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OK, carp. It might be time to start looking for zebras (less obvious alternatives). Any skin issues? Pain? Allergies? Fever? Have you done a detailed food log? Perhaps you can relate issues to foods. I also have such symptoms when I have a psoriatic arthritis flair. It's autoimmune. There are a variety of them that can cause such symptoms. Could it be related to stress? Stress does this to me sometimes. Keep trying. Your wits are longer than you think Tek

They happen for many reasons including physician error, patient error, medical issues (like the autoimmune issue) and perhaps bad luck. One and two are the most common issues.

I am one of those people who has not had any success with the lapband. I know it is my fault because too many people lose. My question is how many lapbanders have come down with an autoimmune disease after the lapband implant? It wasn't six months after that I was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis. I am now on Embrel and Methotextrate injections every week. Doctors keep telling me NO NO NO this cannot cause thiese kinds of problems but it seems so wierd how right afterwards I started getting sick with this disease. Waiitng for replies. Cheryl

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!

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 just got home from seeing the ortho doc about my shoulder. I have what is called frozen shoulder and he explained that the likely cause was my autoimmune issues. It seems my immune system got tired of attacking just my thyroid and is now focused on my left shoulder too. Bummer. He said it may take up to two years to fully resolve itself and could spread to my right shoulder also... Just great.... Ok, pity party over. The bright side is most cases resolve without surgery and I just need to do some specific exercises daily to help it along. If the pain is ever too intense I can opt for a ultra sound guided cortisone shot. I skipped the shot for now and will just focus on learning the exercises and praying my right shoulder is spared.

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!

Yes, it is made of a material that is supposed to minimize the possibilities of: 1)the band getting eroded 2)autoimmune rejection of the band. But long term data still hasn't determined the long term risks of band slippage, or esophageal dilatation. So who knows, what the probabilty of having an erosion or a slip 30 years post-op? The hip replacement seems more risky long term since it involves moving parts and a more complex mechanism. The lap band is a very simple device, and it certainly is very possible and in fact likely (in my opinion) that it can last for a very long time in some people.

I have wodered about this b/c I POSSIBLY have Systemic Lupus. I have tested +1 ANA ONCE in five years. My doctor at this point calls it an inflammatory arthropothy. I take Plaquanil and have no symptoms as of right now. My symptoms have never been life or death. I've never had any organ involvement. As a matter of fact, I NEVER had even one symptom until five years ago when I gained weight for the second time. In my case, I think my body isn't liking the 100 lbs. of extra fat. I have a feeling that the band is going to help. I am very glad to see other autoimmune people having good luck with the band. I haven't gotten mine yet, but I will soon :eek: The doctors office I went to before was going to do it. The doc that I am going to didn't seem to think it would be a problem and has done this surgery on several auto-immune people. I am also curious, what happens when the body rejects the band?

Amanda, I have auto-immune thyroiditis, everything is under control now, my levels are normal. I'm not banded yet but almost to the point of approval. I would go to Inamed's website because they do say that individuals with certain autoimmune diseases should not have the band placed. The key word is certain....not all auto immune disease are cause to NOT place the band. Thyroid issues aren't one of them. I remember Lupus being mentioned...I know there are more. I do wonder about it though. If antibodies are trying to attack my thyroid, wouldn't they attack the band? I've been told over and over by experienced bandsters, NO. I do plan on asking my surgeon again on Thursday to see what he has to say.

Hi Delarla, your last post rang a bell with me- I work with women after breastcancer surgeries - many of them have or had reconstructions. Guess what - their implants were mostly made out of Silicone. That's were all the big controverse started- if the silicone or a leaking implant can cause autoimmune disease or make an excisting one worse. I am wondering if that is what they are referring to in a roundabout way - since the band contains silicone - could that in some cases make an excisiting auto immune problem worse? Just my thoughts and 2 cents.

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 don't think erosion has anything to do with immune tolerance. I think it's a mechanical thing, like why does a pothole appear at a certain place in the road - it's a combination of factors from the road, the traffice it gets, the weather it sees, etc. As far as why autoimmune disorders are a contraindication, it might be because those patients sometimes have problems with esophageal dysmotility. Dr. C Cincinnati, Ohio www.TheBandDoctor.com 877.442.BAND DISCLAIMER: I am not your surgeon, any comments made by me are not meant to be taken as medical advice, just general guidelines. Contact your surgeon about your specific problem!

