Tina123

My Rheumatologist, PCP, Hematologist and GI doctor all say no. Any surgery is high risk for APS patients.

Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune disease. It is a sister to Lupus. "APS is associated with recurrent clotting events (thrombosis) including premature stroke, repeated miscarriages, phlebitis, venous thrombosis (clot in the vein) and pulmonary thromboembolism (blockage of an artery found in the lung due to a clot that has traveled from a vein). It is also associated with low platelet or blood elements that prevent bleeding. Recently, however, even more disease states have been linked with APL including premature heart attack, migraine headaches, various cardiac valvular abnormalities, skin lesions, abnormal movement/chorea, diseases that mimic multiple sclerosis, vascular diseases of the eye that can lead to visual loss and blindness. APS is an autoimmune disorder in which the body recognizes certain normal components of blood and/or cell membranes as foreign substances and produces antibodies against them. There are two known forms of APS. APS may occur in people with systemic lupus erythematosus, other autoimmune disease, or in otherwise healthy individuals." (From the APS Foundation of America, Inc. Welcome ~ APS Foundation of America, Inc) My local hospital does this surgery & Gastric Bypass both via lap and they will NOT do it on me because of my APS and my lupus like symptoms. They are afraid of surgical complications - ei. stroke, PE, DVT, bleeding, etc. They are worried about healing issues. They are worried that I will reject the band as well. (Knowing my body rejected the IUD after 24 hours and I got a nice flare and infection and it is made out similar materials. They are right.) They are concerned how I will be able to maintain my INR due to restricted diet, etc. I have gotten a strong no from every one of my doctors. Logically, I know they are right. Disappointed as heck, yep. So, no, I do not think you would be a candidate. Of course, I am sure you could find someone who would do it anyway. Me, I am not going to risk it. Come close to death too many times from APS to know better.