vacationgirl1

HI, I have Fibromyalgia and am starting my appointments for the Band. All the doctors say it's fine. I'd like to know what real people with Fibromyalgia (FM) think and experience! Any and all thoughts are appreciated!

Thanks, Missy! Rock on!!

Oh, there is a new drug out for IBS! My neighbor just got it approved by the FDA about 1 year ago. It's out there! It's called Linzess. Check it out. The company that created it is called Ironwood based out of Cambridge, MA. Ask your doctor. Good luck!

Thanks, Brandi and Ms. Maui. I have FM and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. I have other conditions that are "part of FM and CFS", such as Neurally Mediated Hypotension (drops in blood pressure), Reynauds, irregular pulses, and so much more. I don't expect these conditions to change. I do expect my comorbidities of Type II Diabetes, Reflux, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, osteoarthritis, and some fatigue due to weight gain to go AWAY! I am aware of that warning, Ms. Maui. I think the sleeve would be worse as there is a longer recovery time, the stomach being cut and stitched to not allow me to ever use an anti-inflammatory. With the band, my surgeon and others have said it as well, that I can use these sometimes. My achiness just needs an anti-inflammatory medication sometimes. I am trying to use it less now and hope to continue doing so. With the sleeve, there are too many internal changes to my body to be potentially problematic for me. That is my thought. The least invasive and reversible is the best choice for me. I will continue to ask lots of questions! You can never know enough! Thanks again!

Hi Pinx and Lose100! Thanks so much for getting back to me on this. There aren't many people pursuing the band with FM. I agree, there is no cure, but the comorbidities will hopefully go away and, everyone feels better with less weight! I am in the process of the appointments. I hope you get your approval soon, Pinx. Glad to hear of your success, Lose100! Glad to hear of no CONS!! I am hopeful to see lots of improvement in my life. Thanks again, and please keep posting!

Hi, I am a Type II Diabetic and am getting started with the Lap band seminars and first appointments. Is anyone a Diabetic and have information and knowledge of the liquid pre op and post op diet and how to do this as a diabetic safely? I am worried as I go into a hypo very easily if I don't eat every three hours. I can't do liquid diets to prepare for procedures nevermind this 2 weeks. Nutritionists must have a way. Any thoughts?

Thank you for your good wishes! I believe all will work out fine. I am researching all I can, and asking and asking questions at every seminar and appointments that I go to, as well on this forum. I believe I will get the answers and be on my way. I'll keep you posted! Thanks again!

Yes, Fredric, I am complicated! Add Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome to the mix, and... What a mess! This is why it's been so hard to get any weight off. Thank you, Sharpie, for your words of experience regarding diabetes. Unfortunately, my primary care doctor is out for a month due to her own illness. I will get her back in the loop before I have any surgery. I have appointments on 3/11 and 3/20 for all the tests and meetings with psych and nutrition, ect. I'll also be going to Joslin Diabetes Hospital for a consult. Fingers crossed! Thanks again!

Oh Gosh... I have blood test done all the time! I also have LOW blood pressure that is stable most of the time, but drops out of now where! I can't monitor it. It is called Neurally Mediated Hypotension. It stinks having both. It's hard to lose weight with these conditions, Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. This is why I need help!

Yes, my blood sugars go down when I am feeling hypoglycemic. Here are my "numbers" that were tested in the hospital and are where I cannot go: Blood sugar of 190 - I begin to shake and have rough hypo symptoms Blood sugar of 170 or below - I pass out (Most do this when blood sugar is 130 or so) So, in my first nutrition meeting today, they said they are sending me to the Joslin Diabetes Hospital, which is luckily right across the street from the hospital I have chosen for my surgery. Hypoglycemia has been a huge problem of mine since I was a kid. Diabetes is new, and all over my family history.

