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I have a hypothyroid second to Hashimotto Disease. I still have my Thyroid, but it's not in good shape. I just wanted to let you know that we have a Hypothyroid thread or 2 on this site. Just type in Hypo thyroid Bandsters, and it should come up.

Thanks for the NSV shares folks - I love stopping in on this thread for a little inspiration. below are some more recent NSV I've had: yesterday I was on my feet in the kitchen for 3 hours cleaning and doing food prep. I still had enough energy to go for a walk afterward. Previously, I would have been exhausted and in too much pain after that much time on my feet to even contemplate more activity. I've seen some of you mention this...revved up libido and increased "romantic joy". It's really really really REALLY true. Everything about sex is just way more fun. DH and I celebrated our 25th anniversary this week like it was our honeymoon! 😂 I reactivated an old back injury recently and was able to do the rehab exercises much easier than when I was 60 pounds heavier and I started feeling better in less than half the time than I would have prior to WLS. I'm fitting in size 16 bottoms and large tops and was able to buy clothing for myself at Costco for the first time ever. I got a couple of cute shirts for 6 bucks, an unheard of price for the plus-size clothes that Costco doesn't even carry. My husband can pick me up and has decided that his new workout is called "wife lifting". I'm perfectly fine with this, you know...gotta support his fitness goals! 😂😂😂

Elektralite Buddy, don't give up hope. Your GP (Aussie-talk for doctor) has already told you that he doesn't know much about the band, but then says he wouldn't recommend it anyway!?!?!? You know from your research that for YOU, the band is the safest way to go, with the option of being reversed should complications (God forbid) arise. As for the bypass being a 'fast' way to lose weight (as your GP advised), did he also mention that studies have shown that after a 5-year period. weight loss for both banding & bypass patients is relatively the same anyway? If you already have your referral, as hard as it may be, you may have to agree to disagree with your GP, and go ahead & make your appointment with the surgeon. He (surgeon) may know of a GP who can see you regarding any banding appointments/issues. (?) I don't have a regular GP so just went to my closest bulk-billing medical centre. The poor old GP I saw there had to ask me 3 times what I wanted the referral for, and even then I'm not sure if he was 100% sure on what it was. He didn't seem that interested in hearing what research I'd done, so I ended up not saying much to him at all about it (had the 'spiel' prepared & everything too, darn it) I used to have a regular GP, who I'd been going to for years. I last saw him 15 years ago about suffering hypos (low blood sugar). He actually said to me "What are you worried about. Diabetes skips every second generation - your mother and sister already have it, so I doubt that you will 'get' it. Stop worrying". :faint: I suppose what I'm trying to say is even those he's your GP & you respect him for all the training/experience he has, GP's are not infallible and don't always have the best/most extensive knowledge on a certain illness/procedure - that's what specialists are for. If you've done the research, and you (& your family) feel that this is the best step for you to take, and are happy with your decision, go for it Buddy. We're all there for you too - that's what these forums are all about, hey?

Things have been hard. I am still struggling with rny complications. Recently developed reactive hypoglycemia, so now I am really trying to re-learn my body all over again. Despite the Complications, I love the new body. I love that a 5k run is super easy and fun! This summer alone I have signed up for several races, 7 to be exact haha. The biggest hurdle I am struggling with is the excess skin. I know I have a bit to lose, but when doing yoga, especially a plank, I hate how my skin hangs and touches the floor. Some days I can handle this better than others. I probably will not have plastics until I have kids haha. I am just really trying to tone up my muscles a lot, and focus on being ripped under this skin. It does help. I love yoga and the days after I do yoga I care less about the skin. I just consider this to be another hurdle to jump through in the mind. I am ok with saggy skin as long as the fat doesn't make it "muffin toppy " haha I don't always eat the best nutrition, and find eating so difficult. Especially lunches! I never know what to make! How are you doing?

Why haven't you made any plans for Christmas with your kids? Why don't you have a celebration with them before the actual day and do something really fun. I mean since you waited this long to make your own plans your husband beat you to the punch line. The only plan you've made is to not let your kids go out of state with your ex. Start acting proactively instead of reactively. Thats my 2 cents.

