mayflower419

I was also diagnosed with an autoimmune disease after being banded Mine is called pemphigus it is a blistering disease of the skin and mucus membranes. Was told the trauma of the band surgery caused this to come out. Was put of steriods. Well needless to say that was the end of my weightloss. Have maintained but have not loss anything in the last year. I'm going for a fill tomorrow hopefully it will jumpstart some weightloss. As for my disease it is under control but I always think what if I removed my band would things be different my doctor doesnt think the removing the band would change things but who knows......

I had lap surgery and the surgery brought out an auto immune disease called pemphegus its a blistering disease of the mucous membranes and of the skin. The trauma of the surgery caused this to come out. Being treated with steriods and iv treatments monthly. Needless to say the steriods dont help with the weight issues havent lost any weight in the last 10mos. I know this really doesn't answer your questions but thought I would give my experience with this.

Hi all mass bandsters I was banded at the Faulkner Hospt. in Aug. 2005 I haven't had as much success as I anticipated. Only lost 40lbs. I had the bad luck of coming out with an autoimmune disease right after surgery and my treatment is steroids.:cry If you are aware of this type of medication it makes you gain weight:mad: I didn't gain but I stopped losing. Thats my story I hope you all have better success with your journey. I live south of Boston.

evanesce I take prednesone and I'm also doing ivig treatments every 3wks this disease effects the mucus membrane and also the skin. I just have the mouth sores at this time. Once I knew what i had I also thought maybe my body was rejecting the band but doctors dont think that 27% of people of mederterranean decent carry this gene and it's a crap shoot as to whether it will ever come out or not. Thats just my luck..... This disease can be horrible the doctors say I'm very lucky that it has only effected my mouth no skin lesions. If I'm lucky I will go into remission. Its just that since going on the steriods I have stopped losing weight. Most people gain 20-30lbs. so I guess the band saved me there I haven't gained just maintained. Diet is a big part of keeping it in check. Mostly soft bland food. Band diet is to eat hard proteins most meats are too hard for my mouth so its a constant battle.

hello I also had this problem after surgery and doctor and I both thought it was thrush. I was given the diflocan and the mouth rinse but things seems to get alittle better but then for no reason then it would be back and sometimes worse. Finally after 4mos. of on and off different meds and several different doctors and dentists I went to an oral surgeon and he did a biopsy on my gums low and behold it wasn't thrush at all it was an autoimmune disease call pemphigus. This is brought on by trauma my trauma was my band surgery. Its very rare and more than likely not what you have. I just thought I would throw that out to you just in case you don't respond to the thrush meds and they can test you for it if it doesnt clear up.

Hello I have been on prednisone for a month now. 20mg day thats a pretty small dose I guess. I have gained 4lbs. I'm trying to just maintain my weight I know losing at this time is a battle I don't think I'll win. I must say though this medication has helped my symptoms greatly. I have a rare autoimmune disease of the skin and mucus membranes. I had awful mouth lesions and the drugs have worked. You have to weigh out the pros and cons for you for me the fews lbs have been worth it to feel soooo much better. I thank good I have my band I think that is my saving grace or I think I would have ballooned up by now. Good luck to you.

Hi all anyone out there have to take the steroid prednisone. I have been on 20mg for 2 weeks and have already gained 4 lbs. I was told I could be on this med. for 3-4 mos. or quite possibly longer. Anyone have any suggestions as to still lose and be on steroids. I have also been put on a soft diet so its hard to get in alot of protein. Most meats are too course. Getting really down of myself even though I know its not my doing its the damn prednisone. I was thinking of making an appointment for another fill maybe that would be a help. The weight was falling off before I started on the steroids. I would love to hear any suggestions. thanks.

Hi all has anyone ever heard of pemphigus. Well it what I have. Awful peeling of my gums. This was brought out from the stress of my lap surgery. Prendizone is the treatment and ammune supressing drugs. I will be devestated if all my hard work of losing weight will be all in vain because prendizone will cause me to gain weight and get all bloated. And how will these drugs affect my band I called my dr. but he didn't call back. Not taking these drugs is not a choice because this is a skin disease causing blisters and mouth sores and other compications. I'm told its very rare. I hope someone hear has some insight you guys seem to know alot. Need alittle support thanks for any info.

Wow that is scary I'm glad your ok and the man and wife and baby or ok too. You should eat alittle something you may feel better. Your neck will probably hurt more tomorrow the day after is usually worse. I bet its wiplash you should see your doctor if your not better in a couple of days. I hope you feel better soon.

thanks for all the good advice I think I will try it and see how it goes I can't seem to get rid of the awful taste after I take the powder I'll try anything once. I just want to feel better so I can concentrate on my weight loss. Thanks again all.

oK I'll start at the beginning I had my surgery in Aug. the day after my mouth and throat felt like a coating was building on my gums. Well this never got better finally went to pcp she said it was thrush. Well I took 3 different meds over the last 6 weeks and this gross stuff never went away. Finally I got fed up throat and mouth so sore I went to the ER and was diagnosed with a bacterial infection! This had to have come from the surgery it is just to coincidental that it started within hours after my surgery. Now I am on antibiotics and they are a large capsule. I opened them and put the powder in juice and once in ice cream to hide the taste. OMG they are absolutely digusting making my gag and almost vomit. Can I take a capsule normally I dont think I can keep doing the open thing. I asked pharmacy about a liquid she said that is awful and has a very foul odor and most people gag and can't tolerate it. Please help I just want to swallow the capsule but I'm terrified of it getting stuck. Any suggestions please I'm desperate. Lisa.

Good luck you will do fine. By now your on your way to bandland. I'm from the Boston area also. Get plenty of rest but also remember to walk as much as you can. It helps alot with the gas. I will be thinking of you today.

well I had my first fill yesterday and the doctor couldn't find my port. said it was very deep. Thank god for lidocaine because he tried for about ten min. went thru 3 needles they kept coming out bent. He finally decided to do it under x-ray. I had to roll on my left side for him to access the port. Boy was I sore once the lidocaine wore off. Now we know for the next fill to roll on my side. I got 1cc now the fun begins.

I am going on 9/27 for my first fill. I have a 4cc band dr. is going to put 2cc in. I am worried that this is too much for a first fill. I surely do not want to have to go back right away for an unfill. I have lost 18lbs. without any fill. I have never had a pb or any problems with anything getting stuck. I am very nervous about getting the fill not so much the pain but the after effects. I think I am going to ask the dr. to start with 1cc. instead of 2cc to see how it goes.

Hi I have my surgery scheduled for Aug. 3 with Dr. Edward C. Mun at the Faulkner Hospital I've done lots of research and he has all the best credentials and comes recommended as the best for bariatric surgery.

Hello I had my surgery by Dr Edward Mun at the Faulkner hos.

Hi everyone well its been 3 weeks now since being banded and the damn scale has not moved since after the first week. I'm getting discouraged. I've been eating under 1000 cal. just mushies and been walking each day but seems like I'm stuck. I've been going back and forth with 2-3lbs. one day up next down but haven't gone beyond in 2 weeks. I've lost a total of 15lbs which I'm grateful for. It just seems I'm working so hard and not getting anymore results. I see Dr. on 25th maybe once I get my first fill things will change I hope so.

Hi all I'm a mom to 12yr daughter and a full time postal clerk. Working nights very physical and demanding job the last 18yrs. DH is a railroad conductor

Hi Jennifer, I have dr. mun and I think the 3 weeks is too long also I am 2 wks out and yesterday I tried egg salad and it went down fine. I can not drink the protein drinks and am so sick of soup. It didn't take much to feel full. But I don't think I'm going to tell the dr. when I see him on the 25th. He was very adement about no food just liquid until I see him again. Oh well.

Hello, I have Dr. Mun at Faulkner, I had my band placed on Aug. 3, 2005. It's been 2 weeks and I'm feeling pretty good. Finding it very hard to stay on just liquid for the 3 post op weeks. I feel like I'm ready to try some soft stuff. I have my follow up on the 25th.

Hi I was banded on 3rd and yesterday I thought I was dying a slow tourcherous death. Everything I drink makes my want to puke and the runs omg I think I am so dehydrated I found that flat ginger ale is the only thing I can tolerate. I had a fever too I don't know if this is normal but man I feel like death warmed over. Everyone says to walk well I think if I do I will fall on my face I am sooooo weak. I can't drink the shakes they make me sick. I'm getting ready to try mushie stuff even though its only been 5 days.

Well its done and now I'm asking myself why I did this. I stayed an extra night in the hospital. I was very naucious and in alot of pain. It's only day 3 and I think if I have another carnation instant breakfast I'm gonna puke. I can't stand that nasty after taste with everything. I don't know how I'm going to do this for 3 weeks. Today the gas set in and I was in agony. I can get over the pain its the drinks I can't seem to get through. All I can tolerate is a few ounces of anything then I want to explode. Help I need some words of encouragement.

Well its finally here and I'm sh&*%$$ my pants! I'm happy sad and terrified all at the same time. I really havn't been able to eat for 4 days. Who would have thought. Each time I try I'm in the bathroom 10 min. later. I know its all nerves. I have this fear that I will have all kinds of problems after the surgery and knowing that I did this to myself and I didn't have to. I have been reading way too much I think. I'm making myself sick. Every time I tell someone I'm doing this they ask me if I'm crazy that I'm not big enough to do something so drastic. I know if I could do this on my own I would have done it a long time ago. I'm 5'2" 211lbs. I have a very bad back and that is the main reason for doing this. I know in the long run I will be happier and healthier. I just need some reassurance. Has anyone out there had their surgery with Dr. Edward Mun in Boston. Ok enough rambling thanks for listening.

I'm having my band on wed. When I was having my pre-surgery testing of abdominal ultrasound they found I have gall stones and kidney stones. Great I thought I was fine until they started poking around now I have they new issues. Dr. said I will have to remove my gal bladder he will not do it at the same time as the band too risky for infection. I will now have to have that surgery six weeks after my band my stomach will look like the constelation with all the small scars. I was hoping it would get done the same time dr. said only with bypass it is done at the same time. Just my luck......

Congrats new bandsters, I will be banded on wednesday. Its good to hear your stories of a successful surgery and somewhat easy recovery. I'm terrified will not have such a smooth recovery. I feel fine now I'm afraid I will have caused myself to now live a life of problems. I know there are more success stories than not but I seem to focus on the negative ones thinking that will be my luck. Trying to be more positive. It helps to hear your stories of success.