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Bandednomore, I am glad that you posted your condition and the suspected cause of your gastroparesis. There are a lot of complications that people have that might not be "typical', but it doesn't mean that they ARE NOT caused by the band. There are several people on here, including me who have had other symptoms--similar to autoimmune disorders and after having the band removed, the symptoms disappeared. It doesn't mean that it was caused by the band, but it doesn't mean that it wasn't just because it isn't typical. Unless someone is a doctor and has performed surgery and CARED for literally thousands of band patients, then I don't consider them an expert. Having a band for years doesn't make a person an expert because everyone's bodies are different and will react differently. You might be an expert on your own case, but not any body else's.:thankyou: Best wishes to you, Tricia H

Thank you everyone, I can't believe I let that toxic poster affect me so, and I actually had a really great day the rest of that day! To anyone who was curious, it is Lipstick Lady who trolls me, I don't know what her issues are and I frankly don't care, I have enough to deal with. Happily, others have come forth on that thread (thanks CG!) and recognized that we must be careful about assuming what the "tone" of a post really is, it is so easy to misconstrue the tone of email, text, etc. My face has been puffy lately and I don't know why except that it might be the new MS drug I'm on. I want to say that I enjoy "hearing" from you guys, it doesn't matter if it is in response to something I posted, I save the 5:2 group for last when I'm going through my notifications and I settle in with my tea to enjoy the gabfest Chimera, glad to see you back! We've all talked about Thanksgiving and holiday food, it got me to thinking that "traditional" turkey day foods don't have to be calorie laden packets of evil; turkey, roasted vegetables and tubers, jellied fruits and pies made of squash. It is probably the view from my autoimmune protocol island but when you switch out all the "poisonous" ingredients, the white sugar, the Karo syrup, the vegetable oil... you have some pretty nutritious and delicious fare. Turkey is a wonderful moist protein, all the classic Thanksgiving side dish veggies like yams, brussel sprouts, green beans, are so nutritious. And we don't have to give up the sweet glazed yams or the ubiquitous green bean casserole, just get creative with the ingredients. use applesauce instead of sugar in cookies and breads, sub in chia seed for a jelly thickener, gluten free stuffing ...Did you know that pumpkin has more potassium than bananas? thank god, because I cannot choke down bananas, they remind me of slugs :/ http://alldayidreamaboutfood.com/2013/11/spicy-sausage-and-cheddar-stuffing-low-carb-and-gluten-free-freshfestive.html

Welcome, Julie.ann! Welcome, NFaith! Hey Marie, I had severe sleep apnea pre-op and had one of the CPAP contraptions. Since I've lost some weight, I no longer snore and the house has stop complaining so I've been doing fine without the machine lately. I think there is a connection between the lack of sleep and oxygen deprivation from sleep apnea and weight loss, though. Welcome, Cassy! Welcome, Lowbmier! She is stunning! Love it!! Welcome allymb! I have the APS band. I don't think the Realize band was available when I was banded, so I can't speak to that. Eggs, cheese and bbq hamburger -- works for me! In my next life I am coming back as one of your dogs. Way to go, Marcy! Way to go, Ador! I got a good butt kickin' today, too -- feels good! (Of course, I mean that in a totally non-S&M way. Not that there's anything wrong with that. Oh, I better stop here.) Hey Greenie, Congrats! Good to hear from you! Keep us posted on those results, Mini. How's the swelling today? When you say autoimmune and vascular, I get worried. Shit elves -- love it! We used to call a Code Brown. Sung to the Village People Tune, right? LOL Way to go Mini!Time to move on down the clothesline to the thong! I'm feeling a special vibe with Mille -- she's chubby and mean and makes Charlie cry. I like her. When will you hear results? Keep us posted! Tally, I love your grandbabies' names! Please tell your daughter thanks for what she's doing for those old dogs -- that is wonderful!! I can't keep up with you guys anymore, but I still love you all!

Now the button in the top right corner that shows a little envelope indicating your messages, is gone. So I guess I have no messaging capacity now? gah. Yesterday was a fast day, I love how salad greens are still sticker foods for me, making me feel full for a really long time. Cheri - I have had shingles, it sucks!! Perhaps you could try going on an autoimmune protocol for a few weeks? OD - I'm glad to see that you made a list of why you shouldn't be with that guy, post it where you can see it, bathroom mirror, fridge!