This is very weird. Your case is extremely unusual. Do you, by any chance, have an autoimmune disorder? Do you take any other medications that might be causing the ulcers? Do you smoke, drink or use other substances? Do you take "natural supplements" of any kind? One of the biggest challenges in medicine...is the fact that human bodies can be unpredictable. Even though we know a LOT about what to expect, what signs to look for, the potential causes for issues.....individuals with idiosyncratic physiological reactions can be really troublesome. Some people will scar more, throw a lot of adhesions, some people will be crazy sensitive to a particular medication or food. I'm guessing you're one of zebras in a field of horses that drive doctors crazy. Sometimes I think people think of their bodies like they think of their cars....if there's a problem, you take it to the mechanic and the mechanic should be able to read the manual and fix it correctly on the first try. To fail to do this is a sign of a bad mechanic. But it's not that simple. Human bodies have all sorts of weird surprises they like to manifest. And while most of the time we can figure out the issues and get help....once in a while, it's just going to take a few tries. It sucks, but it's the truth. I really do hope you get to the bottom of your problems soon and that they find a good solution for you. Best wishes.

I am not an expert on Graves, but I had a hyperactive nodule that was treated with radio-iodine. I now take levoxyl daily. It had no impact on my lapband. You'll want to be sure you tell your surgeon. I don't believe the autoimmunity disqualifies you. Are they thinking of giving you radio-iodine treatment, or are you just goung with drug treatment for now? You'll probably need to adjust your dosage more often as you lose weight.

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?

