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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.

Hello, I'm Kim Harris and I've had the band since early 2010. Althouh I loat weight, I've had nothing but problems from the get-go. A year and a half ago I was diagnosed with a Sjogrens, an autoimmune disease similar to lupus, which causes joint pain and fatigue 24/7. I just received word today from my surgeon that insurance has approved the removal of my band. I am praying that removing the band improve my health with respect to my autoimmune condition. I considered having a revision to a gastrectomy but metal staples would be yet another foreign object permanently placed in my body for my body to reject and continue the autoimmune response. When I saw your poat about how you had just had your band removed and you feel so much better (and weight loss on top of it) I had to ask what you were feeling and problems you were having that prompted the removal of your band? And did you have any revision surgery? I'm wanting to know if there are others who developed autoimmune conditions after lapband placement, and if they chose to have the band removed, did it improve their autoimmune symptoms/conditions? Thank you for sharing your post-op improvement; it gives me hope that I haven't had for many months now. I wish you continued improvement in your health. I am interested in knowing what problems yiu experienced with the band and what has improved thus far. I'm new to this site, so if you have posted this info elsewhere, I would appreciate a link. And by the way, my daughter in law works for an attorney and we were juat discussing this very topic yesterday of lap band compllications and how they are so hard to prove for a jury to actually have enough concrete information to find in favor of a patient. Her attorneys won't even look at medical cases unless there has been loss of limb or life. So, don't be too optimistic on finding an attorney for lap band complications (I have no idea what your situation is; you may have something an attorney would consider.) Kim

Hi Fellow Bandsters, BOY OH BOY… I believe “they” consider patients like me “veterans of the band”. I was promised all kinds of great outcomes prior to getting this procedure in March 2008 (7 years & 4 months ago), however I have developed one too many conditions/symptoms as a result of this device being inside of me for the better part of a decade, and always blamed it on something other than the band. They never spoke of complications and I am the type to do as I am told… dieting, portion control and exercise! I am in the medical field and have a PhD in Biomedical and Laboratory Sciences (Pathology/Lab Medicine… always worked in hospitals/healthcare). I currently work as a Clinical Research Scientist in Cancer research and we are doing our best to find THAT cure. However, the cure for weight loss seems unimaginable for the overweight population, especially the patients who have a failed lap-band surgery. I still have my band but am scheduled to have the band removed next week, 7/30/15 (my personal Independence Day). The band was not for me since the first follow-up visit after placing the band. The PA bent the needle attempting to add saline into the port from scar tissue (YEARS AGO) and three staff members were now inside the room during this. With all the scar tissue to get through already… it hurt me very badly and I was "turned off" from future fills!!! I never had another attempted fill after this from fear, and never had a successful fill since having it placed at all. I had signs and symptoms the entire time, but life got in the way! I had too many things going on in my personal life and the years seemed to fly by… but not because I was having fun! For almost 8 years I have experienced; nausea, vomiting, migraines, constant low grade fevers, joint pain, gallbladder removal in 2009 (no stones), elevated liver enzymes (ALT/AST), enlarged spleen, elevated CRP, "dumping syndrome", inflammation throughout my body especially my stomach, abnormal blood counts and chemistry, unable to pass certain foods from esophagus to stomach, autoimmune disease soon developed (new meds to take), uncomfortable in my own body, weakness/fatigue, acid reflux, back/neck pain, constipation/diarrhea (to name a few). I also have device related complications such as; port pain with and without pressure being applied, infection at the port, unable to stand up straight/reach up/stretch backwards, and always protecting my stomach from the outside world from fear of it being bumped. I am in a place where I have health insurance AND time for removal/surgery at the same time so I went to the docs and insurance denied... three times! I spoke to my surgeon directly after the denials (not the same doc that installed the band) and I am meeting him in the ED on the night of July 29th to have the band removed on the morning of the 30th. We are making this a medical emergency so insurance will cover the charges, which would have been approx $8,000 if this would have been a "self-pay" situation. It is bad enough that Allergen would not provide compensation for the $250 surgeon consult prior to seeing ANY doctor. I do not know this surgeon and just recently moved this state 7 months ago… no special privileges for being in the same field… just a good idea of how insurance works! Doc saw how my quality of life has suffered from my medical records and wants to help me, and I pay for health insurance for a reason (regardless of their ridiculous exclusions for bariatric related surgeries, a medical emergency is always covered). I am excited and scared for surgery next week, but will be sure to keep everyone informed of my progress after surgery, and as the weeks roll on. I truly hope to speak to other patients in my position and be available in any way that I can, especially helping if you feel you have run out of options or need help interpreting test results. In the meantime, could anyone shed some light on side effects of having band removed in patients 8+ years out (how do you feel, how is your stomach/scars), what to eat after surgery/for how long, how long were you out of work, and best ways to stay healthy since having this piece of **** removed! In Heath, A