I wish we'd hear from Brandy too. I'm getting nervous. I'm going to zhumba in a bit here, so I hope she checks in before then. I'm really hoping I'm still borderline. Crud. I was sure it was going to be really good!! Well, I'll just keep losing more weight and get it under control. What else can I do? Still don't know what the swelling thing is about. I may have to go to my rheumatologist. Argh. It's a real production to get an appointment, and then they just kind of shrug their shoulders and say "well, as you know there's not much we can do for autoimmune problems. Make sure you take your NSAIDS." The good news is that my ANA titer has been way down for the past 2 years, so there doesn't seem to be anything active going on. So I doubt it's related . . .

I spoke with the bariatric center and apparently, due to health problems, my surgeon will probably decide which one will work best for me then I'll have to make the final decision if I am ok with it or not. Guess I'll continue to research both, just in case I only have one choice. I hate that I can't just pick which one I want! I have myasthenia gravis (a form of muscular dystrophy.. a rare autoimmune disease that causes chronic muscle weakness). One of the symptoms I suffer from is difficulty swallowing. If I fail the test they will perform, I'll probably have to go with the sleeve. I also have a large list of weird and common medical problems that can effect either procedure and how it works so I have alot of homework and a ton of tests to go through. Unfortunately, this is going to take a while. Thank you all so much for your feedback! I really appreciate it.

Autoimmune disorders are a contraindication for the surgery. Trust me, you do NOT want something foreign inside your body if your immune system is not at 100%. You may need to find another option...RNY? Sleeve?

I have a personal and family history of autoimmune disease that would make it difficult to get the right meds after bypass (prednisone etc.). I also hate the idea of cutting out and rearranging my intestines. I know that removing most of your stomach is also drastic and unnatural but the intestinal chop-job and reroute is more than I want to inflict on my body. Lesser considerations: struggling to get adequate vitamins for the rest of your life with the bypass, strong possibility that you will have to completely give up several types of food and not even taste them again (asparagus, steak, bread, sweets -- I have read that all of these can cause major distress to people with bypass), greater risk of surgical complications with the bypass, stronger possibility of lingering unpleasant digestive problems with the bypass (gas, diarrhea, vomiting), the idea of a blind, inaccessible portion of your stomach floating around and possibly getting cancerous with no way to scope it and see what's going on, and the fact that the few people I know who have had the bypass did well with their weight loss but struggled with energy and health after. This is a sleeve board so likely you will get lots of people singing the praises of the sleeve and explaining the downsides (as we see them) to the bypass -- make sure you get lots of good info from all different kinds of sources before you make your decision. Good luck to you!

Ed, I think you are right, your info may be dated. The lap band is a very successful weight loss surgery and I can recommend a book or two (available from Amazon and most likely your local barnes and noble or borders store).... I got my band 8/29 and never had a moment's nausea or vomiting. HOWEVER (caveat) the point of the band is to FORCE Portion Control by restricting how quickly one can eat and how much one can eat. If you try to sit down with a plate of fried chicken or a big juicy steak and chow down like the "old days" (just naming 2 favorite foods of mine here) you are going, once your band is tightened, to be one very unhappy camper. food that can't go through your "stoma" (the small opening to your stomach that is formed by the placement and tightening of the band) will get "stuck". If it can't go on down, it goes back up! That is unpleasant because it involves esophageal spasming, gouts and bunches of thick mucous affectionately called "slime", and an enraged stomach. No bile or acid comes up so it isn't really normal "vomiting" but it is still mighty unpleasant. You can begin to see that, most times, this is caused by user error....if you don't chew at least 30 times before swallowing, if you take too large a bite, or if you are full but keep eating, BAM! up it comes. The big plus of the band, of course, is that you CAN eat steak (especially once you've lost your excess weight) and be full and happy (and healthy) with a much smaller portion that what used to satisfy you. Some people prefer their band super tight and so will be prone to PB and Slime (PB means "productive burp, by the way) Others, like me, will prefer to follow the rules, use a little will power, listen to the old body, and hope to avoid EVER doing that PB thing. Not all vomit, slime, PB. Just some. As to having it removed? Maybe in the early days. Bands are more kindly devices now. They slip less and rarely erode, but the first ones were larger and more rigid and had more concommitant problems. If you (god forbid) get a disease and need "more" nutrition, the band can be loosened (unfill, they call it) and in rare instances where you develop an autoimmune disorder of some sort, the band can be removed. (try that with another bariatric surgery!) Aside from any surgery being risky, the band requires one to change eating habits. (no drinking with meals; it washes food through and negates the positive effects of the band) No carbonated beverages ever (champagne, soda, beer, tonic water) because the gas they cause is misery and can in extremes do damage. If you eat out of boredom etc the band can't stop that; it only curbs true physiologic hunger. The "head" hunger is in your boat. So you can see it may be an effective tool for one to use to lose weight. I liken it to a hammer; it won't build the house unless you pick it up and use it. But for driving a nail, it's very very useful to have it!