Hi all- I just received an apology from Persistance, saying she did not mean to come across to hard on our WonderMom here. When responding to her, I realized, I too had handled it wrong. While she was harsh in the way she said things, she too is honestly looking out for Wonders safety. She deals personally with abusive relationships, and has seen the worst happen. NONE of us want that for Wonder, we all have different ways of voiceing that, and advising her. Some of us wish we could just go pull her out of the house, and fix it all for her!!! We can't. Dammit! Anyway--please know wonder, that we all just want the best for you, we worry about you. Many of us have been where you are, and know it can go from bad to worse very quickly, and we just want you to be proactive rather than reactive to things he says and does. Keep in contact with your attorney, and with us---even when we say things you don't like it is done, hoping to help you. I really do not believe anyone is trying to be unsupportive, we all just show it in different ways. Tough love is afterall still love---just wrapped up differently. Hang in there Wonder---we're all here! Kat

My experience was the other way around.. I had lap band surgery 5 years ago.. then I came down with a very nasty auto-immune disease. I had no idea of the connection until I read the following.. which I pasted into my wordpad from a lap band website.... it was only a few days ago, and I cannot seem to find the source in my favorites.. I'll keep looking.. Lizzie Silastic reaction It is possible that the material of the Band could create some type of body immune reaction that stimulates a separate disease process such as arthritis or Systemic Lupus Erythematosis (SLE). However the Band is made of a silicone elastomer which is completely non-reactive to the body tissues, as far as it has been possible to determine. The same type of material has been in use in a number of implanted medical devices over time, and no problems with tissue reaction have been demonstrated. Here again, the early data is reassuring but no true long-term information exists.

I'm having the same issue! I have momentary energy, but no stamina. It's hard to exercise because it just totally wears me out. I get my walking in, but to do more than that is almost unthinkable. Since I made 6 weeks out last week, I decided it was time to try to get back on the golf course. I walked 9 holes, with my push cart. By the third I felt that horrible exhausted/depleted feeling. I pushed through it, but it definintely took some of the joy away from being back out there. I haven't been sticking to a calorie limit, but a Protein goal set by my NUT (60-80g/day). This keeps me just under 800 calories a day. I'm wondering if I need to up the calories a bit. It's hard to do without adding carbs, since I'm getting enough protein. A bit perplexing! Maybe I just do it, say the heck with worrying about carbs, and see how it goes. My weightloss has also slowed to a crawl. 15lbs in 6.5 weeks. I've all ready stalled, and now it's just starting to inch down again. My pcp appointment was a short time ago, and my thyroid, Iron levels, and B12 are all fine. So I don't think it's a Vitamin deficiency, nor my thyroid (I have hypo). I would like to feel good after I exercise, not need to nap!

yes, you can rub coconut oil on them as your described them! It is a natural antibiotic, hypo-allergenic, and promotes healing of all kinds.... I was rubbing coconut oil on them 4 days after surgery..... just do it 2-3 times per day if you can.... also eating coconut oil can contribute to the healing as well... work your way up to 3 tablespoons per day... you have to work your way up as it can be cleansing to some people and you may get some stomach aches and loose stools with too much intake initially.... it won't hurt you, just cleansing, but can be uncomfortable.... starting with one tablespoon for 3-4 days then increasing it .... it is truly amazing stuff... don't use it if you are allergic to coconut though.... not too many are, but some may be. Any more questions, let me know! Kammi in Everett, WA

I have obstructive sleep apnea and have been using the CPAP machine for the past 10 years. I use it every night right through my sleep. I also have diabetes (take insulin injections twice a day), hyper-tension, hypo-thyroidism, and a disposition to gout attacks. I am 250lb and have been in/around that number for most of the past 10-12 years. Therefore I have decided to opt for Lap-band procedure in mid-Oct-2008. I'd like to ask the forum members for any experiences - good and bad - from those who have been using CPAP and have undergone Lap-band procedure. I have heard about bad experiences of chronic productive burping, acid reflux problems, vomitting at night and choking. These worry me a lot since these can potentially get complicated for those who use CPAP and can actually worsen cardio-pulmonary tension. Please comment.

Hi I'm Jamey. 45 yro mother of two daughters 24 and 21. I'd say my weight issues started in college. My freshman 15 was 30. I married young and it was an abusive relationship, I lost some weight remarried and became a widow at 29. Goodbye normal body forever!! I'm now married to the love of my life and my girls are both going to be married in the next year or two. My highest weight was 325 (hysterectomy and hypo thyroid helped NOT) but by the day of my surgery which was just Tuesday 9/23 I was down to 289. My goal now is 165 but I'll maybe change that when I get to that point. Nice to meet you all.

