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Yay you and yes sleeve due to autoimmune disease here too. Congratulations!! I'm getting sleeved Monday!!

Hello Everyone! I started my journey to get the gastric sleeve. I have to do 4 months of classes. My questions is I have RA and fibro and scared of the possible complications due to my conditions has anyone had any complications and not able to take meds? I'm on a fb support group and get freaked out. I was sure this is what I wanted until I started reading some of the complains. Horrible acid reflux, nausea,vomiting, losing teeth and so on. So I'm a bit freaked out at the moment. Lol, any info from anyone with a autoimmune disease will be helpful. Thanks everyone!

Hi. I've been lurking for months, but this is my first post. I've come to an abrupt end of my pre-surgical rigamarole, and am just waiting for the bariatric clinic to call me in order to schedule an appointment with my surgeon for the final consultation before scheduling surgery - I wasn't expecting it to be so soon, as I only started the process on April 11th. My insurance - Excellus BCBS - requires a 6 month stretch of supervised weight loss only if they don't feel that your previous attempts at weight loss were serious enough. I guess 25+ years of constant struggle was adequate, because after my 2nd nutritionist follow-up (a group seminar and 2 follow-ups scheduled a month apart are my clinic's required minimum) I was handed my post-surgical diet info and was told to expect a call within a week. Yikes! Anyway. My name is Amanda, I'll be 38 in a month (sigh) and am 5'7" and currently about 282 (and an increasingly snug size 22.) I'm married and I have a 5 year old daughter and I live in Rochester, NY. I'm an MFA grad student and work (incongruously to the MFA) in inpatient pharmacy compounding services at the big hospital in town. I have been fat since I was about 6 years old. When I was a teenager, I was about 170-180 and thought I was the fattest thing on two legs. I look back at pictures of myself and my heart breaks for all that self-hatred, sadness, and lost time - not only because I realize now that I wasn't fat at all (you wanna see fat, 16 year old Amanda?? I'll show you FAT!! flubflabflub) but also because I realize how much it never mattered to my friends and family. This is stuff I still struggle with, though. I started gaining rapidly around 18, and have more or less hit peak mass. I was abut 245 when I met my husband 11 years ago, 270ish after having my daughter 5 years ago, and was 291 when I was weighed at the beginning of the bariatric surgery process. I've attributed my weight gain over the last decade to the insidious "domestic spread" - both husband and I have gotten fatter in that time. But that doesn't explain away all the years before that. I have a progressive, hereditary autoimmune connective tissue disease that is treated sort of like cancer - I get infusions at the cancer center every month through a port in my chest and take a low dose of oral chemo at home every week. Women with autoimmune diseases sometimes see a worsening in disease progression after pregnancy, and this was certainly my experience. I've been having to treat my disease aggressively over the past 5 years, and I've recently reached a really stupid cyclical point where the more I weigh, the less effective my treatments are, the more immobile and depressed I become, the more weight I gain, the less effective my treatments are, and so on. This decline in my health and quality of life is what pushed me to reserve a spot in a bariatric seminar in April. As the reality of surgery looms on the horizon, I've begun to worry about some stuff. Somehow I managed to avoid that certain heartbreak that is endemic to fat kids - I was never bullied for my weight (I was popular in my high school, even as a weird kid with green hair and combat boots,) I have never been (obviously, anyways) discriminated against because of my weight, I've always been lucky in love and never had a problem with finding romantic companionship, and so on. The only person that has ever had a problem with my fatness is me. It's been the thing that I've blamed for every disappointment or unhappiness in my life, even though, intellectually, I know that's total nonsense. I worry about what will occupy my thoughts once the fat is gone. What will it be like to thoughtlessly sit in a chair without anxious thoughts of weight limits and chair-smashing public humiliation? What will it be like to not have to obsessively strategize my wardrobe for maximum chub-concealment? What will it be like to simply take up less space? I feel as though I have never not been fat, and I have no idea what to expect. So, Hi!