@@parisshel Hello and thank you for responding to my post. I will be sure to keep you posted on the life after removal. I truly hope that most of my symptoms are resolved once this is removed as well. I have MS as well and from what I was researching I should have never had this band in the first place due to toxicity with autoimmune diseases. Fibromyalgia was diagnosed about 1 year after placing the band. I am hoping I will be able to simply diet and exercise on my own without the use of medical intervention. @@Dibaby44 Thank you for responding to my post as well. I bet you are starting to feel amazing since having the band removed 4 weeks ago. It is GREAT to hear from another patient with similar symptoms as my own... rather than hearing it from a healthcare professional that never had the surgery/symptoms themselves. The support is truly appreciated!!!! My legs just recently started becoming easily inflammed and I knew it was time to get this thing out. I am getting it removed on a Thursday and hope to be back at work on Monday... is this too soon? The doctor said yes, but HE is not a SHE and never had bariatric surgery before. Outside of going to work, I am bed-bound most of the time. I did walk on treadmill for about 30 minutes on Sunday and Monday, however I am paying for it now and had another moderate fever yesterday with hot flashes/red face and cold skin. People saw me yesterday and said that I do not look well so that really sucks too. Also my joints hurt AGAIN and muscles are stiff. Over the last few years, I have learned that the only thing that will help my symptoms from exacerbating is to lay completely still in my bed, lights off, and not to move. My brain says "let's go" and my body says "hell no"!!! I was tired of lying about my condition so I could keep up with other people my own age, but I have come to realize that I was only hurting myself! Although nobody wants to hear you complain, I was also giving people the impression something else was wrong with me... a possible mental problem or a drug issue. I tend to push people away when I start experiencing these symptoms and I never would go out to eat at work-related functions. If I did not say something than people would start assuming things about me because I am always sick. I live in a very well-known drug addicted community so it was important for me to start sharing my battle and avoid the judgments from the get-go. How are you feeling today? What blood tests are they running for you post removal? Congratulations on loosing 33 lbs and getting rid of the old baggage (the band)... you should feel GREAT about yourself and all of your hard work! This life is hard enough, let alone being overweight, and let alone having complication from weight loss surgery. I am tired of hearing myself complain and used to be such a hardworking person... I find it hard to concentrate and physically/mentally keep up with anything. Has your lupus/RA gotten better (symptoms associated). How long were you banded? I look forward to hearing back from you and hope everyday is getting easier for you! Chat soon...

Hello, I'm Kim Harris and I've had the band since early 2010. Althouh I loat weight, I've had nothing but problems from the get-go. A year and a half ago I was diagnosed with a Sjogrens, an autoimmune disease similar to lupus, which causes joint pain and fatigue 24/7. I just received word today from my surgeon that insurance has approved the removal of my band. I am praying that removing the band improve my health with respect to my autoimmune condition. I considered having a revision to a gastrectomy but metal staples would be yet another foreign object permanently placed in my body for my body to reject and continue the autoimmune response. When I saw your poat about how you had just had your band removed and you feel so much better (and weight loss on top of it) I had to ask what you were feeling and problems you were having that prompted the removal of your band? And did you have any revision surgery? I'm wanting to know if there are others who developed autoimmune conditions after lapband placement, and if they chose to have the band removed, did it improve their autoimmune symptoms/conditions? Thank you for sharing your post-op improvement; it gives me hope that I haven't had for many months now. I wish you continued improvement in your health. I am interested in knowing what problems yiu experienced with the band and what has improved thus far. I'm new to this site, so if you have posted this info elsewhere, I would appreciate a link. And by the way, my daughter in law works for an attorney and we were juat discussing this very topic yesterday of lap band compllications and how they are so hard to prove for a jury to actually have enough concrete information to find in favor of a patient. Her attorneys won't even look at medical cases unless there has been loss of limb or life. So, don't be too optimistic on finding an attorney for lap band complications (I have no idea what your situation is; you may have something an attorney would consider.) Kim

I'm sorry to hear about the autoimmune disease. That must be rough. And thanks for the reminder that very rapid weight loss has its own set of problems. I don't want to rush into hair loss or loose skin, so maybe I'll just be content at my slow rate.