Be careful with doing everything "sugarfree". See what the sugarfree substitute is and what is the fat content, etc. Sometimes they make up for the lack of sugar by adding things that actually work against you. I try to stick to things that have Truvia (stevia) as the substitute, everything else sugarfree I stay away from. Also i'm weary of metformin it made me extremely ill, my doctor switched me to Januvia, I have a copay but its worth every penny. I'm presurgery but this is just my experience from losing in the past. Is hypothyroidism the one that makes you gain weight? I get hypo and hyper confused, but you may need to see if they need to change your thyroid meds since your surgery.

Thank you Paige and Mel! I actually have Harvard pilgrim ppo, hopefully I’ll find someone. I know this sounds odd but going through the website and seeing which doctors I can see, all of their names sound old. I don’t want an old person. Anyways I currently have some kind of respiratory infection/cold/flu from an animal that’s supposed to be nice, or whatever, and I have found that the band seems tighter after a major coughing fit, and it just tighter in general as opposed to when I didn’t have a cold. So… for people who haven’t had a cold yet… keep that in your back pocket. Paige, just as an aside, after the last meeting I reactivated my face book account and blame you for the time I spent at work on there. If I get fired, you better be able to support me. Oh! Here’s a fun story. When I was in college I was in a co-ed fraternity. I know, I know, I definitely seem the frat guy type don’t I? Well the point is I was in one. And I lost touch with the people I was in with, mainly because after college you don’t necessarily want to be reminded of all the stupid stuff you did in college (like joining a fraternity on a whim). So anyway I’m perusing face book and this girl that was in the frat I lost touch with after she moved to nyc to be a standup comedian. I’m watching her stuff on you tube and notice she has some more videos, I look them over and find out that she made these lap band videos documenting her process, much like the ones I watched before I had the surgery. So I immediately face book messaged her and then she called me and we talked for about an hour all about the band (she had hers last june) and that’s my fun story about the band. Ok, maybe this story wasn’t fun at all, but who cares, it was an entertaining read wasn’t it? I know the month is young but is anyone going to either of the support groups this month?

Quoted Betterthe Bean Just curious.....which doctor said this? You've stated so many times how bariatric surgeons in this country don't know anything, so how could the surgeon who doled out this little gem about hypoglycemia 30 years post op be trusted to know anything at all? Perhaps he's just as ignorant as the rest of the bariatric surgeons we used. After all, where are his YouTube videos backing up his claims? Hello...ButtertheBean, If you read my posts carefully I've NEVER said ALL US Bariatric surgeons don't know anything, I said to always question surgeons and get second opinions if necessary and ALWAYS be proactive with your own health. Regarding Hypoglycemia - Yes my older sister had stomach stapling surgery over 30 years ago when she was 24 years old, (similar to the Sleeve) and she has had part of her stomach removed as well she she developed ulcers from the stomach staples years ago. She's had those hypoglycemia attacks for many years, but not to the extreme as she is having them now. I've seen how she has lived with this surgery over the years and she's had many stomach problems and pain, however she's never had a problem so severe that required hospitalization, she did have to get her gall bladder removed years ago also. Now she has started to get scared for her life because the attacks are more frequent (daily) and it is causing her to be disabled, she gets really hot, dizzy and her blood pressure drops to almost fainting, a few weeks ago at the casino she fell over people and could not make it to the ladies room, they had to call the paramedics, long term Hypoglycemia can be deadly. She has been to several specialists and they got no answers, only to tell her to keep a strict diet, and she can't eat many carbs without feeling sick, and now have to keep candy and crackers with her at all times, to combat the severity of the attacks, this is when the Bariactric surgeon told her that this can happen with any stomach stapling surgery such as VBG, Sleeve, RNY or DS since the stapled small stomach causing rapid emptying of the stomach that can create these bad side effects, but in many they can get chronic and debilitating over the years. Many Sleeved friends of mine complain of (dumping like syndrome) which is probably Hypoglycemic as well. There are clinical trials right now being done on Bypass and Sleeve patients for long term Hypoglycemia Here are links to some of the studies. http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01581801 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22773085 The primary aim of the present study is to conduct a 1-year randomized trial to compare the incidence of hypoglycemia after RYGB or SG. Condition Intervention Obesity With Complications Morbid Obesity Reactive Hypoglycemia Bariatric Surgery Procedure: Gastric Bypass Procedure: Sleeve Gastrectomy Study Type: Interventional Study Design: Allocation: Randomized Endpoint Classification: Safety/Efficacy Study Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment Masking: Open Label Primary Purpose: Treatment Official Title: RANDOMIZED CLINICAL STUDY COMPARING THE EFFECT OF ROUX-en-Y GASTRIC BYPASS AND SLEEVE GASTRECTOMY ON REACTIVE HYPOGLYCEMIA Resource links provided by NLM: MedlinePlus related topics: Diabetes Medicines Hypoglycemia Obesity Weight Loss Surgery U.S. FDA Resources Further study details as provided by Catholic University of the Sacred Heart: Primary Outcome Measures: incidence reactive hypoglycemia [ Time Frame: up to 12 months ] [ Designated as safety issue: Yes ]The Primary Endpoint of the study is the incidence reactive hypoglycemia within 1 year after the bariatric surgery. Secondary Outcome Measures: insulin resistance [ Time Frame: 0,1,3,6,9, and 12 months ] [ Designated as safety issue: Yes ] Changes at 1 year of insulin sensitivity and insulin secretion measured after an OGTT. Changes at 1 year of body weight, BMI, abdominal circumference, body composition, lipid profile and cardiovascular system abnormalities. the incidence of severe hypoglycemia or related symptoms (shakiness, sweating, dizziness or light-headedness, confusion, difficulty speaking, weakness, confusion, syncope, epilepsy, seizures) within 5 years after the operation. Estimated Enrollment: 50 Study Start Date: October 2012 Estimated Study Completion Date: December 2014 Estimated Primary Completion Date: August 2014 (Final data collection date for primary outcome measure) Arms Assigned Interventions Gastric Bypass25 subjects obese subjects with complications or morbidly obese subjects will be assigned randomly to this arm to undergo gastric bypassProcedure: Gastric Bypass Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass This laparoscopic operation includes the division of the stomach in two parts. A proximal, smaller pouch (20-25 cc volume), is connected to the rest of the gastrointestinal tract through a gastro-jejunal anastomosis, whereas the distal gastric pouch is left behind but excluded from the transit of food. An entero-entero anastomosis, with a Roux-en-Y type of reconstruction, allows the bile and pancreatic juices to mix with the nutrients at about 100-150 cm from the gastro-jejunal connection. Sleeve Gastrectomy25 subjects obese subjects with complications or morbidly obese subjects will be assigned randomly to this arm to undergo sleeve gastrectomyProcedure: Sleeve GastrectomySleeve gastrectomy Laparoscopic SG involves a longitudinal resection of the stomach on the greater curvature from the antrum starting opposite of the nerve of Latarjet up to the angle of His The final gastric volume is about 100 mL.

