I am a 48 year old feamle with pseudo tumor cerebri which is a swollen optic nerve (behind eye). This is usually seen in overweight people. Nine years ago I was diagnosed with this and also found out I was celiac. So, I went on a gluten free diet and lost 100 lbs. My optic nerve was not swollen anymore. Now in the past 7 years I put 60 pounds back on. Weight is a life long strudggle and in my case genetic ( both parents overweight). In 10/12 I am told optic nerve is fine. Then earlier this week 6/25/13 I am told it is swollen again. Drs. told me not to stop asthma meds abruptly or nerve could rupture and I could go blind. Long story short. Apparently, weight loss is the only thing that will decrease the swelling. I ahve been trying to lose weight since 13. Yo-yo syndrome.

My question is has anybody else had pseudo tumor cerebri and had lapband surgery to lose weight to shrink the optic nerve? Also, do you think United healthcare would consider me having pseudo tumor cerebri a reason to pay for the surgey or deny it? One more question, has anyone with celiac disease been told that the lapband was not for them because you could get another autoimmune disorder like Lupus from the lapband?

Any information would be greatly appreciated as I start to explore this option.

call your dr and ins and see what they say