Anyone who thinks I went on to be a success can have whatever they want from me! So I have lost in small increments throughout. Somedays 0.2, other days 0.4 and yet other days nothing at all. I know, I could have just weighed once a week but I've weighed daily for years of my life. Only times I didn't, was when I knew I was gaining weight and didn't want to confront that. I think I didn't appreciate before hand that there would be mostly days with NO change, followed by a few days of weight changes. So really long "stalls" followed by some weight being lost. This month I lost 1.2 lbs. Two months before that I lost 1.6 lbs. Yes a MONTH which are the losses that most people here have in a week. And just to be clear. I eat between 800-900 calories which I track religiously and I try to keep carbs at below 50 gms. All my carbs come from veggies, shakes and bars. Apart from a handful of days, I don't eat junk. Those were my cheat days and I didn't have ANY cheat days until 8 months post op. From hanging out on this board during the early days and observing my thoughts are that the following of us lose much much slower: 1. Women (compared to men) 2. Autoimmune disease sufferers esp those who have inflammation 3. Those close to menopause or already menopausal 4. Over 35 yoa 5. Have birthed children 6. Hypothyroid I'm sure there are other reasons but I notice those because they all apply to me. Last month I hit 160 lbs and then 30 days of just no losses. I went up and down between 164-161 and I kept thinking it was because I had increased calories from 700 to 900 because everyone told me I needed to eat more. (Honestly I wish I had never listened to anyone who told me that because now, I am hungry for 900 calories. I've been trying for days to get my caloric intake down and I can't but that's a whole different thread). But the bigger issue is you go crazy during such long weeks with no activity or at least I do. Am I eating too much? Too little? Too many carbs? Should I do shakes? Has my body decided to stop? I spent more time logging different meals to see which was "more perfect" than eating! And I'm a fat girl! How wrong is that?? I wish I could just once and for all accept that I do not control my weight. I only control what I put in my mouth. I'm a control freak in many areas of my life and this area is no different. I expect my body to follow my timetable. Guess what? It gives me the finger more often than not. I posted here once about calculating excess weight lost rather than total lbs lost and I had to dust off that formula once in a while to keep me motivated. After 30 days the scale moved two days ago and I guess I'm starting to think I might lose the last 8-10 lbs. And here's the kicker. So I reach goal. Then what? Apart from maybe being able to eat a few hundred calories more what exactly is going to change? I still have to get up the next day, weigh myself and log, measure and track all my food just as I am doing now. So nothing will be different. Am I putting all this pressure on myself to hit goal so I can eat a few hundred more calories? Now how stupid is that? The head games are what drive you crazy, I tell you. And this is probably more detail than you wanted

I have PsA - think RA with psoriasis, it's an autoimmune system arthritis. Since my sleeve, I have stopped the methotrexate I had been taking for almost 10 years and halved my Enbrel injection. I have no swollen joints for the first time in years and my arthritis is officially in remission after 30 years. This started immediately post op. No one can explain what's happened. But I am taking it day by day and feeling grateful.....

I've got RA, Lupus and Fibromyalgia. My surgeon has said that it shouldn't be a problem, but that he'd want me to stop taking the NSAIDS. I'm okay with that, because of all the pills I take, I think those work the least. He also said that because of the autoimmune disorders, there is the potential for my body to react to the band itself, in which case they would have to remove it. Being that I have had 2 cesarean sections and never had a reaction to those surgeries, I'm not concerned. Losing the extra weight will immensely help my health conditions, so I was very happy to hear him say that it wasn't going to prevent me from surgery.

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 also have trouble with my hair falling out now and am going to drs. trying to find out what it's from, I hope my body is not rejecting the band, I am worried I have an autoimmune disease.