I am a bypasser... had my bypass in 2015, turned 50 last year... having issues with GERD and reactive hypoglycaemia.. I live in Albury NSW Australia.

I wanted to comment on your statement of, " not so fat" smh people tell me that all the time and say o you shouldn't do the surgery just exercise. Which pisses me off I do exercise but having hypo thyroids is so hard so hard to lose weight. I need a tool that can help me stick my toe in the door then I'll bum rush my way in lol . Here's me now just getting my appointments in order hoping for a may date...

Thyroid Storm can act like that. So anyone on thyroid meds have to be mindful that their body is changing quickly and adjustments need to be made to medication or they might be taking too much. As a result you could throw yourself into a storm. Please keep that in mind. Your going from hypo-to-hyper! If you take thyroid meds make sure you tell the ER. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hi Forestcat Yes, I was definitely getting hungry by my first follow up appt w/the surgeon! Increasing your protein:carb ratio should help decrease your risk of reactive low blood sugars. I've had intermittent problems like that before too. To be honest, Forestcat, I was able to tolerate regular food a few wks after surgery just as long as I chewed it well. It was easier for me to get in Protein that way. That first appt took maybe 1-1.5 hrs. Not too long. I don't think they were expecting any records, but you do fill out a sheet which asks details about how much Fluid, protein, calories you are taking in, and symptoms. The dietitian reviews it w/you. There was one other person there who also had a band; we met w/the dietitian at the same time. I had my first experience w/PBs tonight! Not pleasant. Went to Red Lobster and had salmon, which was a little dry. I didn't puke, but it really felt stuck and I wanted to throw up but couldn't and didn't (thank goodness!). I got up and walked to the bathroom and stood in a stall for a while, burped as much as I can. I can definitely tell I had a fill this time, unlike the first fill! Not hungry for Breakfast anymore (Ben Meir said this would happen b/c the band is most tight in the morning). So I'm back to coffee w.protein powder only (was eating Cereal before the fill). Was warned that turkey frequently gets stuck too...will have to be careful! Happy Thanksgiving!