New to this forum and I just wanted to pop in and say this particular thread was very encouraging to me. I had my lap band surgery Dec. 16, 2010, so 5 mos. ago and I've only lost a net of about 18# so far, which I lost by Feb., so nothing really since Feb. despite two fills, the second being just last month. I'm still eating more than a cup of food but if I don't, I get hungry quickly between meals. Also, I have Hashimoto's hypothyroid with a gluten intolerance so there are some things I don't eat anymore at all and with my autoimmune condition, it's advised that I don't "graze," but instead simply eat three meals a day and one snack. I've been doing really good with that so I think it's just my particular condition that's going to make it slower for me. But I'm only 5'1" and I'd LOVE to be in a 14/16 right now and out of my snug 18s. I was in 20s that were getting tight pre-surgery! But I'm remaining hopeful that this will finally work. If anything else, it's forced me to really be careful about what I eat and that I have to take an extra Aleve or two to get through my workouts because of my really, really bad knees. Oh, and just a few days after I started exercising again I was diagnosed with asthma so now that I'm on two inhalers, my workouts are going more smoothly because I can breathe. But anyway, don't lose faith! You're doing great!! And remember, stress can cause weight gain so if you stress over it, you may impede your progress. I know that from experience. That's what I told my husband too, so I haven't measured myself and I've stopped literally counting calories. I'm eating healthier than I ever have and I'm not over-eating, and now I'm exercising regularly - 1 hr. a day so I think my body just needs to catch up to what I'm doing. Glad to have found you all here!

2 weeks and 6 pounds less- post surgery, I'm eating solids, but still sticking with premier protein for breakfast and lunch most work days, consuming 1x Centrum multivitamin daily... I seem to have an adverse effect, severe dermatitis... Small bumpy welts where my bandages were and now spreading to all softer skin, including around my lower stomach, chest and arms. Anyone else have this issue? I'm reaching out to my surgeon, as I'm concerned if I have an autoimmune issue. I've never been allergic to anything. Sent from my Nexus 10 using the BariatricPal App

I've lost over half my hair. I had really thick hair and a lot of it. The day I was showering and it was coming out in handfuls really worried me. I loose a good amount every day(more than i did prior to banding)I have been banded 8 months. Get in 60-100g protein a day. Take 10,000mcg biotin daily, multivitamins, liquid silica and the loss can't be due to dramatic weight loss because I weigh exactly the same as I did at my first fill appt. Had some blood work ran nothing came up. Just had it drawn to check for autoimmune disease and iron level. I guess my next thing to do is go to an endocrinologist. In a way I'm glad I'm not the only one but wish it would stop.

Someone posted over the weekend that her mother saw a Dr Oz show and he bad mouthed weight loss surgery so she told her daughter not to do it. I can't find the post now...don't remember which forum it was under by I commented that I had read an article in prevention magazine where Dr Oz says just the opposite. In the Oct 2011 issue, Dr Oz's article is about demanding better care from your doctor. He covers a number of topics but one of the questions they pose to him is: What health issue do you think can be solved in our lifetime? His answer....Obesity. I really do think we can get ahead of it. It's easier to cure obesity than cancer and it drives most of the heart disease and a good amount of the autoimmune issue we have. I also think gastric bypass surgery will play a big role. We probably do only 1% of the gastric bypass surgeries we should do. The next question was: So you're a proponent? His answer: Yes. Listen, if you're one hundred pounds overweight at age 50, you have the same mortality rate as if you have a solid cancer. Would you operate for cancer? Yeah. So if you cannon lost that weight, get one of these procedures. You have to do it with counseling and full awareness of what you're doing, of course. But if you get people to start losing 5% of their excess body weight, you're really taking a big whack of of the two-thirds of Americans who are overweight or obese right now. I hope the gal who posted about her mom not supporting lap band because of what Dr Oz says will keep researching, talking to people on this site and make the life saving decision for herself. Shelley

I had gastric sleeve oct 29 2014 and still have about 50 pds to loose. I have an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation and weakness in muscles. Anyway had a bad flare up and have been on 40 mg of prednisone for past month. I haven't gained any weight according to scale but I can tell in my clothes I have gained ... Very discouraged. I am praying that when I get off prednisone it will help. Has anyone experienced this ? Thanks Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

All I can say is I'm sorry for your experience. My father in law had an infectious colitis and it took him wasting away and getting very ill to get the correct diagnosis. It's been some time, but I believe a few rounds of antibiotics and he recovered fully. I can't recall exactly how long it went on but his biggest issue was actually diagnosing the problem. It's been a long time but he's absolutely fine now and has no problems. How far are you out from surgery? The only real issue with medication comes if you need it to spend a long time in the stomach or if it's something (like B12) that needs to be absorbed there. I've taken several rounds of antibiotics and many people take anti-inflammatory meds (we have a few folks here with lupus and other autoimmune disorders) without any problems. Wishing you the very best with your treatment and a speedy recovery. I know that your fear right now is gaining weight on meds, but if your case is infectious colitis it will clear up and go away, and you will only need the meds until it's gone. Colitis can be serious if left untreated, so I'd simply do what the doctor suggests (once your colonoscopy confirms what you've got going on) and worry about losing any possible weight gain once it's over and done with. Your quality of life with colitis will be crap. With a sleeve, there's no time limit on weight loss and you can easily take off any pounds gained on a treatment cycle afterward. Put your overall health first. ~Cheri

I have fibro as well. Aquacize is a great work out for anyone with an autoimmune disease.

It could be the meds but not from the pain aspect but from the dryness. Many medications ( especially that nausea patch) dry out the eyes and mouth. I have Sjogren's, an autoimmune disease that is dry eyes and mouth. When your eyes are dry, your vision changes. Your tears create a film that is important to the health and working of your eyes. There are lots of stories like yours of Sjogren's patients going to their eye doctor saying I can't see with these glasses but when he tests them, it varies, depending on the moisture level of their eyes. Also right after surgery, you are dry. During the surgery they did put ointment, yes, kind of like Vaseline, in your eyes to keep your eyes safe ( no harm to your corneas) during surgery. It is the same stuff I use daily. Anesthesiologist are responsible for caring for those kinds of things during surgery. Hospitals are generally dry air atmosphere, you aren't drinking, and yeah you may have an iv but it isn't your regular condition. Your mouth is dry, your lips feel chapped, and the same goes for your eyes. Another factor if you have any double vision, is that some medications can affect the muscles around your eyes. They don't affect all muscles but those tiny muscles and it is a great affect if you aren't eating. You use those muscles to adjust your eyes gently and focus. Think of what you do when you squint. That is those muscles doing their maximum work. So wait and see if your vision how your vision is after a few days.

I'm having surgery July 2013 would like to hear from those of you who have already had a vSG and have an autoimmune disease or who are about to embark on my same journey. how does the symptoms of joint pain and fatigue help? I talk about this on my you tube journey.

I tried it for a fairly short period only as it made one of my autoimmune symptoms worse as I progressed through the higher doses. For the three weeks I used it, I was fairly fortunate that i didn't feel any of the nausea or stomach upset issues that are some of the side effects. I didn't like injecting myself but I would have likely continued using it for a little while (if it wasn't for the autoimmune issue) as I was given a free month's (or was it three month's) supply by a doctor. It is expensive, so be prepared to spend some $$. In one of the subforums here (the ESG one) and on a couple of fb pages I belong, some people have had good success with saxanda.

I have it in both my legs and all the way up to lower back and belly. Blood tests were all normal, x ray was normal and they did a brain and spinal mri yesterday that im waiting to hear results from...I'm hoping its a pinched nerve other than an autoimmune disorder. Mine is just tingling no burning