Good luck with your surgery on the 6th! So glad you are doing well with the liquid diet Timing sounds great! I am looking forward to my first appointment tomorrow for blood work and group nutrition session. Then, they make the appointment with the surgeon after that. I will work with nutritionists to be stable on the "hypo" end of things. I'm on Metformin 2x/day, so not much for meds. I've always been hypoglycemic. I'll just have to have a plan for that. Again, all the best to you on the 6th!

Ha! "Romneycare!!" Love that! Yup, good for just about that and only that!

I urge you to call your insurance company and ask that question. Ask for a supervisor on the phone. Get his/her name and ID number. If they say YES, you have a person and number to go back to if you hit trouble later. Many insurance companies are open 7 days/week. Call now!

Good for you! Good luck

Thanks! My BMI is 41 and I have Diabetes, high cholesterol, and some other issues (co-morbidities.) I have done WW many times as well as diets with nutritionists the past few years when I was told I had Pre-Diabetes, and then became Diabetic with an A1C of 6.5. On Monday, I go for blood tests and a group nutrition and information 2 hour session. Then, I get my appointments scheduled for psych eval and nutrition as well as anything else they think I need. I hope it's fast. I need to do this. My head is ready. I have been on Myfitnesspal.com. I will check it out again to find you. Thanks!

Did it take you longer to get your surgery date due to Diabetes? Did you have to have more tests?

Hi, I'm not surprised that your sugar went up the morning of the surgery. Stress will do that! Good for you having a low blood sugar each morning. If I eat more carbs at night, my sugars are better in the am. If I eat low carbs at night, my sugar is higher in the am! It's been hard. I'm glad you had no trouble with the liquid diet and your surgery went well! I'd love to hear more about your post-op experience!

Thanks for sharing Have you started your Pre-Op diet? If so, how are you doing? Do you get to have more protein/calories due to the diabetes? I'm on Metformin 2x/day and get hypoglycemic if I don't eat every 3 hours and eat plenty of protein/fat/carb combos. Did you have to do extra tests and did it take longer for you to prepare for your surgery date due to your Diabetes? I am so ready to do this and just want things to move along! Thanks again! Good luck preparing for your surgery!

I would call the office of that center in springfield and ask about your BMI. Tell them about your insurance. Ask them when exactly do they weigh you. This will give you a lot of answers. Sign up for the seminar and try try try to go if you can free up your time. It's important to get the process moving for yourself if you possibly can. If not, just call your insurance company and the doctor's office. Ask all your questions. Write them down as you think of them and work on getting your paperwork done and your insurance questions and qualifications answered. Good luck! Keep asking us for help! That's what we're here for!

Fill out the paperwork ASAP and see if you can get to an earlier seminar! I did that at the Beth Israel. It moved everything up one month earlier!!

No, they don't weigh you at the seminars. They are just for information. Have you been to one yet? The hospitals and surgeons that you decide to go with run seminars that you go to first to get educated on the Lap Band and also to decide if this hospital and the surgeons are a good fit for you. After you choose your surgeon and hospital, you set up your first appointment. I think that is when they weigh you. I am going on Monday. I hope that is when they weigh me. I am going to a hospital in Boston. I know they are going to take blood tests and do some nutrition counceling.

Hi I was told an a seminar Tuesday night that the surgeon uses the first weight they take when you first meet them, before the liquid diet. I think you'll be OK. Ask your surgeon/team!!

Hey, I just checked out your profile. You need only to gain 2-3 pounds!!! To have a BMI of 35.1 you need to weigh 192 and to have a BMI of 35.3, you need to weigh 193!!!! You can do this in a week or less! This is your answer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Go for it! You need to do this for yourself!!!!!!!!!!!

I think you should gain 5 lbs or close. Find out by entering your height and a few pounds higher on the BMI calculator. See how many pounds you will need exactly. It shouldn't be more than 5 or so. Have a party for yourself. It will only take a week or two! You know how easy that is to do! Play the insurance game. Get what you need to get done for your health in the long run!