danaclark2

Here's what Inamed says: ***Number 18 talks about auto-immune disorders but does not mention thyroid problems. Contraindications The LAP-BAND System is not right for you if: You have an inflammatory disease or condition of the gastrointestinal tract, such as ulcers, severe esophagitis, or Crohn's disease. You have severe heart or lung disease that makes you a poor candidate for surgery. You have some other disease that makes you a poor candidate for surgery. You have a problem that could cause bleeding in the esophagus or stomach. That might include esophageal or gastric varices (a dilated vein). It might also be something such as congenital or acquired intestinal telangiectasia (dilation of a small blood vessel). You have portal hypertension. Your esophagus, stomach, or intestine is not normal (congenital or acquired). For instance you might have a narrowed opening. You have/experienced an intra-operative gastric injury, such as a gastric perforation at or near the location of the intended band placement. You have cirrhosis. You have chronic pancreatitis. You are pregnant. (If you become pregnant after the BioEnterics® LAP-BAND® System has been placed, the band may need to be deflated. The same is true if you need more nutrition for any other reason, such as becoming seriously ill. In rare cases, removal may be needed.) You are addicted to alcohol or drugs. You are under 18 years of age. You have an infection anywhere in your body or one that could contaminate the surgical area. You are on chronic, long-term steroid treatment. You cannot or do not want to follow the dietary rules that come with this procedure. You might be allergic to materials in the device. You cannot tolerate pain from an implanted device. You or someone in your family has an autoimmune connective tissue disease. That might be a disease such as systemic lupus erythematosus or scleroderma. The same is true if you have symptoms of one of these diseases. Some surgeons say patients with a "sweet tooth" will not do well with the LAP-BAND System. If you eat a lot of sweet foods, your surgeon may decide not to do the procedure. The same is true if you often drink milkshakes or other high-calorie liquids.

I had heard something like this--but I guess I was thinking it was more severe autoimmune disorders that would prevent one from getting the band--not that one is easier than the other. I have hypothyroidism, and my doctor did not say anything about it. I even asked him directly. "I have hypothyroidsim. Can I still get the band?" His answer was YES. I don't have any allergies--that I know of--except I swell really badly after a bee sting. My husband, however, has terrible allergies, eczema, etc. He might react adversly to a foreign object in his body. I think everyone probably has a slight autoimmune thing going on--even if it's a slight allergy of some kind. Anyway--I'm willing to take the risk to be able to lose some of this weight.

Hi, all! Just talked to a good friend who is a pharmacist. She said that she has seen people on Prozac, Zoloft,---some of the older anti-depressants, as she puts it--gain a lot of weight. Gaining weight would definitely make me more depressed... She recommended Welbutrin XL (300mgs?) or Lexapro (?SP) because she has seen nothing but weight loss on these anti-depressants. I certainly don't want to get on anti-depressants that contribute to weight gain. Being obese is part of my misery. So--there are meds out there that help calm nerves vs. anti-depressants? I thought Valium would only be prescribed for severe, severe anxiety due to life altering events. Am I wrong? I don't know if I'm depressed or just severly irritable (nerves)...I don't feel hopeless and sad, but I do have insomnia at times and could sleep all day at times, too. The VERY WORST TIMES FOR ME ARE ABOUT 7-10 DAYS BEFORE MY PERIOD. Ahh--just want to feel calm. I've never had a panic attack--don't feel that anxious. I'm just on the edge all the time. Make sense? Any thoughts?