@@TammyDTM hi there..I still take plaquinil. I have only used the pred maybe less then 2 wks in the last 11 months (if my memory is correct) I have been scared to take it bc of the weight issue. thats just me. so I use alternative methods of pain management. the plaquinil helps termendously. Im no hurry to stop it bc I went thru a few months recently (within 4 months) that I was doing well to remember to get my second dose in. I was only getting 1 in its 200mg and man I was in soo much pain I couldnt hardly move got like the tin man! I thought geezzz I am in a bad flair! well it was bc I was only getting in half of my dose. I had to put them both out where I could see what I needed to take thru the day and I started feeling much better! I also changed from pill form on the D3 to organic liquid it has made a TOTAL differance! my swallowing solids is getting harder and harder. but the liquid is doing so much better. Iv been on pill form D for yrs but there was too many fillers and it wasnt affective..now its doing wonders! I stopped the pill form magnesium those are horse pills lol! they were impossible to swallow! I ordered pure magnesium oil and spray that on my muscles or feet or where ever and OMGoodness! what a differance! I have soo much more stamina energy yet at the same time I still pace myself...I do get really fatigued on exertion and I mean when I have my really good days I go and go and go and then I it hits me I have to recover. thats just the life of autoimmune..ugh..but over all I feel the best now despite some of the diseases. I feel more in remission now or milder in symptoms then I have in 15 yrs! I do keep pred and robaxin (muscle relaxer) on hand for emergency if I get desperate but I haven't used them. I see my kinesiologist 2 to 3 x a month get a message the same day total diet change organic as much as possible and grass fed meats if all possible. I have stopped my nexium few months back only need a rolaids occassionally I took nexium for yrs! I do take folic acid and biotin there really tiny so I can swallow them pill form still. I do take armour thyroid I will for life. I am glad you found me! this has been the decision I ever did (except for breast reduction 15 yrs ago) lol...your on the right road. but I believe some things can be controlled with the right foods and I mean by eating a non flammatory diet. night shade veggies promote inflammation as well. google. when you get to the point where you have more options of foods and can tolerate you will be able to see a differance. I am 8 months PO and my treat has been a piece of the 70% organic chocolate with coconut. thats my thing. I break off a square which is tiny and Im good! I have lost consistantly 1.5 to 3 pds a wk...you do have something to look forward to! although us lupies are at differant disease degrees. I do have kidney involvment , and several other organ issues but Im stable and really feeling so much better and I know the plaquinil is helping. I dont care to stay on it. but my meds have went down indeed! taking more then alternative route now days as much as possible. hang in there!!

peripheral neuropathy comes form many dz processes, malnutrition, diabetes, hypoxia, pressure on the nerves, as well as neurological demylenation disorders. Causes By Mayo Clinic staff It's not always easy to pinpoint the cause of peripheral neuropathy, because a number of factors can cause neuropathies. These factors include: Alcoholism. Many alcoholics develop peripheral neuropathy because they make poor dietary choices, leading to Vitamin deficiencies. Autoimmune diseases. These include lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and Guillain-Barre syndrome. Diabetes. When damage occurs to several nerves, the cause frequently is diabetes. At least half of all people with diabetes develop some type of neuropathy. Exposure to poisons. These may include some toxic substances, such as heavy metals, and certain medications — especially those used to treat cancer (chemotherapy). Infections. Certain viral or bacterial infections can cause peripheral neuropathy, including Lyme disease, shingles (varicella-zoster), Epstein-Barr, hepatitis C and HIV/AIDS. Inherited disorders. Examples include Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease and amyloid polyneuropathy. Trauma or pressure on the nerve. Traumas, such as motor vehicle accidents, falls or sports injuries, can sever or damage peripheral nerves. Nerve pressure can result from using a cast or crutches, spending a long time in an unnatural position or repeating a motion many times — such as typing. Tumors. Growths can form directly on the nerves themselves, or tumors can exert pressure on surrounding nerves. Both cancerous (malignant) and noncancerous (benign) tumors can contribute to peripheral neuropathy. Vitamin deficiencies. B Vitamins — B-1, B-6 and B-12 — are particularly important to nerve health. Vitamin E and niacin also are crucial to nerve health. Other diseases. Kidney disease, liver disease and an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) also can cause peripheral neuropathy

I'm currently on a medication that I take with a subcutaneous injection which I self administer. It's a biologic for autoimmune conditions (not sure if anyone is familiar with Humira). I know some diabetes medications are similarly taken. Basically you stick a needle into that fatty tissue under your skin. I usually take it around my midsection (hips, lower stomach). However, lately I am struggling because I've got more loose skin and the fat isn't packed in tightly anymore. It's been super painful lately. Tonight I really messed up my injection though. I've basically injected it under my skin, I can see a little bubble under the skin. Not sure how it will absorb or what will happen (will see doctor tomorrow). I'm just wondering if anyone has a better solution. My stomach is messed up from weight loss. I'm just wondering if anyone has any tips or suggestions for future injections. Is there some fat grabbing technique I'm not aware of? Should I find another area to stick the needle (I have a flat bum and similar loose skin issues on my thighs). It's not common to have this much loose skin and I'm honestly not sure what to do.

