on it.

Since I started seeing him,, he said I lost over 80Lbs., and told my Husband "Look at that,,, isn't that wonderful !" So I'm glad he was Happy, because I feel very good on these meds., and from working out.

No significant change in weight, but change in clothing size. So I'll take it.

Happy Thanksgiving to all the slow losers, and behave yourself if you can.

I posted a recipe for a salad on the November Bandster site. So if you want a easy recipe, then take a look at their thread.

Shirley.

I'm also a hypothyroid bandster (and I have PCOS - Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome). My hypothyroidism is specifically Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, which my father and his sister also have, so I suspect it comes from his side of the family. I got diagnosed when I was 17; and I take a HUGE dose (300 mcg/day), I used to take twice as much. I think because my levels have been regulated for a long time I'm not having much trouble with weight loss at this point; but I have been considering getting my TSH tested again because I'm curious if my weight loss will mean that I will need to take a smaller amount...

It's nice to read this thread from other folks with hypothyroidism. I've considered it a stumbling block, and have gone through all the emotions of it not being fair because my metabolism SO sucks. Also, I was concerned that I just wouldn't lose anything, but surprisingly it's been going well. I think that drinking A LOT of Water and moving a lot really helps.

Well Roziecakes,,,,, My Specialist sent me a copy of a letter that went out to see that if in 2012, my Ins. would cover my Armour Thyroid. Well they will ! In the letter it states that I have HYPOTHYROIDISM only 2nd. to Hoshimoto Disease.

So I just found this out about 10 minutes ago That's a Bummer.... After reading your's and mine posting where we both had Identical problems going on, I kind of expected that, but he never said nothing about it. So I blew it off !

Well I read the letter, and was bummed :-( . Even though I had suspected it. He never said anything about it.

So it caught me off Guard. Pearl Harbored me! And today of all days. So clue me in Doll about this Disease, will ya.

Shirley.

Can I ask for some help from other hypothyroid bandsters?

I have had hypothyroidism since I was 19- after being diagnosed I literally ballooned up. I went from 135 lbs to 165 in a year and then gradually almost 10 years later I was 227 lbs. I don't simply blame my thyroid I know I helped the process along.

My Thyroid has always been irregular at one point I was getting blood tests done monthly seeing specialists etc they had a very hard time getting the right dose. I started seeing an endocrinologist a year ago who actually suggested the lap band has helped me get my thyroid to normal levels.

So I had my surgery October 4th, so about 3 months post op. I have had 2 fills - the second time I went in the surgeon said there was no Fluid and wasnt sure why? ( maybe he missed). When i was filled the second time I felt it and I had good restriction the first week after but can eat alot more than I like since then.

In total I have lost 12.5 lbs which is super slow for over 3 months I feel comparison to others.

I knew I would lose slower with my thyroid problems but I am super discouraged and frustrated.

sorry long background story.. lol

So like 2 days ago I went to see my endocrinologist and my thyroid levels were off

She said since I had lost weight I needed less thyroid medicine- since now I was losing weight because of my thyroid medicine being too high- and i was losing the bad way etc.

I take synthroid 100 and cytomel 10 daily - she told me to stop taking the cytomel.

I told her I was scared that taking off the cytomel will stall/slow down my weight loss even more.

She said that may be but unfortunately thats your genetics!

I am super frustrated!!!

Sorry for the long rant.. lol

Any advice? Any tips? Anyone dealt with/dealing with this and have you had success?

thanks. and good luck everyone.

You are losing about 1 pound a week which is average for many bandsters. At least you are losing. It can be very frustrating. I have had thyroid disease since I was a teenage and weight loss has been a constant struggle and still is even with the band. Hang in there!

The Loss is slow, but you already know that.

My concern is with you not feeling restriction after about a week. I would say to go back, and make sure there is not a leak.

Once you rule that out, then deal with the Meds.

(THAT WOULD BE WHAT I WOULD DO.)

I always like to look at the big picture. See where you are in 1 year.

I know it's slower, but it still makes a difference.

Are you exercising at all ? That helps also.

Good Luck, keep us informed.

Shirley.

Thanks very much for your responses 54Shirley and melbanded.

It is slow...

I did confirm that I didnt have a leak! Phew! Went in for a fill today and all the Fluid was still there from last time. so thats good.

I will just take it day by day.

thanks again for your responses

SOunds like a good plan !

Thanks so much for starting this thread!!! I too have hypothyroidism and I take synthyroid 100mcg daily. I have been diagnosed for 6 years and when I went into the hospital with a TSH of 60! It has not been easy!! I also got banded in March my date was the 28th, 2011 and the weight is coming of so slow! I thought it would have come off faster, but it hasn't! I do the same thing you do, exercise eat right etc!! I did slow down on exercise over the holidays and put back on 4 lbs!!!! I have gone from a size 18 to a size 12 so I am looking forward to 2012 and losing a few more sizes with lots of hard work!!!

Congrats on the weight loss, and the sizes in cloths ! That's a big Plus...

Yes it's slow, but your holding your own, so I wouldn't worry to much.

Sounds like it will be a good year for you !

This has been a long struggle for me too. I have hypothyroidism, and almost have had my band for 2 yrs, and have only lost 25lbs. I'm not sure if my thyroid has as much to do with my small weight loss as my being a poor bandster does...will never give up though!

It always is... but keep in touch with your surgeon for fills, and your specialist in adjusting your meds.

If you cheat ! It really makes it hard, because it's such a s l o w loss anyway. So keep in touch with your Dr."s,

they do play a key part in your weight loss.

That's my personal advice only !