There is a lot of info online about CRP - look at the medical sites like Mayo Clinic and webmd. High CRP can have cardiac implications. I'm glad they are testing you for different autoimmune disorders. I was tested for everything under the sun and nothing came back positive, so the rheumatologist just wrote me off. When I stopped gluten, I was a different person in just 3 days. It was amazing, I went from needing a walker just to get around, to walking 2 miles - within 2 weeks! That was about 5 years ago. When I stopped all sugar a year ago (pre surgery), the inflammation dropped even more. Absolutely no NSAIDS needed and I was using Aleve twice a day, every day. Now that I am doing a whole foods plant based (WFPB) diet, I feel even better. I will have more inflammatory markers drawn in February and I expect them to be normal now. This is just my own story - not saying it has to be the same for anyone else, But dietary changes transformed my life as far as inflammation goes.

Sorry autoimmune issues seen to go together for me ive am hoping weight loss will help with the brain fog and tiredness but I do take a ton of b12 it helps some. All b12 supplements don't work the same for me b 12 2500 mcg from walmart dissolved and b 12 10 000 mcg shots work best for me.

I became hypothyroid after the birth of my first child when I was 32. At the time, I was told it was thyroiditis and I believed that if I took medicine, eventually my body would regulate and I would stop needing medicine. A year ago an old classmate was describing her Hashimoto's and I had to ask my doctor if I had Hasimoto's. He was like, "absolutely," but he didn't think that mattered to my treatment. It mattered to me, because it's an autoimmune disorder and you can eat differently to help symptoms. When the doctor removed part of my stomach, there was an "irritated" section and I believe it was damage from gluten. Body shape wise, I would say I am more of a pear than a box or apple. Maybe the box shape is easier to see on a male frame?

Hi All! I've been thinking about this for 3 yrs. I finally cleared all the tests (for the last 2 yrs, i was unable to do it because i had bowel problems. We now know i have an autoimmune disorder). Now, i put my deposit down and have a date (one month out). I came to this site to find people like me. People who can understand what i'm going through. I know there are a lot of you out there who have been through this! I'm a 40 yr old mom of 3. I'm so scared that me not being able to control my weight has lead to the surgery and now im putting myself at risk. Negativity begets negativity - so i desperately want to get to that positive place where i don't go online to read about blood clots, horror stories! GOsh, not to mention friends & doctors who think i'm nutz. Have any of you felt like this? Should i go to a therapist? Do yoga? Find local support groups? Thank you for listening to me. Thank you to whoever responds. I appreciate you!

I have Raynaud's. It can be associated with autoimmune disease. I am under the care of a rheumatologist. It usually doesn't bother me unless I am super cold.

Also.... for those of us with autoimmune issues, I have found a way of eating which I am trying to see if it can be modified to sleevers. Obviously, it needs to because I have not been able to loose weight on it! I have noticed that I do feel better though. Check out Paleo or Primal Blueprint. It's basically protein, fruit and vege based. You eat totally grain free and some people don't eat dairy. So, you can modify it. It was easy for me because of Celiac. My brother has MS, and it has helped him a great deal. My father-in-law has RA, and I am trying to get him into it, but he is single and not too good with anything other than the microwave! If anything, it is a great read and very interesting. It is a lot of work because you don't eat anything processed either. They also have a great workout, based on crossfit.

Hi All, Just curious if there are any other sleevers, future or sleeved, that have RA or similar health issues. I have Rheumatoid arthritis and 2011 was a horrible year for me. Lots of pain and lots of health issues. Anyhow, just looking to share the experiences. Odee

I have autoimmune Urticaria (hives). and I take 7 10 antihistamines a day. On my last allergist visit, she suggested that WLS could possibly "reboot"" my system and the hives may go away. I hope so, I've had them for 14 years. Getting rid of hives and weight loss would be heaven on earth!