Hi! I had my surgery in September last year and have lost 69 pounds, but my weight hasn't budged since February! Its frustrating. The last 3 months, I have been struggling with fatigue and have been sick off and on due to my autoimmune disease, so I haven't had the energy to workout. But somehow, I have been losing inches because I'm fitting into smaller sized clothes. How is this possible? Has anyone had this experience of losing inches, but not weight without working out? And any advice on how to break this plateau is greatly appreciated!

Yes, it is a major threat to my health because I'm immunocompromised. If I got it I could very easily land in the hospital. To overcome it I just rarely leave the house. And when I do I mask up and try to keep my distance from strangers. No, I was not vaccinated because I'm immunocompromised and when I asked my doctor if I should get the vaccine she said, and I quote, "Absolutely NOT". She said that there isn't enough testing for her to tell me if it's safe for me to take nor the side effects it would have on someone like myself. So she said not to get it. My gastroenterologist who deals with one of my autoimmune diseases also agreed that it wasn't safe for me to take.

Not sure if my own experiences could offer any insight... but, I have two autoimmune diseases/disorders: Psoriasis and Eosinophilic Esophagitis. Psoriasis deals with skin issues though there is some joint pain that comes with that. And Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EOE) has to do with the white cells in your esophagus thinking your body is under attack and multiplying. It causes narrowing in your esophagus which leads to dysphagia and choking issues. Acid issues. Chest pain and abdominal pain. And the occasional time where food backs up on you and either gets stuck in your throat trying to come out or you spit or throw it up (generally when you eat too fast, too soon, or too much). I'm allowed to drink a little if I choke BECAUSE of the EOE (I rarely have to though. Usually only once or twice a week where I have a choking incident and need to take a sip). I do deal with more fatigue then most. I don't actually know if it's due to either of my autoimmune disorders or if it has to do with another health issue that may actually be ANOTHER autoimmune disorder (my doctor is trying to figure out if I have Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome) or if my various symptoms with the fatigue is caused by a spinal fluid leak (the two have very similar symptoms and are often misdiagnosed as the opposite problem so my doctor is trying to cover all her bases and figure out which one it is. We're both HOPING it's the spinal fluid leak because that could be fixed semi-easily while the other issue has no cure as the meds for it didn't work for me. I really hope it's the spinal fluid leak because if it's the other I'd end up permanently disabled and I'm only 33 so I very much don't want that). I do know that despite still having fatigue issues, I have more energy now than I did six months ago (I'm almost 13 months post op) so I feel that it WILL get better. At least a bit. Hopefully whatever treatment they have for you improves upon that as well! I wish you the best!

I am so sorry to hear that you are going thru this right now. I have only been coming to the board a short while and will be banded on Sept 22. I have walked the land of uncertanty with my health and at 28 was unable to function more then a few hours a day. I suffered head to toe body pain and sever headaches and fatigue along with daily fevers, yes a fever everyday for 2 yrs. Well thru this process I learned a few things: 1) Never be afraid to question a Dr. opinion. 2) Listen to what your instinct is telling you. 3) Never except and "I dont know" Search until you hear the words "We found out what is wrong with your. 4) Always give yourself permission to react the way you need to. Dont let others decide your response to your situation. After 3yrs, 3 Rheumatologist, 1 Infectiouse disease Dr, 1 pain DR and getting a new family Doctor. After 3yrs of being looked at like I was crazy and told I was just fat and depressed, I got the answer I had been looking for. Mrs. Lambert we know what is wrong with you "Your Fatiuge is due to Chronic fatigue syndrom, Fibromyalgia and "Oh ya you have a sister sickness to Lupus and it is called Sjogren's syndrome". This is an autoimmune disorder. If I remember right Lupus patients can have Pericardidits, Vasculitis, Kidney and liver problems. It basicly can effect your whole body. A great resourse to learn about Auto Immune disorders is Web MD. THey dont have individual message board for each Auto Immune disorder so people with just about every kind of AI disorder go there. When the DR thought it was in my head, the people on that board keep me from loosing my mind. I am now on an Anti malarial med used for Auto Immune disorders called Plaquinel. Aften they use high doses of prednisone for AI disorders. One thing that just came to mind was my step grandmother has temporal arthritis and she was miss diagnosed over a year ago with Vasculitis and now she is loosing her sight. Make sure if you have any doute that they have the right diagnosis that you ask to see another Dr even if it is just another Dr at the same facility. I ended going to Brigham and Womens hospital in Boston Mass. It took me 3 yrs but I now have the answers to my puzzle and am well enough to work again which I could not do for 2 yrs. Sorry if this got kind of long or became about me. I didn't mean it that way. Just dont give up and keep your chin pointed high..... For

I was not a candidate for anything but bypass as I have autoimmune issues- rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and Hughes syndrome. And pretty much everyone I know personally had severe issues with the lap band and eventually had to have them removed.

