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WLS and IBD (UC or Crohns)



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Hi everyone. I'm a newbie here. I'm preparing to approach my PCP about WLS. I have Ulcerative Colitis, which is currently in remission, but I am expecting some push back because of the condition. My BMI is 56 (350 lbs) and I am otherwise in good health. I am pre-diabetic and have weight related joint pain in my hips and knees. My insurance does cover WLS, I am not sure of the approval process though. Just curious if anybody else here has had WLS with UC or Crohns. Thanks!

Edited by shrinkingkimber

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Following, morbidly obese loved one with crowns.

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I'm interested to see the responses to this one too, unfortunately I cannot offer much information but I do have a relative with Crohns going through the health screening process now, after discussion it seems the sleeve is most suitable in her situation due to the amount of joins/stitch points and it seems you are in a similar medical condition shrinkingkimber. All the best on your journey it'd be great to hear how you're progressing.

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I'm interested to see the responses to this one too, unfortunately I cannot offer much information but I do have a relative with Crohns going through the health screening process now, after discussion it seems the sleeve is most suitable in her situation due to the amount of joins/stitch points and it seems you are in a similar medical condition shrinkingkimber. All the best on your journey it'd be great to hear how you're progressing.

Thanks! Based on the research I've done it seems the sleeve is the best option. That is the procedure I'm approaching my PCP about. I've got printouts of results from the NIH where patients with IBD came through a sleeve gastrectomy just fine and many saw an improvement of their IBD symptoms after losing weight.

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If this is the case go for it "You did the research and you know what you want!

Move forward...Good luck

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Hello there! I was diagnosed with Crohn's at the age of 8. It has been in remission for a VERY long time, for which I am very blessed. I have continued to have ongoing related issues, however (ie. nausea and upset stomach). I have also had to take prescription medication for reflux for probably 15 years.

My PCP encouraged me to have the surgery. I was very leery, concerned it would make my Crohn's symptoms worse. He said that it could really only make things better - my diet would change, there would be less weight to complicate things, etc. I have found he was right! Aside from the nausea related to the surgery, there has been a big improvement. I continue to take medication for reflux, but the reflux is now non-existent (it was overpowering my medication most days preop). I continue to have the upset stomach, which is no big deal at this point, but not as often - probably because I eat less! LOL.

Overall, I would say it has not had a negative, rather, a positive impact on my Crohn's symptoms.

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Crohns patients can have such a limited diet, I'd think the sleeve would be preferable because you can eat most any food, just not very much of it.

tmf

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I have Crohn's and was told the Sleeve was my only option so I guess it would be the same for you with UC!

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I actually just found out that I had Crohns last week (I apparently have had it for years, but just thought my stomach problems were all related to my poor eating) and had my sleeve done two months ago. I asked my surgeon if he would have still preformed the surgery had he known I had Crohns and he said that he would and that the sleeve was preferable to gastric bypass. my physician actually thought the sleeve may help me with my Crohns in the long run as I am eating better and making healthier choices.

Hope all goes well for you! Best of luck!

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    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
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