Paraphrasing Dr. Phil--I heard him say that sometimes habits form for one reason and continue for another--or other reasons. As I reach the conclusion that I do need WLS to be successful with permanent weight loss, I ponder why I got here (270 lbs.) in the first place. I know there are a lot of threads on this topic, but it helps me to "put it out there" for comments. I believe my THING with food started as a very young chlid. My family moved a great many times--I was in 3 different high schools 5 different times. Food was constant. Food was comfort. I definitely ate from emotions. But now--while I do believe I eat emotionally at times, I feel I overeat mainly for a sense of PHYSICAL CALM--perhaps for a serotonin increase or what have you. I've never been on anti-depressants, but I wonder if I need to be. I don't feel sad or hopeless. I'm just tired a lot (due to weight, I'm sure) and...I don't know. I know this, though. After my c-sections, I was given Lortabs for pain. While on these, I had NO desire for food. I felt calm. I can see how people get addicted to these pain meds. I just can't help but think that maybe we all (overeaters) have some slight chemical imbalance--some something missing that causes us to not feel satisfied on a normal amount of food. I'd love to know how thin people feel after eating little food. I'm sure many find other food substitutes to feel calm--like nicotine or alcohol. Ahh--I just want to feel normal. I'm near my "time" and have an incredible hunger though I'm not hungry. It's not emotional, I don't think. It's something definitely chemical/hormonal. Any thoughts?

Poodles-- Does Effexor make you feel calmer? Does it help with nerves? You know that irritable feeling--you could just scream at anyone who comes your way... Does it help with that? That's what I really need--Something to calm my nerves.

Poodles-- I was telling my husband, Mom, and OBGYN nurse that I really believe I have something out of whack--especially 7-10 days before my period. I am seriously CRAZY about 7 days before--anxious, easily irritated, etc. I didn't know the term for it--but now I do--Manic PMS? I've heard that they have a Prozac that you can take just for a few days around this horrible PMS time. Have any of you used that? I definitely think I need to be on something. Thanks for the suggestion of Effexor. I think I'll ask my doc. about that one.

Mandisa does have an awesome voice. I've heard her live--she has lead the music at our church a few times (in middle TN). She is a genuinely kind person. I really hope she goes far. AND--I like the fact that she doesn't let her weight stop her from pursuing her dreams...

I have BCBS of TN. Just called them today, and finally, they have all needed documents in the system. They said they received all the paperwork on Feb. 15 and are just now getting to it... Anyway--I'm gland they have everything...now I wait for an answer... Good luck to you all.

Poodles--So, so, so true about the sugar. I know I'm addicted. It's like I don't have a good day unless I have something sweet. How sick is that? And--3loves--I think I had vicoden after my gall bladder surgery--it was just like the lortabs for me, too,--such a calming effect. I know all obestiy and overeating is not due to chemical imbalances, etc. But, for me, I do believe it plays a great part. I've often told people if I started smoking or drinking, that I'd probably be skinny. No matter what brought me to this point, I must not sit in self pity and blame...I must take charge of what I've been dealt and reach for healing. I think I might need to be on an anit-depressant for a little while. I've had three babies within four years. I have an almost 5 yr. old, an almost 3 yr. old, and an almost 1 yr. old. I think my chemicals/hormones are definitely out of whack somewhere. :couch2: Blessings to all of you as you venture to defeat the fat. --and thanks for the replies.

Oh, Wow! I hope I follow in your footsteps once banded...

Hi, all! I'm soon to be banded (hopefully if my insurance complies), but I've been reading a lot about if you have a metabolic disorder, you may not be a good candidate for WLS. I have CONTROLLED hypothyroidsim. Presently, I'm on Synthroid .112 mgs. My doctor says I am a candidate for WLS even with this disorder. Why would all the literature say that I'm not? I know several people with this disorder who've had WLS. I'm just trying to understand why having hypothyroidsim would stop someone from the surgery (according to the literature). Any thoughts? Thanks--

lildarlin, I know your struggle. I really do believe it's harder to lose weight with hypothyroidism--not impossible, but harder. I'm praying the band does help me get the weight off. I believe it will! Good luck--

I'm right there with you guys--Waiting-for-the-insurance-to-respond stage. I, like you, Carroline, have BCBS of TN/PPO. I believe it's been about 5 business days for me now. I'm really anxious to hear a reply. Hopefully, it won't be long now. I'm trying to figure out--if you've completed all they require, why any insurance company would give you a "No." Any thoughts?