Not-Quite-Everything you Need to Know about Lap-Bands Diana Zuckerman, Ph.D. May 2013 When the governor of New Jersey, Chris Christie, admitted in May 2013 that he got gastric Lap-Band surgery, many pundits assumed it was because he plans to run for president. But the choice raised questions about the governor’s judgment. Why would he chose a weight loss strategy that has become so unpopular that the major manufacturer of lap bands, Allergan, no longer wants to make them?[1] Most weight loss strategies don’t work for most people – usually they lose weight and then gain it back, and that can make it harder to lose again. But it is important to keep trying, because obesity can kill people by increasing the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and even some kinds of cancer. Lap-Bands help many people lose weight rather dramatically – some lose 50-100 pounds in the first 6 months or year. Unfortunately, Lap-Bands are often not a lasting solution to obesity. For example, an obese woman with high blood pressure will see her blood pressure go down in the first years after surgery, but will increase if she gains weight back after that. Even more controversial than the use of Lap-Bands to treat life-threatening obesity if the use for people who are not extremely overweight. The American Heart Association advises “bariatric surgery should be reserved for patients who have severe obesity” and only when medical therapy has failed and surgery is a safe option.[2] The FDA came to a different conclusion, and they approved lap-bands for people who are only slightly obese (with a BMI as low as 30) if the person has a serious health problem caused by their weight. If you’re thinking about getting a Lap-Band, here’s the information that can help you decide. Q: What is a Lap-Band? A: A Lap-Band is a silicone band around your stomach that reduces the room for food so that you feel full after eating very small amounts. If you eat too much, especially too much of certain kinds of food, you will feel nauseous or will vomit. That will discourage your from overeating and help you lose weight. It is a less complicated surgery than gastric bypass surgery, but most people with Lap-Bands don’t lose as much weight as patients undergoing gastric bypass. Also, Lap-Bands are reversible, and gastric bypass is not. Q: Whatever diet I use, I can’t keep my weight off. Will a Lap-Band help me lose weight and keep it off? A: Most people with Lap-Bands lose weight during the first year. Surprisingly few people continue to lose weight after that, despite the small amounts of food they can comfortably eat. After a year, people who have Lap-Bands usually stabilize at their new weight, or start gaining weight again. Some gain and lose weight just like they did when they were on different diets. Despite how difficult it is to eat solid food, many people don’t lose weight with a Lap-Band. Approximately one-third of the people with Lap-Bands have them removed and not replaced within 1-5 years. Q: If a Lap-Band makes it impossible to eat a large amount of food, how is it possible that some people don’t lose weight with a Lap-Band? A: There are fattening foods that people can eat large quantities of even with a Lap-Band, such as ice cream and liquids. If you enjoy ice cream, drink many high-calorie beverages, or eat small meals all day long, it is possible to not lose weight or not lose much weight. In fact, a company that makes Lap-Bands, Allergan, found in their research that some patients actually gained weight! Q: Can a Lap-Band be dangerous? Can it kill you? A: All surgery has risks, including Lap-Band surgery. Almost all patients will survive Lap-Band surgery, but the risks increase after surgery. We know that patients have died as a result of Lap-Bands, including some patients who were not so overweight that their obesity would have killed them. We don’t know how often that happens, but it is important for patients and their families to understand that there are serious risks that may be greater than the likely benefits for patients who are not dangerously obese. One of the risks of Lap-Bands is that weight loss after surgery can increase the risk of sudden death from cardiac arrhythmias. Research shows that the Lap-Band can deteriorate or causes a perforation in the gastro-intestinal tract, where acids and fecal matter can leak into the abdomen. Researchers at the European School of Laparoscopic Surgery found that more than one-fourth of Lap-Band patients had experienced band deterioration within 12 years.[3] It can take less than 30 minutes of surgery to get a Lap-Band, but patients can end up undergoing emergency surgery and staying in the hospital for days when something goes wrong. Lap-Bands do not last forever, so even if the patient has a good experience with a Lap-Band, eventually it will wear out and need to be removed (and replaced, if the patient wants it to be). The European School of Laparoscopic Surgery study followed Lap-Band patients for 12 years and found that half had their bands removed within that period of time.[3] Each additional surgery, whether to take a band out or replace it, is an added risk. Q: Why do people have their Lap-Bands removed? A: Some people never lose weight from a Lap-Band, so they get the Lap-Band removed a few months after it’s put in. Some have terrible side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, or perforation of the gastro-intestinal tract, mentioned above. In some cases the Lap-Band slips off or starts to deteriorate, requiring surgery, and the patient decides to remove the Lap-Band and not take that risk again. Lap-Bands can deteriorate after just a year or two, or possibly a few years later. These are some of the other reasons why people have their Lap-Bands removed. Some people just get tired of their Lap-Bands because they don’t like to have such draconian limits on what they can eat. They long to have a sandwich or a small bowl of Pasta, or to eat a regular meal with their family or friends. As long as you’re losing weight, the restrictions may be tolerable for many people, but may not seem worth it if you haven’t lost any weight in months or even years. Q: What are the health benefits of a Lap-Band? A: If a person who is overweight has the willpower to eat only the small amounts of food needed to feel full, a Lap-Band can help him or her lose weight and keep it off. How often does that happen? Most people who are obese don’t eat only when they are hungry, they eat for other reasons. There are no studies to tell us how long the average obese person will keep a Lap-Band, but we know that many patients have their Lap-Bands removed. The latest research shows that two-thirds of very obese people with Lap-Bands needed additional surgery over the next decade and almost half had their Lap-Bands removed because of complications. That doesn’t include people who had their Lap-Bands removed because they were ineffective or because the patients didn’t like them. Would less obese people do any better? On the contrary, it seems logical that a very obese person will be more motivated to keep their Lap-Band because they are more thrilled about losing 60-100 pounds than a slightly obese person will be about losing 30 pounds. We need better research to find out what the real benefits are. Here’s a good research study that someone should do: find 200 average height women who are 30 pounds overweight at the age of 25 and who want Lap-Bands. Then find 200 of the same height and weight who choose other types of dieting instead. Ten years later, how healthy are the women who had Lap-Bands compared to those that didn’t – and how much do the women weigh in each group? Q: How much does Lap-Band surgery cost? How much does it cost to remove a Lap-Band? A: It usually costs between $15,000-$30,000 to put in a Lap-Band. If there are complications, removal will cost at least that much and possibly much more. If you are considering a Lap-Band, find out if your health insurance will pay for the surgery and be sure to find out if it will pay to have the Lap-Band removed. Many insurance companies will only pay for one Lap-Band surgery, so they will pay to put it in, but not to take it out. Remember that Lap-Bands do not last forever, and we don’t know exactly how long they usually last. Some last just a year or two, and we estimate that most will not last more than 10 years even in the most ideal circumstances. Q: I’ve seen ads that say a Lap-Band can save your life. Can they say that if it isn’t true? A: It is possible that a Lap-Band could save a person’s life. That doesn’t mean it can save your life, and it doesn’t mean it will save the lives of most people who get them. It may not even improve the health of most people who get them. Ads by doctors are usually not regulated to ensure “truth in advertising.” Q: Lap-Bands have been sold in the U.S. for almost 10 years and in other countries for 15 years. Why are there no studies of people who have had Lap-Bands for 10 years? A: Some people think the companies that make Lap-Bands haven’t done the studies because they are concerned that the results won’t be good for sales. All we can say is that the companies haven’t published any studies, and the companies say that they have not done the studies. Q: What happens when Lap-Bands deteriorate? Will aging Lap-Bands cause even more serious health problems? A: A Lap-Band that deteriorates can kill or seriously harm a patient if it is not removed. We don’t know how long most Lap-Bands will last in the human body before they deteriorate and that is why the FDA is requiring Allergan to do studies to answer those questions. However, the FDA says Allergan can sell Lap-Bands to people who are only slightly obese even before those studies are started. Q: What is the scientific evidence that Lap-Bands are safe and effective? Allergan, one of the companies that makes Lap-Bands, provided two studies to the FDA. One is a 3-year study of about 178 patients from the ages of 18 to 55, with the original BMI criteria of 35 or higher. Those people were dangerously obese. The second study has only 149 patients from the new target weight group, who were slightly obese (BMI of at least 30) with weight-related health problems. All the patients were 18 to 55 years old and none had diabetes. They were all studied for only one or two years. Q: Isn’t 149 people a rather small study? Did the studies include men and women and different racial and ethnic groups? A. Yes, 149 people is a small study, and the study included only 14 men, 14 African Americans, and 16 Hispanics. There were even fewer Asians and Native Americans. The men had less success with the Lap-Band than women. We need better research to determine whether men don’t do as well when researchers control for confounding variables such as weight and illnesses. We need to study more African Americans and Hispanics to know if it is safe and effective for them. Q: Why was the new study only one year long? A: As stated above, one has to wonder if the company was concerned that a longer study would not have favorable results. That still leaves us wondering why the FDA did not require a study that lasted at least 3 years. Obviously, a one- or two-year study is too short-term to determine long-term safety. Implanted devices often work well for a few years, and then problems arise. Since Lap-Bands have been sold in the U.S. for almost 10 years, the company should have studied them for at least 5-8 years. Q: Are Lap-Bands especially risky for some people? A: In the study conducted by Allergan, none of the patients had a personal history or family history of autoimmune. That’s because of concerns that the implant could exacerbate autoimmune problems. For that reason, Lap-Bands should not be approved by the FDA for patients with a personal history or family history of autoimmune disease. Allergan proposed a “caution“-not a warning-for patients with autoimmune diseases or symptoms, and did NOT mention a family history of those conditions. That is risky, since the company intentionally did not study patients with either a family history or personal history of autoimmune disease because of concerns about the dangers. We don’t know if the FDA will require a warning for autoimmune patients and those who have family members with autoimmune diseases, but they should. We know that some doctors don’t know that Lap-Bands were not studied in patients with autoimmune disease, and don’t know that the company has cautioned against their use for those patients. As a result, some patients get very ill. Jessica Resas is one such patient, living in Texas. Jessica had an autoimmune disease and her sister had lupus when Jessica got her Lap-Band. She lost more than 100 pounds, but says she has never felt so sick as she does now. In a letter, she asked, “Please advise me of what I need to do to verify if my issues are due to a reaction to the Lap-Band, and if I remove it will the symptoms disappear? …I don’t want to become debilitated to the point that I can’t work or function. I have a 70-year old mother to look after.” Jessica’s autoimmune symptoms might be caused by her Lap-Band, or might not be, but we need research to find out for sure. If studying Lap-Bands on people with Jessica’s autoimmune history is too risky, then it is also too risky for doctors to put Lap-Bands in people with that autoimmune history. Q: Is there any reason to think Lap-Bands are less safe for African American or Hispanic women? A: African American women and Hispanic women are especially vulnerable to lupus and several other autoimmune diseases. There are also other racial and ethnic differences that could influence safety. Is the Lap-Band safe for them? We can’t answer that question because so few were studied. However, we think the risks are likely to be greater than the benefits for African American and Hispanic women because they are more likely to have autoimmune symptoms or diseases. Q: Should I get a Lap-Band? A: Are you addicted to eating? If so, a Lap-Band is probably not going to help you lose weight. Do you love ice cream or fattening drinks? If so, a Lap-Band is probably not going to be effective in helping you lose weight. Do you have auto-immune symptoms or family members with an auto-immune disease such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, MS, or scleroderma? If so, the risks of a Lap-Band are higher for you. Does your insurance cover additional surgery if the Lap-Band doesn’t work out? If it does, are you sure your insurance will be as generous a few years from now, when you are most likely to need additional surgery? If insurance or tight finances might be a problem for you, you should probably not undergo Lap-Band surgery at this time. Think about all the eating restrictions with a Lap-Band: no more regular size meals. (We don’t mean no more Thanksgiving dinners, we mean no more dinners that are one-third the size of a Thanksgiving dinner). No more pasta dinners – maybe four noodles will be ok, but not more. Before choosing a life of those types of restrictions, make at least one more serious effort to improve your diet and exercise habits, and see if you can lose weight without surgery. After you have made that effort, if you are still obese, check out what the latest research shows about Lap-Bands and talk to your doctor about your options. After you read this article, think about how you feel about your life. What risks are you willing to take to lose weight for what might be only a year or two? If you are dangerously obese or extremely unhappy with your weight, the risks might be worth it, but this should not be a quick decision. You might want to wait a year or more until better research has been done, to figure out how effective Lap-Bands are and if some types of gastric bands are safer than others. http://center4resear...bout-lap-bands/