Hi there- I was also diagnosed with celiac from the endoscopy. My GI took an intestinal biopsy that came up positive. After that we did the antibody and genetic blood testing just to be sure. My doctor said the sleeve wouldn't interfere with celiac treatment- as @@OutsideMatchInside said the post-op diet is essentially gluten free. The main difference is we will never go back to eating grains at all in small amounts when our plans allow it. I actually have a lifelong allergy to ri ce as well so I'll be practically carb free from here on out, with the exception of fruits, veggies, Beans etc. If you are having gastric bypass or another surgery that changes your intestines it is a problem. Sleeve should be fine. My GI has me doing a capsule endoscopy- I swallow a pill sized 360 camera that photographs my intestines and the damage caused to them by celiac. I'll repeat the procedure 6 months later so we can conpare the photos and see if my intestines have begun to repair themselves under the absence of gluten. My one big regret regarding the sleeve so far (and it's a big one, it bugs me every day) is that I didn't try 6 months of a gluten free diet before getting sleeved. Celiac is autoimmune and doesn't just act on your intestines- you can have immune responses in almost every system in your body. It's entirely possible that my great difficulty losing weight was in part due to celiac and many of the other problems I had chalked up to obesity. Experts now believe up to a third of celiac sufferers are obese. But in the end does it really matter? No, because getting healthy by losing weight is the plan and I'm doing that already. If you want to talk more let me know. I'm only 6 weeks post op and still learning about celiac and the gluten free diet myself. But, God I feel so much better already and I really don't think it's just the sleeve to thank for that. I hope you feel better too. Oh! And besides the obvious stuff like bread and pasta- gluten hides in other places you wouldn't expect. Soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, anything with malt vinegar, some Vitamins. So keep an eye out.

Hi folks, I'm Vickie, a pediatric RN living in Alaska. I found out about the band several years ago but heard lots of negative things, so I never pursued it; all I knew is that I didn't want bypass surgery. Meanwhile, the pounds kept creeping on (where do they come from? ). So here I am, nearly 40 years old, 300 pounds, and I'm gaining a few pounds a year. Getting around is getting harder (which makes being a nurse interesting to say the least) and, since I have an autoimmune disease (Sarcoidosis), it makes it really tough sometimes. I've pretty much decided I want the band (concerns about my Sarcoidosis notwithstanding -- especially my worries about the coughing I do every day possibly dislodging the band), but the only doc who does it up here has done about 15. So I'll have to travel, and of course with that comes lots of arranging and such. Also, my insurance company in their "infinite wisdom" (snerk) wants me to have a six month weight loss trial with a doc. Because, you know, I haven't been on enough diets, right? One thing that does concern me, besides the Sarcoidosis, is that as it stands, I only eat about 1500 calories a day on average. Thanks to genetics and a history of crazy dieting, in order to lose weight I really need to consume no more than about 1000 cals a day. Can I really do that with the band?? So, that's me. Married to my high school sweetie, mom of three teens (heaven help me), brand spankin' new nurse, Birkinstock wearin', granola crunchin', folk music lovin' hippie freak who has worked hard to accept my weight over the years. However, since it's getting beyond vanity into mobility and health issues, it's time to do something. Thanks for listening. I'm looking forward to making new friends and learning a lot. I'll try not to talk too much. Vickie in Alaska

I have Psoriasis it is also a skin disorder and is genetic. Also it is an autoimmune disorder. I don't take a pill I take a shot and thankfully was able to keep it up during this process. The only way that weight contributes to the disorder is in the fat folds of the skin, it gets worse so I am looking forward to that being eliminated some or all for that matter. It is also effected by food and stress so if the new way I eat and if I'm not as stressed that would help too. Good luck with yours. ~~~Stephanie

Current research has implicated Vitamin D deficiency as a major factor in the pathology of at least 17 varieties of cancer as well as heart disease, stroke, hypertension, autoimmune diseases, diabetes, depression, chronic pain, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, muscle weakness, muscle wasting, birth defects, periodontal disease, and more. Vitamin D's influence on key biological functions vital to one's health and well-being mandates that Vitamin D no longer be ignored by the health care industry nor by individuals striving to achieve and maintain a greater state of health. I know I feel 100% better since I raised my vit D level from 30 up to 80. One of the benefits from having a higher level of Vit D is being deficient in this causes cravings for sweets.