I've been exercising intermittently. I've been swimming whenever the weather is good for the past week and a half, walking on the treadmill whenever I felt up to it since I came home from surgery, even tried jogging a bit now that my incisions no longer hurt. Nothing structured or scheduled, I'm sad to admit, but I've got a weird body that likes to act up on me and keep me from exercising whenever I start to get into a routine. One of the reasons I decided to have surgery is that I tried for over 2 years to make the diet and exercise thing my "full-time job" but with my screwy health, it was impossible. At least now my stomach is no longer working against me. :thumbup1: I am not giving up on exercise though, I just have to accept my limitations and exercise as much as I can when my body cooperates. The good news is that it is getting easier as the weight comes off, and maybe some of my migraines, autoimmune issues and crazy fatigue will improve or go away as well!

I read this article about lap band an i want to ask a question. How long does the lapband last. I went to a seminar in the town that i live in and asked a doctor that puts in lapbands how long does it last? He told me forever but nothing last forever we all know that so my question is how long does the lapband last really. The article said that they need more research because they dont know how long they can last in a human body. Help me yall im having second thoughts after reading that. Not only how long does it last but does it cause autoimmune diseases? What are the research on that im lost?

I had the gastric sleeve on Monday . . . . everything went great. I originally was looking into lap band but due to autoimmune disease the drs discouraged it and also told me I made the right decision because they're having lots of "issues" with the LapBand. I think the sleeve is the way to go!

In keeping with my rant about flying, does anyone have issues with their autoimmune when traveling? The airport and flight wore me out much more than I'd expected, and I'm glad I packed my pain meds, I definitely needed them the first night in the hotel. sent from mobile device

Just wanted to introduce myself. I am now the proud owner of a " sleeve". My surgeon Dr. Anthony Maffei did a wonderful job!! It's an exciting journey each day...and also tiring I can't wait until next week when I can have a soft Protein. It's so worth it, after only 1 week I lost 10 pounds!!!!!!! It is taking adjustment but my daughter had it when she was 28 , she's two years out amd her entire life changed around....so she is my role model:) she tells me how proud she is of me ...I have had a lot of health issues including autoimmune disease....I know that won't go away but I will have a healthier body to take anything on...this was an early birthday gift to myself. ???? Surgery was February 17 ...Wed....I will cherish Starting weight 308 Pre op dieting and surgery weight loss to date ...286!!! I'm happy to have found this support group!

Thank you, everyone, for your kind and honest replies. I know that I'm an emotionally strong person. I've gotten through so many things in life without help or medication. But food has definitely been my crutch, and I guess it's just hard to imagine being in a place where I really don't want to eat every 5 minutes. I have my first appt on Friday, and I plan to ask for the name of a counselor who specializes in weight loss issues. I'm definitely going to line up a good support network going into this. I'm one of those people who always has statistically improbable things happen. The list is long, but includes my daughter dying, my house being struck by lightening and burning to the ground, and me being diagnosed with an autoimmune disease so rare that it took 18 years and a team at Johns Hopkins to figure it out. Ok, I'm not throwing out a sob story here... just hoping you'll understand why it's hard to quiet the voice in my head that keeps pointing out all that can go wrong. Anyway, I'm so glad I found this website. I'm sure we'll get to know each other over the next year or so,and I'll try not to be too neurotic! Thanks again. PS: Thanks for the suggestion about the knee injections, Virginia. I did ask my doc about them but he said there's no room between my bones and they (injections) would be useless. Cortisone has helped a bit.

I am worried myself.I should of chosen the RNY back in 2004.I had the choice and I went with the lapband because it was the "new" less invasive way to go....In the end....not really...from what I can see the Sleeve seems to be working for a number of people.I need to take autoimmune drugs that I will be on for the rest of my life.Malabsorbtion is not an option .So I am sticking with the Sleeve...and I am just like you...scarred from the band eating ravenously when I can because I never know when I Am going to barf..,this is what we have become from having the band.It is a form of bulimia....thanks to the band and my food cravings and addictive personality.Go Sleeve and don't look back!You will get on track because that craving enzynme will be reduced.Keep me posted!