You’ll do great @la.nena! Five kids and births, and it sounds like you are prioritizing your health. Like you, I have had autoimmune issues and I didn’t want diabetes to become the fourth. Envision how great you will feel and be after and why you are doing this. Good luck!

I have Sjogren's Syndrome. Mine is moderate, mainly causing a lack of moisture in my mouth, sinuses, throat, and eyes. I take OTC guaifenesin (generic Mucinex) to help thin down the mucus in my throat. I had the sleeve on 9-1 and have had "the foamies" more than I have ever had. Often after I drink a protein shake. "Foamies" is such an accurate description! If I miss even one day of not taking the guaifenesin I get this awful "plug" of slimy mucus in my throat that basically chokes me until I can get it up and get rid of it. I have had this problem for years, finally I went to an ear, nose, and throat dr that correctly diagnosed my problem and put me on guaifenesin. This is not medical advice, just my experience. Maybe finding a different kind of doctor would help, as it did with me. Best wishes to you. Sjögren's is a systemic autoimmune disease that affects the entire body. Along with symptoms of extensive dryness, other serious complications include profound fatigue, chronic pain, major organ involvement, neuropathies and lymphomas.

I think what I most worried about is the keeping track and reminders to take stuff and when to take it. I have 5 kids and work for the school district at a high school. I stay busy. I’m getting this surgery because I have an autoimmune disease and they made it a medical necessity. I’m currently 260 and 5’4.

Yeah, my genes suck. I do not want to pass them on. Heck, what have they done for me except give me tendencies for obesity, diabetes, heart disease, autoimmune problems, mental problems, and PCOS, and make me really short? I'll probably wait another couple of years before I seriously start looking for a doctor that will be willing to tie my tubes, though.

My situation is a bit unusual/unique. My surgeon in Mexico completely blotched my surgery in 30 minutes. My sleeve looks like an hourglass. I developed GERD, a hiatal hernia, and possible stomach ulcers (currently waiting on endoscopy to confirm). I have also become severely anemic — ferritin currently at 4.5, developed a thyroid problem, an autoimmunity disorder, and small Fiber neuropathy (the constant feeling of pins and needles in my feet — very painful). I will say however, that even though my surgery was not done correctly, I still made great contributions to my weight regain. When I became anemic (I found out after passing out at the wheel/got in an accident), (1) I developed a grazing eating style. I also (2) never had the time or the maturity to do the mental work required before surgery (decided and had the operation done in 2 weeks) — I mean we all wake up after surgery still obese. The surgery doesn’t fix anything long term unless we commit to using the honeymoon period it provides (window of opportunity when your tastebuds are in a way reset and food becomes a chore) to adopt healthy lifelong habits. Also psychologically (3) I made the decision that if I can’t eat as much as I want, at least I’ll eat what I want. (4) I’m also very bad when it comes to taking Vitamins and since my bloodwork is all messed up (as my doctor put it, I’m “nutritionally crippled”), (4) I have a biological tendency to go for carbs for immediate energy and (5) I barely exercise (just walk to the bus to go to work — averaging only 4,000 steps 5 days a week). Whichever surgery you choose, if you commit to change with the great help of your new powerful tool, I’m sure you will succeed. But, do you have any comorbidities? If you have GERD/acid reflux, I would definitely go with the RNY. What does your surgeon recommend? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I hear you, Tizzielish. Of course, everyone approaches this journey differently, and for some, convenience foods are the best option, I'm not going to judge. Having said that, I am battling some autoimmune issues and am eating clean out of concern for that, rather than "dieting". I love meat, love the "paleo" approach, but I also love raw cuisine, it sounds like you do too? There are some awesome blogs like "rawmazing" and "nouveau raw" you might enjoy! Giving up dairy is difficult for me, I adore cheese

I have Hashimoto's (autoimmune thyroiditis). I'm terrified to move forward with getting a sleeve for fear that I might have a severe inflammatory reaction to the titanium staples.