I wonder if I've always had thyroid problems--since early childhood, I mean. I wonder if my TSH has always been on the edge, making it easier for me to gain weight. I remember being sluggish as a child--tired a lot, too. I've been overweight as long as I can remember. I'm not blaming my thyroid for all my weight gain, but I am a very active person now--and I have such a difficult time losing weight--even when on my meds. But--with my TSH regulated, with regular exercise, and with a major decrease in calories (hopefully due to the band), I believe I will be successful at weight loss. I really don't care if it takes me 2-3 years to lose it all--as long as it happens. Blessings to you all on this weight loss/health journey.

Thank you all for your posts--This makes sense to me now. By the way, my PCP and OBGYN do not agree on normal TSH levels. My OBGYN says women my age (31) should have a TSH of NO HIGHER than 2, preferably between 1 and 2. My PCP is happy with my TSH at 2.55. What have you all been told?

Hey, Vines! I think you're right--it definitely could skew the doctors's data to have a slow loser. I just wanted to make sure that it was safe to have the surgery with hypothyroidism--not just a matter of if the band would actually work or not. Cushing's--that's when you have high levels of cortisol, right? Do they know what is causing your level to be elevated? If you get it treated, can you resume losing weight? I hope for you a solution to this--I know it's so difficult for me to lose weight with my thyroid problem--even when on my meds and with my TSH normal. It's so frustrating, but we march on. :confused: Thanks for responding to my message.

I pray for you and your family peace beyond understanding. I'm so sorry.

I'd be pretty ticked off, too. So sorry about your day--I hope tomorrow's much better.

This maybe a long shot--but you might want to have your thyriod tested, too. Low thyroid hormones can cause hair loss, as well.

Tina-- Sounds good. I'll have to try those. Won't be long until I join you on the banding journey! :cool:

Illude-- Beautiful!! Just beautiful! Thanks for sharing--I'm so happy for you. :couch2:

Melissa, My point exactly!!! People on the outside can look at us--and because of our weight--judge us, thinking we are fat, blubbery slobs who eat compulsively all day long--when that's not true. We all have different body types, genetics, metabolic set-points, weight loss/gain histories, physical conditions (thyroid problems), etc. that contribute to our present state of obesity. This is what I know, though. When I do reach the promise land (of the best weight for me and health), I will enjoy it so much more than a person who's never had a weight problem. It's like this--if you never had a headache--how would you ever know how awesome it is to have had a headache and then have it leave... Without pain, we cannot fully grasp how great it is to be without pain. Onward, band soldiers! I'm proud of all of you. Can't wait to get mine.

I think it's really difficult to have hope in losing weight when you are 100 lbs. or more overweight. It's like you've reached a point of no return--a point that you really need medical, surgical intervention. Look at the statistics--98% of obese people will NEVER reach ideal weight and maintain it without surgery--not that it can't be done--but only 2% of these amazing soldiers can do it on their own. Why, oh, why is that? I've known one person 100 lbs. overweight who lost 110 lbs. by eating low-fat for a year. That was over five years ago, and now she's gained all the 110 lbs. back and more. I honestly cannot think of ONE person who has lost over 100 lbs. on their own and kept it all off for more than 5 years. Can you? Oh, wait, maybe Oprah...

rorysmom, With jogging five miles a day, and being only 21 years old--you'd think I'd make it below 175 lbs.--which I'd be jumping for joy if I weighed now. I didn't mean to come across so angrily--I just know that I've tried and tried and tried and tried to lose weight on my own, and it just hasn't happened--for what ever reason--whether it was physical or mental or emotional. Not everyone has the same body type and genetic make-up. The amount of food I eat at 270 lbs. and what my friend eats at 155 lbs. could be the same, but our weight isn't. For what reasons??? Could be a multitude of things. Not all fat people are blubbery gluttons without self-control. I have self-control in a lot of areas. I have a master's degree in Education--paid for by myself. I have three children and a clean home. I excersise daily. For whatever reason--I can't get this weight off myself. Period. I wish the best for your cousin--success like he/she has never known before.

Praying for you a complete recovery!!!