Search the Community

With an autoimmune problem I would not put a foreign body into my body. Who knows when the immune system will decide to revolt against it. Be sure your Dr is familiar with autoimmune issues as many of them are not.

I have had a few autoimmune issues since surgery. Not the symptoms you mention exactly, but they are bothersome enough that I posted here about it a while back. I now have a photo allergy (allergy to sun) as well as some other skin issues and a couple other possible things including face rash. I'm interested to see if there is anyone else. I have been suspicious of a link to sleeve, but it could also be that I'm into my 40s now. I am 3 years out from sleeve, first symptom happened at 6 months out. I haven't gotten sick in a long time, even with working at a school.

I drank Diet Pepsi for 34 years. During that time I gained 250 lbs and developed two life-threatening autoimmune illnesses. Went off it 8 years ago and eliminated both illnesses. My opinion of "diet" soda and anything else with artificial sweeteners is it's detrimental to health and well-being.

I think we all need and want a chill out day sometimes regardless of the weight issue. I have bad arthritis and take methotrexate shots for it which can often tire me out in addition to just living with pain and autoimmune conditions so I enjoy the down days sometimes even when I don't feel blah just needing rest and mental break. Seems like under normal circumstances these days now and then would be healthy as well for anyone.

Hi Mark, Well, you asked, although I don't think you're going to like your response. I have a teenage son, so I know how they are, and basically in my experience, they'll only seek out and pursue what's important to them. My son didn't apply to colleges until he could choose what colleges to go to, and he only did that once we backed off and stopped having conniption fits when he mentioned things like becoming a male model or a rodeo clown; once we did that, he went gangbusters, and in fact I'm sitting here with his apps to Harvard, Princeton and Georgetown. (And with his test scores and grades, he stands a good shot at getting in). He's now frantic, desperate to get into the best schools and major in political science. Why? Because we backed off and let him choose his own destiny. What I read in your post is that your son's weight is more important to YOU than to HIM. If you push him, you will only make him rebel; he has to want to lose weight to make any lasting changes. He can't do it for you. And I'm afraid that if you shame him or make him feel bad about being fat, you'll only damage his self esteem. And good self esteem is, I believe, really important to taking the steps necessary to have a permant weight loss occur. If it were me, I'd just encourage him to exercise with you every day (heck, it's good for you, too, and you're setting a good example) and have only healthful foods in the house. You don't say what your food situation is like at home but if his "normal sized" sibilngs are allowed to eat junk food and he's judged for what he puts in his mouth, that again could shame him. I'm not saying you are doing this, and I hope you're not; but my grandparents did it to my mom, and she ended up weighing way over 400 pounds. So I'd just have healthful foods in the house, encourage regular exercise -- stressing the health benefits of regular exercise, not whether it leads to weight loss -- and as he feels better about himself, his body, etc. he may very well opt to "do something" about his weight. In the meantime, those changes will go very far to help him stay healthy. Studies have shown that a fat person who eats healthily and exercises (and yes, we exist) his similar risks to heart disease and cancer as a thin person. So while it's healthier to be thin, it's healthy to be active and eat nutritious foods, too. Regardless of one's weight. I'm a little confused, though. Were you thinking of kicking him out of the house because of his weight??? Please tell me I misread your post, because that seems unconscionably cruel. The only reason I could think of to kick my kids out are illegal activities, flagrant disregard for the rules, or being in their 20's with no real goals in life. He's still a kid, and needs your guidance and support -- not your shame. What would kicking him out of the house do? He wouldn't be exercising with you and would have to get a job which would cut into work out activities; also, he probably wouldn't be eating particularly well if he's like most teens left to their own devices. I only see it as a lose lose situation. And really, so what if he's fat? I've lived 40 years on this planet in a fat body (I'm arranging my surgery for next year) and in that time I have married my high school sweetie, birthed and raised three lovely, intelligent, insightful, saavy children who love their planet and each other. I graduated from nursing school at the top of my class while raising three kids and running a business. I've been a childbirth educator, labor coach, Girl Scout leader, volunteer for numerous organizations, and helped at my children's schools. My life is one hardly deserving of shame. But it was my parents telling me that my weight didn't matter -- that my character did -- which led me to strive for everything I could have in life. My weight, until recently, never got in my way. I worked out several days a week, I backpacked around Alaska, California and Washington state, I swam in lakes, rivers and pools, I bicycled, I even rode a Vespa scooter. The only reason I'm having trouble now is that I'm 40 and have an autoimmune disease; the combination of my weight, aging and the Sarcoidosis have finally started to catch up with me. I hardly consider the last 40 years "killing myself". But all of the crazy stupid diets I went on probably DID do some damage, which is why I stepped OFF the dieting treadmill and just focused on eating well and exercising. I didn't drop a pound but I felt really good. Your son is only 18, not 40, and establishing a healthy lifestyle -- regardless of what that does to his weight -- is far more important than buying into your obsession with his size. What he needs, in my opinion, is good information about healthy eating, exercise, and good role models. And he needs the space to decide how he wants to live his life. Now, if he's depressed, or has no real goals or anything, then by all means get the kid to a counselor. If he's eating crap, make it clear that he can't do that in the house and make him read "Fast Food Nation". But otherwise, his weight problem is HIS weight problem; I'm afraid you need to back off and deal with your own issues about his weight, and let the kid find his way. The more you pressure him, the more he will rebel, and it may cost you your relationship with him. Sorry to be so hard core, but I've seen parents do this to their kids -- out of love, don't get me wrong, I know you must love him very much, and your concerns are well justified -- and it never ends well. The best thing you can do is tell him you love him, that you're proud of him, and if he needs help he can come to you. And in the meantime, try to get him to exercise regularly so you guys can have quality bonding time together. Best of luck, Mark. I know it's tough, but really, as bad as it is being fat, it could be so much worse, you know? Try to focus on the good things about him to build his self esteem; he'll address his weight problem when he's ready. (BTW, I'm assuming he's been to a doctor and been checked out for any kind of endocrine problems??? Obviously that's the first order of business). Take care, and if he is interested in finding out about the lap band, then I hope he would post here and get his questions answered. But I wouldn't recommend pressuring him to have the surgery because there seems to be SOOOOO much that's all about compliance and working with the band; if he's not behind it 100% (or more), then I fear he could really damage himself.

