Hi all,

I am recently becoming aware of the affect that wheat products have on my GI system. I notice bloating, excess gas, and general swelling to my abdomen. I am suspecting I may have a gluten allergy but do not have an official diagnosis. I searched the forums here but did not see a thread specifically devoted to this topic. If there is one and I haven't found it, please point me that way. Otherwise, if you have a band AND have or suspect you have a Gluten Sensitivity; post here and let me know your story!

Hi all,

I am recently becoming aware of the affect that wheat products have on my GI system. I notice bloating, excess gas, and general swelling to my abdomen. I am suspecting I may have a gluten allergy but do not have an official diagnosis. I searched the forums here but did not see a thread specifically devoted to this topic. If there is one and I haven't found it, please point me that way. Otherwise, if you have a band AND have or suspect you have a Gluten Sensitivity; post here and let me know your story!

Not me, but my son. He is getting banded on August 5. His surgeon(and mine,) was afraid that Aetna would turn him down if they said he had celiac. So, it was said he has gluten sensitivity. He would probably be interested in this information, too!

Great! I am not sure how much support I can provide as I am sort of a novice on this topic, but I am thinking that there might be others out there as well. Before being banded, I suspected I either had a sensitivity or allergy. When I brought it up with my doctor she seemed incredulous that someone could have a food allergy AND be overweight. Her model in her head was that you had to be malnourished if you were intolerant of gluten. She said that I must be eating too much broccoli which was causing gas and bloating. I then gave up on the idea and went back to eating regular foods again. Now that I have lost half of my goal weight, all of my excesses are in my abdomen. I notice that if I abstain from Gluten for awhile my stomach size goes down. I'm going to give GF another try now that I am banded, and see if it helps me break through my current plateau.

Yes, he heard the same things. "No, you can't be celiac, because you wouldn't be fat". Well, he has been gluten free for 7 years, and he is at least 100 lbs overweight. But, as the surgeon said, to not say celiac, because it would exclude him from te surgery. So, he is intolerant of wheat and gluten! He knows, immediately, when he has a wheat product.

I know this post was awhile ago, so I imagine you've tried going gluten free since your last reply. How did it go for you? I've been having a nice list of symptoms that I originally thought may have been anything from gallstones to egg allergies, and now I'm brainstorming the idea of gluten intolerance. A quick google search said not to try going GF without a diagnosis, but I'm sick of having these symptoms and I'm willing to try anything.

I have to disagree with the google search! Most of the members of my family are gluten free out of choice due to problems with wheat allergies. The thing you must remember is that going gluten free does not mean that the gluten free foods are diet foods. If you have been tested for gallstones and egg allergies, have you had a test for wheat allergies? Anyway, try cutting out wheat,(wheat or wheat gluten are in almost everything), it is not an easy thing to do, but it is a lot easier today than it was back 7 years ago. Also, anything with MSG can cause a reaction, I can't use MSG, personally; it will cause a quick trip to the bathroom for me. Best of luck in you search for answers. Karen

I also disagree with the google search. My son can not eat gluten. He is not overweight and is 11. The reason i think the google search is wrong is bc the gluten free flours are still not the healthiest. Rice flour for example is pure starch. Potato flour, tapioca, etc. A cupcake made with gf flour is still a cupcake...loaded with sugar as well. I really try to cook meals with whole foods...meats and veggies. Snacks for my son are usually fruit, raw veggies, dried fruit, larabars, etc. Plus its much cheaper than gf stuff. $4 for a box of cookies. $6 for a bag of pretzels. It all adds up.

I have to disagree with the google search! Most of the members of my family are gluten free out of choice due to problems with wheat allergies. The thing you must remember is that going gluten free does not mean that the gluten free foods are diet foods. If you have been tested for gallstones and egg allergies, have you had a test for wheat allergies? Anyway, try cutting out wheat,(wheat or wheat gluten are in almost everything), it is not an easy thing to do, but it is a lot easier today than it was back 7 years ago. Also, anything with MSG can cause a reaction, I can't use MSG, personally; it will cause a quick trip to the bathroom for me. Best of luck in you search for answers. Karen

I haven't been tested for anything yet.. I let my program coordinator/nurse know what I think about the egg allergy, and she asked a few questions (probably trying to determine band complications or not) but didn't seem concerned. She just told me to stay away from eggs if they're causing me problems, because food allergies can be developed anytime. The gluten intolerance theory is now the top of my list, because now that I've stopped eating eggs I'm feeling better (and lost 3 lbs.. plateau busted?), but had all of my symptoms again last night after eating things like oatmeal during the day. It's just getting frustrating to not know what is making me sick.. and especially frustrating to get my band to agree with me eating it (i.e. not getting stuck) only to be in incredible pain later that lasts for hours.

On a brighter note, I have a go-to food blog that has a gluten-free category with a lot of recipes that look really good, in case anyone is looking for some new ideas. http://www.skinnytaste.com/search/label/Gluten%20Free

I am gluten intolerant so am GF too. I was diagnosed by a holistic chiropractor. It made so much sense. I also am sensitive to soy and corn so avoid those. I've been GF (mostly) for a few years. Any questions???

-Cordelia, banded 1/08

I am now - after bowel cancer, chemo and radiation i have a lot of figestive woes. The dietitian i was sent to by my colorectal surgeon put me on a low fodmap diet which eliminates gluten because it eliminates wheat, rye and barley, lactose and a lot of fruits, especially garlic and onions,

I feel much better and yes., my stomach is so flat now as to be concave. But i havent lost weight, but ive been at goal for years

The thing is, if ypu didnt eat a lot of carbs before, you cant start suddenly start pigging out on gluten free stuff, its still white carby rubbish. I eat brown rice, occasional buckwheat Pasta and oats, and stuff like granola that ive made from allowed i gredients. I didnt needto replace bread, cereaml etc as i never ate it and i very occadisonally will have a gluten free cookie or something, but not as a daily food.

Its no magic weight loss bullet, but going wheat free has been extremely easy for me, just stopped eating crap like muffins! Garlic and onion free is really hard though!