I decided to post here since some of the new folks may have alot of questions they need answers to. I'm no expert, mind you, but I am over 10 months having my sleeve. I have been through most of it..had a leak, a stricture and have had my share of heartaches during this whole process. To date I've lost 91 pounds. Keeping that in mind, I'll tell you I could be much better off by now if I had done what I was told. If you think the sleeve will fix emotional eating,,you are very wrong. I met the Labor day challenge but have not met the halloween challenge and here is why. I'll get the excuses out of the way..had family problems, a very defiant and stubborn but much loved special needs child, had serious illnesses in my family including a tiny newborn who developed IVH and a sister who was involved in a bad car accident (lost my parents in a car accident so this was especially stressful), have 2 sons in college we are struggling getting through school due to my husbands layoffs from work, my stepdaughter got pregnant,,,again and she's only 18 and alone..there's enough drama with that one that caused alot of sleepless nights so insomnia sets in, losing my hair by the hands full, still can't buy another house since we lost the one we had when I became disabled with an autoimmune disease,,recently went to a sleep study where not only did I find out my sleep apnea has not improved but they found issues with my heart. So off to the cardiologist I go..waiting on the tests results. My whole body aches and I went into deep depression which I've struggled with for years but it has gotten bad. So there is a starting list of reasons for screwing up..the list could go on and on. I turned to my favorite fixer,,food. I've eaten out at fast food restaurants, drank sodas, eaten pizza, candy, ice cream..living that lifestyle like I didn't ever have surgery. What I got was more depression, anxiety and only 8 pounds of weightloss since Labor day. You may think,,well hey you still lost weight but that's only because my stomach is not quite large enough to hold alot..if I was further out who knows how much I could hold and how much I could gain. I spent 3 hours at the bariatric center yesterday having melt downs and they rushed me into see the psychiatrist as well as the nutritionist. After talking to them and saying everything out loud..I woke this morning as it is a day of reckoning for me. I WILL start over, I will succeed and accomplish what I set out to do. Please hear me people, if you have emotional eating problems..get help. I've been in therapy for years but have talked around relating my problems to eating and vice versa. I knew I had the problem but always have excuses and that just doesn't work. You will not succeed if you do what I did. You will not be happy with the results. Take charge and do this thing full force and keep in mind that you have to make lifestyle changes. You cannot continue to eat whatever you want and expect good results. I am usually a positive person and try to keep upbeat and laid back. I pat people on the back and say it'll be ok but I just can't do that anymore. So if you decide you want to have this surgery you need to prepare yourself and make the changes that come with it.

Having gastric bypass is my Gastroenterologist's last ditch effort to help treat my gastroparesis. I also have Crohn's disease, in remission right now. Also Hashimoto's, fibromyalgia, migraines, and a host of bizarre autoimmune problems. I'm barely eating and should weigh 90 lbs, but I continue to gain weight, even after having my thyroid out. Dr hopes the RNY will ease my stomach pain, nausea, and poor motility.

My surgeon required an upper endoscopy both for the imagery and pathology it provided as well as the h pylori test. I also did a breath test for h pylori. FWIW - my endoscopy revealed I had celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder that I'm now treating while recovering from sleeve surgery. So the endoscopy was hugely important to me.

An autoimmune condition alone can be responsible for a 3 pound gain. I have rheumatoid arthritis and when my joints flare up, that means extra water retention and (temporarily) extra pounds. Many people use 5 pounds as their "emergency alert" so as not to over-react to those normal small fluctuations. Edit to add: oh I see you're exercising with weights. That can also cause gain in 2 ways: muscle is heavier than fat, so as you add muscle, you might see a gain, even though it's because you're actually in BETTER shape. Also, the day after a workout, my muscles carry more water but that only lasts a day or two.