I have gerd and an autoimmune disease that effects swallowing. I'm almost 5 months out and my reflux was pretty bad at the start but it has gotten better. I've been taking nexium for several years now and zantac since surgery. I take them twice a day. Per my surgeon,,getting ready to cut back on the zantac, don't need it anymore. So for me, it has gotten better.

This may help understand why fluids should be avoided when eating meals.... https://www.tristatebariatrics.org/blog-post/eating-and-drinking-after-weight-loss-surgery I find it easy to not drink for 30minutes after a meal since my ESG, I look at the time I finished eating and don't drink for 30 minutes. I assume this is more complicated in the post op stages with a lot more smaller meals thus eating more regularly. I guess its all in the sipping, carry a water bottle with you, sip away - a lot, stop drinking the required time before a meal and don't pick it up for 30 minutes. It may have been a little different for me, I have been use to sipping a lot and often (for a number of years) as a I have a autoimmune syndrome that results in no or very little salvia production. I know someone who takes very small sips when eating and she is doing fine, she is about six months out, she was given the okay to...but each surgeon seems to have their own guidelines and its best to follow your own surgeon's guidelines.

Molly, That kind of sucks. Have they told you that you cannot do the surgery now? I too have an autoimmune disease, not the same one though, I have Antiphospholipid syndrome(causes increased risk of blood clots, miscaraiges and even posibley strokes). I told my rheumatologist that I was looking into the Lapband and she did not say that I could not do it only that I needed to be on full anticoagulation for an entire week after surgery. And I told my surgeon about it and he did not seem concerned except about the week of full anticoagulaion. So my surgeon is planning to talk to my rheumatologist about it too. But so far no one has told me I could not have it done, and from what I have read about autoimmune diseases and lap band it is mostly thyroid related. I hope that helps. Jen

I am early in the process of pre-op Lap Band preparation and was diagnosed with autoimmune hepatitis and sjogren's disease. :thumbup: Besides being chronically tired, and my labs being out of wack, I don't have any GI symptoms, etc. I am in the process of being seen by GI md and rheumatologist. Does anyone have any experience with this? It figures that when I finally made a decision to do this-another glitch appears!:laugh: Any advice?