From what I have read Reactive hypoglycemia is something to be aware of. Google it...can't post link here.

I have the sleeve and I developed reactive Hypoglycemia after surgery as well. And I have passed out...I have to watch what I eat now all the time..Well it feels like I am eating all the time too.... gee gads!

After surgery some individuals experience low blood sugar (reactive hypoglycemia). This occurs to both individuals with diabetes and those who did not have diabetes prior to surgery. The easiest way to test for this is by measuring your blood sugar levels when you get tired after you eat. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetes/expert-answers/reactive-hypoglycemia/faq-20057778

Good to see this topic, as a diabetic on two insulin's myself my motivation for this surgery is to get off the meds and hopefully go into full remission (fingers crossed). The optifast is helping me immensely to the point I have to be extra careful with my dosages as I've had 2 hypos since I started 7 days ago.

Hi @@Phoenix40! So last Thursday I went for my Nutrition/Surgeon/Coordinator appointment. I'll describe each appointment below: First you are weighed in and your height is taken Nutrition: The nutritionist is a very nice lady and she will ask you about what type of diet you have been on (I started following the 1200 calorie diet after orientation). You will have to describe what you usually eat for Breakfast, lunch, dinner, Snacks,etc. She also talks about Vitamins and what type you will need post op (this will depend on if you get the sleeve or bypass) and what to expect as far as diet goes in the first weeks after surgery (i.e. liquids, soft foods, etc) She also informed me about the different types of Protein drinks and answered any questions I had. Surgeon: Dr. Hahn was very patient. He went over my BMI, co morbidities, medications, etc to ensure that I would be a good candidate for surgery. He said it would be my choice whether to go for sleeve or bypass as I would be great candidate for either (I don't have acid reflux). We talked about the differences between sleeve and bypass (right off the bat he discouraged from the lap band so we were in agreement about that). He reiterated that regain was possible with either surgery and so is dumping (so it really comes down to the patient being willing to put in the work to not only lose the weight but keep it off). He went into detail about possible complications withe each procedure (ulcers, reactive hypoglycemia, reflux, etc). He then set a weight loss goal for me. Normally they ask the patients to lose 10% of their body weight but Dr. Hahn only requires a 7-8%, of total body weight, loss. For me 7-8% was 19 pounds (I had already lost 9 pounds since orientation and he credited me so I needed to lose 10 pounds to get a surgery date and 5 pounds to get a psych appointment). The only other requirements Dr. Hahn set out for me, besides weight loss, is attending at least one support group, and an EKG (I already finished my bloodwork). Coordinator: She was very pleasant. She informed of what my next steps to surgery are (support group, psych appointment, etc) and that to be sure I call monthly to update them on my weight and progress. Before the psych appointment each patient must fill out a surgery quiz (located in Chapter 9 of the Bariatric binder) and send it in before the appointment. Overrall it was an interesting yet quick appointment. I was told to expect to be there for 3 hours but for me it was more like 2 hours. Sent from my SM-G925T using the BariatricPal App

Kat - thanks for the info. I think I will try and switch the training session to either the morning or to Friday. I am not concerned with on the tummy exercises, don't do those, I am concerned with being able to hydrate enough to workout hard. After this first fill then I will see how I react. You sound like it is great fun. I like the whole diversion thing you do. Good luck with your hubby. Tekymom - sorry about the port incision. That ususally happens to me, but I was fortunate that I wasn't allergic or reactive to the glue the doc used. In fact many other surgeries I have had to have wound care nursing. Good luck with the healing. Have a great night all you beautiful violets! Michelle

Terri that necklace is gorgeous! I know Pam will likely murder me if I say something (hah hah), but are they hypo-allergenic? I'm allergic to fake metals, so anytime I've ever bought those things, I break out in a rash within an hour. Are those like that? And Tracy WOW! That swimsuit is HOT... look how perfect your boobs look in that, I'm sure DH is appreciative Jennifer- Everyone is having sales right now, so I've bought some shirts & pants I can't wear right now (or can barely wear, but would do better to wear later) and hanging them in my closet. I'll get there eventually!! I also raided my mom's attic, she has tons of size 12 & 13 bell bottoms she can't wear anymore. Just for fun I tried to pull on some 13's last night.. Barely got them up my legs, and when I tried to fasten them- NO WAY! Hah hah.. they had no stretch.. woosh. One day. I am debating takin pics of me wearin those jeans once a month till I can close them. Then I'd finally be able to wear those clothes I envied my mom for!