So far I use the cinnamon bark stevia herb suppliment daily in my coffee I use to keep my autoimmune disease inflammation down..no problem here..I have changed over from pill form to essentials and liquid for most supplements now. Feeling so much better..the liquids are more pure form without all the non essential additives..working for me

I finally feel a little better. I saw my dr yesterday and he told me that all of my weakness, dizziness....is normal. He prescribed Prilosec for my tummy gurgling (I have to crush them for 2 more weeks) and said that after a few doses my tummy will be more receptive to creamy foods & drinks. I have been moved to creamy liquids, apple sauce, Protein shakes, creamed Soups, Beans...for week 2. He told me to build up to Proteins, drink slow but steady. My weight loss included 4 lbs lost between consult & surgery (1/21 to 2/25) So I'm down 24.4 (dr office weight fully dressed) 25 lbs (at home not dressed) But a loss is a loss!! I was 331 Pre op- 227 day of and 306.6 at his office I'm working on a banana cream flavored Protein shake right now. It's 11 oz and filling. I have no appetite at all and I'm not ever hungry so it's hard to drink because I'm full. I'm walking a bit (I have several autoimmune diseases and being off med's (some can not be crushed) has increased the daily difficulties of my life) but due to balance issues my walking is limited to inside (I lose balance & fall, I get numb and lose leg functions...) my neuro & rheumy along with my doctor have all said that once I can take my medicines again after 3 weeks that I will feel better and that I can worry about doing more walking then. He doesn't want me to fall on my tummy. Anyway I'm sipping all day, it's still hard to do an oz every 15 min because I'm super full. I have protein shakes, apple juice, Gatorade, water, ice chips, applesauce & popcicles on my menu today.

I have an autoimmune disorder of Scleroderma (cousin to Lupus. My Rhumatologist said "no". But I did it anyway. I had acid reflux extremely bad and they were afraid the band would make it worse. I have not had a problem since having the band 10-3-08. I was on 2 Prevacid daily prior to banding. Drs. don't always know best! lol

Ok all, it's been a long time since I've been on here. The lapband was very successful for me and it'll be 5 years next month. I need some 'banded' opinions. I went to the gastroenterologist. See, my whole life I've had problems. I've had constipation for over a decade, I started getting horrible acid about a year before I was banded, vomiting my whole life (never had a fever, would just feel sick and then after I'd feel back to normal). Anyway, I had been trying to keep track of food I had eaten and I was really starting to suspect Celiac disease. I also have Hashimoto's so...I have a history with Autoimmune problems. So I go in after years of pain and I see a dr. He scheduled me for a whole bunch of tests: colonoscopy, upper GI endoscopy, an xray. Haven't done the others but the xray...well I had a weird reaction to the barium. It kind of tingled and burned a little going down and made me really sick. I didn't find the taste gross at all so it wasn't that (and yeah, I know I'm weird). It was about 5-10 minutes after drinking I started having a full body reaction. I got clammy and almost passed out....then threw up the barium and I felt almost completely normal again. I then guzzled a big glass of Water no problem. However, (though they didn't wait long for the barium to move down), they said the barium wasn't going past my band. Which is silly because I have absolutely no problems with eating or drinking and I was opened wide up for a port revision under my muscle less than a year ago. They said my band was placed correctly except it's kind of the opposite direction that most are placed however I got the big band and I'm a very tiny woman and my doctor had also initially placed my port a little funny too. I think he had reasons for it and I don't question it because he had done many surgeries and was an award winning doc. To make a note of things, the acid only happens when I have super fatty food-just like it did BEFORE the band. Otherwise all of my problems are in my intestines-I love my band and it's never caused my problems before. I rarely PB anymore. And I only throw up with certain foods (thus why I suspected Celiac). But now my Gastro has canceled the colonoscopy and basically just wants to make this about my lapband. 1. My actual problems don't seem to be getting addressed. 2. I'm afraid this is just going to be a costly side trek and it'll just end with them saying they probably want my band out.

Thank you very much Gamergirl. Yes it will be tricky to adhere to such a diet but I have to try, probiotics, green superfood powder, flaxseed, coconut oil, protein shakes, sardines in olive oil, tuna, and as many greens as I can get at the difac plus ots of green tea even though I HATE green tea, blechhh. But I have to try, having been recently diagnosed with an autoimmune disease.

Kiwiladydee, I have fibro also. When researching the Obesity-Fibro article, I spoke to a doctor who told me (in exact terms that I don't remember now) that weight loss releases toxins into your system - plus goodness knows what other toxins we're exposed to every single day in the modern world. Is the rash on your face bilateral (both sides) and shaped something like a large butterfly? That could be a sign of lupus erythematosus, along with your fatigue, pain, etc. Since lupus is an autoimmune disorder, it seems like it could be a first cousin to fibro. I was diagnosed with discoid lupus some 20 years ago. It rarely bothers me now, but I have to wonder if and how my obesity, fibro, and lupus are interconnected. Jean

Most doctors only check thyroid levels with a TSH test. This test does not detect Hashimotos. A more accurate method is testing for antibodies. Here's a link to research regarding the connection between PCOS and Hashis: http://www.drhagmeyer.com/hashimotos-thyroid-disease/women-pcos-often-have-hidden-hashimotos-autoimmune-thyroiditis/ There are new studies that show that even if you do not have Cushings, you may have adrenal fatigue. Adrenal fatigue is very common with autoimmune disorders and especially with Hashis. I am just beginning my research and trying different things. I was hoping that I would lose weight and everything would get magically better. I also thought that if it didn't the doctors would stop blaming my weight for why I felt like crap. The first thing I have been doing is trying to get my Vit D levels to an optimal level (around 80). I've been on 50,000IU a week and that raised it to 50. It's in the normal range, but for Hashis they recommend 80 or above. The second thing I am doing is adding in T3 in addition to the Synthroid I am taking. I'm trying to get my Free T3 into the upper third range of normal. Hopefully it will be there next time I get bloodwork. The third thing I'm doing is getting my Ferritin levels to an optimal level for Hashis (90-110). Once I get these 3 things straightened out I am going on an AIP (autoimmune protocol) diet. It's gluten and soy free plus an elimination diet for eggs, dairy, nuts, nightshades, and seeds). I'm doing all of this with the assistance of my acupuncturist. His wife was debilitated by Hashis and through his research and the assistance of the book "Stop the Thyroid Madness" he helped her feel better. He told me that my answer doesn't lie with Eastern medicine (acupuncture), it is in Western medicine and functional medicine. I haven't been able to find a functional medicine practitioner in my area, but if I'm not better in six months I'm going to go see one that's a few hours from where I live.

I am officially 12 months post op as of Saturday. I have lost 121lbs so far and have about 25 to go to get to my ultimate goal. I have definately noticed a lot more joint pain but it has changed. Before surgery it was severe in my ankles and knees. I also have it in my hips, spine and shoulders. I no longer have joint pain in my ankles and knees unless I go really crazy and over exercise. My shoulders, hips and spine however are much worse. I do however have Psoriatic arthritis which is an autoimmune disease that I have had for years so I don't really know how much that is impacting me at this point. I will say to Jame's point, from month 2 on, my behind is actually extremely painful. When you lose this much weight your tailbone begins to stick out.i no longer have any padding in my rear, in fact my husband keeps laughing at me because my butt is completely flat. Jokingly, I will say I went from fat ass to flat ass! I cannot sit comfortably with using a A pillow designed to provide relief. I bought mine on Amazon, it is called a Coccyx pillow. I have not tried a gel cusion but may have to give that a try. I know the tailbone thing is a big issue for many on this site.

Hello, new to the forum. I am 54 years old and on day 4 of my 2 week pre op Clear luquid diet. Not too bad so far. I was wondering if there are others who have autoimmune diseases and what was your experiences with weightloss surgery? Sent from my SM-G935V using BariatricPal mobile app