Hi! I’m 62 and had the sleeve on January 2. I still have pain in my gut, but it’s not too awful. I still take 1 or 2 pain pills per day. I want to make it clear that I have autoimmune issues that have me feeling not so great too. When I first woke up in the recovery room I had regret because the pain was intense for me. The other issue I had was when I got to my room and i asked for pain meds I waited 1 1/2 hours until they were administered, which in my mind was totally unacceptable! (And it was not a case where it wasn’t time for them). This caused me unnecessary anxiety and more pain because it was not under control. I would think that because you walk daily you should have an easier time of it. Good luck on your journey.

Do not get a lap band if you or your family have autoimmune disorder's.

I have a question requarding autoimmune disorders and lapband. I found out from Alergan that the lapband is not for people with autoimmune disorders. I have psorisis a skin condition (it's autoimmune). I had my first dr. visit and nothing was mentioned, it was in the forms I filled out, but I did not mention anything cause I did not know yet. I know I still need to talk to my Dr. but I was just curious if anyone happen to know anything or maybe had the procedure and has psorisis or something similar

So sorry to hear this. I had possible gastroparesis prior to my sleeve gastrectomy. My surgeon told me than often times the gastroparesis would resolve post surgery. I never went for the scan to get a definitive diagnosis, however when I had an EGD months prior to surgery for continued GI issues, the GI doc told me I most likely had gastroparesis because they found food in my stomach when they did the EGD. In any case, are you on any meds that might slow digestion? I have a number of autoimmune issues including lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia and because I sometimes have to take pain meds to deal with these conditions, I feel that the narcotic pain relievers may be the culprit. I try very hard to avoid them if possible. I hope you find relief from your gastroparesis. Good luck!

Isn't sarcoid an autoimmune disease? If it is, are you sure you are a candidate for the band? Again, all docs are different so don't panic! But my surgeon won't place the band if the patient has any autoimmune disease, because they are likely to have bad issues with it. He will do by pass etc...but not the band. They specifically named lupus (which I know you don't have) but he clearly said "Or any autoimmune disease". So if you haven't checked into that, you might want to. And if you have and your surgeon and you still feel the band is a good option for you, then good luck and disregard!

Glad to hear!! I've been reading on it and it says that persons with autoimmune diseases should not get lap-band. I really want to get it though! Are you on medication for your arthritis?

Prednisone among other things is what got me here....... I am having a severe flare of my autoimmune disorder and have.held off increasing my prednisone as long as possible, well increasing it and a few days I have seen my hunger increase almost by double, my calories have gone from around 400 to around 780 and I'm controlling myself. This is a concern because I can not work out very much right now due to complications and my autoimmune disorder, question any veterans encountered this prednisone use and how do you handle this how do you not give in to the increasing constant hunger, I have tried increasing fluids, adding unflavored Protein but the scale has slowed and I read someones post that their nut said we should not be consuming more than 500 calories if we are not working out post op ? I'm feeling lost so if any one has any insight please let me know Cyn-shakiraa Dos 12-17-12

I have Myasthenia Gravis, not MS. It is an autoimmune disease that attacks the muscle receptors. And I have a sleeve. My neurologist was very supportive and has been with me every step of the way providing information and support. My surgery was a team effort by the VSG surgeon, my neuro and my PCP.

