gingeryank

Is anyone out there suffering from an autoimmune disease? If so, has the disease affected your weight loss journey? How so? I have a genetic autoimmune disease called Ankylosing Spondylitis. My overactive immune system attacks my spine, large joints, and eyes among other things. I got this surgery because of AS. I know it won't cure my AS, but I welcome any measure that will reduce the pressure on my spine. Ways my weight loss journey has been affected: AS causes chronic fatigue. Couple that with the fatigue we all feel following WLS, and it's a bear. I'm limited to two forms of exercise: walking and swimming. No weight training. Since muscle burns fat, that's a bummer. But I'm still hopeful. I've lost 36 lbs (pre op and post op combined, height 5'1, surgery Feb 25). I'm at a stall at the moment, and I would love to hit the gym with gusto. My body and mind/will are not in sync. I would love to hear from those with similar battles. Tell me all of this gets better? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@@pjames123 Message me if you want. I can send you a link to a FB support group. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@@pjames123 That's great progress! I fight head hunger, too, particularly when I watch other people eat old favorites or when I want to eat my stress. But it's nothing like before. I don't feel as frantic about food as I once did. Support groups help a lot. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Sleeved 2/25. Down 55 lbs (18 pre op). Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Where are you located? My rheumy is Dr. Juan Contreras in Frisco, TX. He is phenomenal. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Gingeryank, thank you for sharing your post. Hope you feel and get better. After reading your post I believe my wls has been impacted with something similar to you but I'm just learning about my new symptoms and kept wondering why I haven't been as successful as others, aside from my injuries but also my pain which your posts rang a bell in my head. Reason why I've come here to search if anyone else with the wls was experiencing and autoimmune disorders since their wls. I need to find a specialist to help me find out if I suffer from any autoimmune disorder. What sort of doctor did you see for your autoimmune?? I had my WLS Nov. 2013 and due to low back and knee injury I was never able to workout nor do weights. I've lost of total 55 lbs combined pre/post surgery. I've gained a few pounds but have go up and down and have been able to maintain so that's a good thing. And even though I'm losing pounds I'm still losing inches slowly but still happening. I'm on the site today to research if any other have experience a sudden autoimmune disorders. I most certainly felt the fatigue after the wls but progressed and here and there when not feeling would go see me my primary doctor with symptoms of feeling achy flu like symptoms and she would order lab work and few times lab shows high wbc and she would tell me it could be S virus I'm fighting and just to rest up. More recently I've suddenly got a fungus on my toes nails, mainly the big toes, I'm very clean/shower etc and was dumbfounded to learn I had this toe fungus and unclear how I got it. Then I started getting these weird scaly red bumps that itch like crazy on different part of my body, they itch more at night. So I then went to see a dermatologist and prescribed Jublia for my toes nail and a fungus lotion for my body rash. Well 5 months out and I still can't get rid of both the toe fungus or rash that conf and go. Now another issue, with last 3 weeks I've been experiencing major pain/aches on my finger/hand joints So I started to research cause of fungus, joint pain and lean be yo possible autoimmune disorder and possibly to also see rheomologist for joint pain. What I've learned to eat for home all natural remedies is to eat fresh garlic and add apple cider vinegar to my diet/food intake which helps with detoxing our digestive system without killing our natural bacteria. I've also recently started to shed lots hair like I did 4 month after my wls. Since I had my surgery I also learned that it may cause autoimmune disorders and I believe my wls may be the culprit as I eat well and healthier more than ever and all these symptoms started after my wls. Today I go see my endrocongist and wil inquiring with her of yo refer to an autoimmune doctor, not sure if she handle these condition as she's treating me for my hypothyroidism which I became after wls and for my type 2 disburse which I had prior to my wls Thought to share my experiences and not sure if 100% related to wls but didn't have any of the issues before. I hope everyone feels and gets better and will share anything I learn as I go. Take care! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@Jilly69: So much of what you wrote resonated with me. Thanks for sharing. I was sleeved 2/25. I've lost 55 lbs and have 21 left until goal. I, too, have failed biologics. I take something for pain and fatigue, but both have improved since my weight loss. The fatigue is still a real challenge, but overall, I feel so much better. I wish you much success. P.S. You wrote that you didn't know anyone else with AS. I was like you. I lead two FB groups for folks with AS, and I'm a member of many others. Message me if you'd like, and I can try to get you to the right place. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

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Greetings, all. I'm a newbie. I'm a 5'1 mother to a three-year-old son and a professor by trade. My pre-op weight was 212. I was 192.8 on the day of my surgery, Feb 25th, and today I'm 176.2. My surgeon was Dr. Thomas Roshek in Plano/Frisco, TX. I'm thrilled with the surgery and the 35.2 lb weight loss, but I don't have a large support system in general, and I have a support system of exactly 0 in relationship to my surgery. I didn't know how much I'd need someone (or a small village?) to walk this journey with me until now, my fifth week post op. My husband is not supportive. He doesn't overtly try to undermine my progress, but he doesn't ask questions. He hasn't made a single comment about my weight loss. And he's a gym rat--a muscular, bully of a guy who used to be a personal trainer. This is sort of his business, so to speak: to notice body changes. But I digress. Clearly I need to look elsewhere for an anchor to keep me from drowning. I want to succeed. Do you know of any support groups--virtual or face-to-face--in the north DFW area? A private FB group? Helpful forums on here? Anything, really. ginger Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@Mane2016: Thanks for the valuable feedback. I'm wondering how your surgery went? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

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@@bananabellyaches What are the odds? Wow. Send me a message if you want my details. I can also have you added to a FB support group if you need one. I've been going to the Baylor support group. It's great! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

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@@theantichick I think a spoonies group is an excellent idea. I had VSG to help with my AS symptoms. Like you, I know it won't cure me. But the surgery is already helping tremendously. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

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Jawbone UP3. It tracks my heart rate, sleep patterns, and exercise and is Water resistant. Can wear it showering and swimming but not supposed to submerge it below a certain depth, if I recall correctly. I liked the Fitbit, too, but enjoy the UP app better. The app provides daily goals and reminders and educational pieces. You can also set the band to buzz if you need reminders to move, take meds, etc. Like many of the other fitness bands, the UP3 integrates seamlessly with myfitnesspal. There's a clip-on version, but it doesn't have the bells and whistles. My only complaint about the UP3 is the way that it fastens. It kind of slides/clips in, and the band can come off or catch on things occasionally if you're not careful. Hasn't happened often but worth mentioning. I find the UP3 to be reasonably accurate. I also like that it's just a slim band. I don't like wearing watches or bracelets, but I can handle this. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I used the Nicholson Clinic, too. Dr. Thomas Roshek did my sleeve. I chose him specifically after a long search. My GI actually referred me to the Nicholson Clinic. He (the GI) said he would recommend anyone in that office. Good luck! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@@DuckieXD Welcome to the "group," and congrats on your upcoming surgery! I hope those of us who replied to this thread can keep in touch. I'd love to follow everyone's progress. Good luck! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@@madeline121 Thanks for the encouragement. Hubby update: our issues go beyond this one, which just happened to be my last straw. It seemed like he was either irritated with me or ignoring me all of the time. Our home did not feel peaceful or even emotionally safe. I suggested separation. He wants to work on things and has been more supportive since my suggestion. We'll see. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I have such a love/hate (mostly hate) relationship with prednisone. At times, taking it was the only way I could function during a flare. But the weight gain was horrible. I hope I can encourage you. I'm down 40 lbs at 6 weeks post op. My mobility has greatly improved. I'm walking an hour four times a week. I've yet to determine if the flares will be fewer, but I didn't have a working treatment plan for my Ankylosing Spondylitis prior to surgery. First I tried Humira. Now Cimzia. My rheumy is talking Remicade. I'm currently on sick leave. When I'm not, I have to go into the office 10 hrs/wk. I mostly work from home because of my immune system and chronic fatigue. Best of luck to you! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

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@@Inner Surfer Girl Thank you. I hadn't considered OA. I do think I need more face-to-face interactions. Next week I'm attending my first bariatric support group. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Thank you, @@KristenLe Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Leaving my house. My situation is complicated by a chronic illness, but even without the progressive disease (AS), I have felt so self-conscious. When I was working (I'm on sick leave now), I hated getting "elevator eyes" from my colleagues--you know, the quick, but not-so-subtle looks up and down that make you want to sink into the floor. I went to get a mammogram and was nearly turned away because the employee was certain I was pregnant. I used to hide--even from my husband--because I was so embarrassed. Baggy clothes, pillow in front of my belly when I sat on the sofa, the whole bit. Thank goodness for the therapy I got before the surgery. I was able to go into it with more confidence and more self-respect. And it keeps getting better. I'm already going more places with my son. I'm even looking forward to going back to work. I've been on sick leave for my AS since January, so I've really been a hermit. Most importantly, I'm looking forward to living a longer, happier life (I hope!). Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

You're not alone. I'm 6 weeks out tomorrow and sleep 10 hours a night. I'm exhausted. I take my Vitamins, too, and I aim for 800 calories a day. I struggle to get my Protein and Water in. I get in the bare minimum. I know I need more calories and hydration because I've started walking an hour a day. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App