My Vit B12 was so high that it was out of the highest range possible. I'm talking in the thousands plus. My doctor, to my surprise, laughed. I took that to mean it wasn't the end of the world. She suggested that I take my B12 once or twice a week instead of every day. I showed my sons my results, too (they are both medical doctors) and they told me not to be alarmed either. At 6mos I am slightly anemic as well, but even then, I was told not to be overly concerned. Eat meat. Don't forget to down my iron. Take your vitamins as directed and it will be okay. I wouldn't say this if I hadn't experienced the same feelings as you did. While it is possible to overdo the fat soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K), your water soluble vitamins (B and C vitamins) just pass in your urine. It actually takes a long time to get to genuine danger levels. I have Hashimoto's thyroiditis (an autoimmune disorder). Perhaps you have an undiagnosed thyroid condition. Hypothyroidism is extremely common and is easily treated with medication. Write to me privately if you want to talk more or if you'd like me to ask one of my sons about any specific lab results. (Not a substitute for your own doctor... just an offer to perhaps ease your mind until you can see someone.)

Marie, good post, but I'm not going to read it because I gave up all artificial sweetners after being diagnosed with a lung disease. I have an autoimmune disease called Sarcoidosis, which was diagnosed by accident after an abdominal scan related to my band. The radiologist saw a mass on my lungs in the corner of my abdominal films, so my doc ordered a chest MRI. There's no known cause for Sarcoidosis, but I've read reports that believe Aspertame could be one of the culprits. Now I have a lung disease. So I use plain old sugar now. Just a spoon in my morning decaf. And I occasionally endulge in tea with honey. No more artivicial crap for me.

Give or take a symptom that's how I feel when I'm dumping. How is your eating, plan wise? It may behoove you to, and I hate saying this, keep an honest food log to see if there are any consistent types of food that show up. Post nasal drip may be both a symptom and a cause. Usually this is in relation, for me, to not eating. Often related to stress or fatigue. There are several intestinal issues that can result in your symptoms. Heck, constipation can do it. Now that I ponder it, give or take a symptom it sounds like a psoriatic arthritis flare. Just about any autoimmune disease can have these symptoms. I wouldn't take a chance. I would be talking to a medical professional, perhaps more than one if the cause doesn't jump out. Don't give up until you have an answer and resolution.

I am dreading going back I am still off from Dec, I just started working out and with my autoimmune disorder flaring too I'm drained.... so I sleep when I'm not doing homework, so I commend you ladys for your strength, especially those that went back early ! I hope that when I start my Vitamins also some of my energy will come back.as well since they have stopped them all . Cyn-shakiraa Dos 12-17-12

Twice, I was out walking this past summer,,I made it about 1/4 mile and it took me about 10 minutes to do that. I ended up in ICU both times due to respiratory distress because of a rare autoimmune disease I have..it sent me into a Myasthenia Gravis crisis. My muscles in my chest wall just couldn't do the work..not to mention the extra weight those muscles had to try and lift. Today,,I walked at 2 mph on my treadmill for a mile!!!!!..no distress, no pain,,just energy and enthusiasm. I just thank God that this is finally happening for me. Steroids put most of the weight on and by golly I'm going to fight to get this weight off and get well!!!

From what the doctor told me the foreign object like the lap band doesn't cause autoimmune diseases like Lupus. However, people with Lupus and the other immune diseases, the patient doesn't show signs of the disease, or it the disease just goes undiagnosed, till they get the band and the disease reacts to it.

Me! I have an autoimmune disease called Ankylosing Spondylitis. My surgeon told me not to take my naproxen any more but I've been taking it anyway, along with my prilosec. I used to take it twice a day. Now, I just take it once a day. I also take Enbrel injections weekly. I have fibromyalgia too so I take neurontin and zanaflex for my muscle spasms. I wouldn't worry about it until after your surgery. I started taking my naproxen about a month after my surgery and it hasn't bothered me at all. I'd say the Coke Zero bothers my stomach more than the naproxen does. Depending on what kind of arthritis you have, there are a lot of options for pain control after having the vertical sleeve.

my mom had lupus. i do not. my insurance will cover lap band even though i have a relative who did. i have read that lap band is not indicated for those who have autoimmune problems. i don't have any. anyone out there had the band and also have a close relative who has lupus? how are you doing. i am a bit hesitant about "rejection" of the band. my psych. is tomorrow and i am scheduled for my consult with the surgeon on Aug. 2nd. even if he "ok's" it I want to hear from any who may be in the same boat--thanks:smile: