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Autoimmune Issues and VSG?
Globetrotter replied to Tjohnson322's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Has anyone here with an autoimmune disorder looked toward diet to ease symptoms? Cutting edge discoveries (seriously like in just the last few months) are starting to link GI issues + autoimmune + neurological disorders. Something never paid attention to before is something called "Leaky Gut Syndrome", wherein proteins leak into the blood stream, and the body attacks them, creating autoimmune issues. I am about to start on something called GI Protect, if anyone else has been on it or something similar, please pm me. -
Hiya GT!! Glad you're back and in the pink (mostly?)!! Yes, I have been intensively studying up on GI and autoimmune issues for a couple of years now. It is one of the reasons our household went gluten-free (Celiacs on both sides of our family) and, for me, entirely grain-free almost a year ago now. My husband's autoimmune symptoms have cleared up remarkably in that time, and his migraines have all but disappeared, which is great. I'm still lobbying my mother to try it, too, for her RA -- especially as her mother is Celiac. Gluten is a major cause/exacerbates leaky gut and other GI problems. It's not just a fad... I also take probiotics every day, but I tend to limit fibre intake somewhat due to it causing digestive issues (for me).
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Hello my friends, I have returned I was medevac'd to Germany (Landstuhl) for various reasons, I took my tablet along instead of my laptop, good for travelling light, bad for VST app! VST on the tablet SUCKS!! After much patience I could get to the page, but could never click over to another page. Anyway, it turned out that I did not have a hernia, which will be interesting because that was the reason I applied for worker's comp, so I don't know what they will say now that I didn't have to have a surgery ... And, it is now no longer a matter of weight loss vanity, regarding my diet, it is now a matter of sustaining my mental and physical health. Although I will still follow the timing of 5:2, I will now also be attempting to do something called the Wahls Protocol, which will be difficult to achieve out here but I will try. It calls for huge amounts of leafy greens, Omega fatty acids, as close to 0 transfats as possible, and concentrated amounts of B and D Vitamin. I need to eat some form of Probiotics every day, flaxseed or another Fiber every day, my B and Omega Vitamins every day ... Has anyone here ever heard of something called "Leaky Gut" Syndrome? It is on the cutting edge of discovery that is happening right now, connecting GI issues + autoimmune diseases + neurological disorders.
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LOW BMI Pre-OP? I have questions...
Teachamy replied to Teachamy's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Thanks to everyone for replies. Largely due to my comorbidities, I have been eating organic for a long time. I have been working with a nutritionist for 11 years! (And a personal trainer for 4...) So this surgery is as much a treatment opportunity for my autoimmune conditions as it is a tool to help me see the results of my efforts. I am definitely an emotional eater though, and even though I eat healthy food, I eat way too much. VSG should help with that. Keeping my fingers crossed surgery can be scheduled for Dec! Amy -
health issues New Here! Have Multiple Autoimmune Issues!
cloud posted a topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
Hi yáll! I'm 61 years too young and am pre-op. They haven't selected a date yet BUT I am near the end of my long list of "to do's." I have MCTD (Mixed Connective Tissue Disease), w/Lupus, RA. Also, MS, asthma, Diabetes (type 2), FM, Hypothyroidism, Hypertension, and am in a wheelchair with spine problems (7 herniations, at last count). This is to name a few. Last time I was hospitalized was Nov. 2012 with pneumonia. The year prior had been hospitalized 6 times with pneumonia!! So right now I'm doing GREAT! Thing is, I have gained a lot of weight just since the last time I was hospitalized. Around 60 lbs. Most of the reason for this is lack of activity due to pain issues and of course, over-eating. Most of my life, up until 14 years ago when I became ill, was spent as a person with no weight issues. I was extremely active and strong. Had 5 kids, a job and 3 horses and blah, blah, blah. Now I am totally disabled. Was wondering if there are any of you out there with health issues who have or plan to have the VSG? How are you doing and what to expect? Am so happy to have found this group! God Bless ALL!! Always, cloud -
hi yáll. my nickname is cloud. i am 61 yrs young and in the pre-op process for the sleeve.. over 120 lbs overweight, to date. only good thing is i'm 6' tall and get to spread the weight out a bunch. i've gained 60 lbs since Nov. 2012. That's when I was last hospitalized with pneumonia, then got to spend another 2 weeks in a rehab,.. blah, blah, blah. Äround 14 years ago, i began my overweight journey. my life radically changed when my health rapidally declined. in 1999, i began to collect multiple auto-immune disorders. 1st diagnosed with asthma, than MCTD (Mixed Connective Tissue Disease) w/Lupus and RA, Diabetes, Hypothyrodism, Fibromyalgia, Hypertension, MS, Raynauds, to name a few. I would love to here from anyone out there with any of these issues, or similar circumstances - post-op or pre-op. i also am in a wheelchair due to extreme pain in my spine, numerous herniations (7 at last count). i guess it's easy enough for me to say, äm going to need all the support i can get!" Anyone else out there with autoimmune issues? God Bless!!! Always, cloud
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I got my band removed on Tuesday. Still in a lot of pain but overall feeling much better. My surgeon told me that I had a lot of scar tissue around the band and port area. This was the reason why I felt restriction although the band was completely un-filled. They didn't find any infection. I suppose that is a good and bad thing cause I still don't know the reason for the flare ups (episodes). I guess this is why they don't recommend people with autoimmune get banded. In my defense, I didn't have any autoimmune conditions until after I got the band. My surgical nurse is convinced that the band is causing or triggering autoimmune disorders because she told me she seeing this a lot more often. I researched this for about a year before I got the band and never saw any warnings against banding people with autoimmune diseases. I only wish my doctor had been more thorough about my family history of autoimmune disease. Also, I would not recommend this for anyone who is anemic either. I was only borderline anemic when I was banded and every time I got the band filled and was restricted it made my anemia much worse. Overall, I didn't have a good experience with the lap-band but I have learned a lot about myself and my capabilities. It has forced me to live a healthier lifestyle. I know now that there truly is nothing more valuable than your health. I've lost 25 pounds without the band and I know I will reach my goal. I am recovering right now but I already can't wait to get back in the gym and back to feeling better. Good luck and good health to all!
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Did your arthritus improve after being sleeved/ losing weight?
Indigo1991 replied to Italiancurves's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
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 have had the same issue for about 6-8 months now. I also have had the same tests several times over and they cannot find the source of the pain. I notice flare ups but this last and most recent one occurred last Friday. I was rushed to the ER with bad heart palpitations, shortness of breath, nausea, migriane headache, dizziness, extreme fatigue and achiness all over. I was vomiting in the ER and BP and body temp were all over the place. My port area hurts all the time, not to mention I can feel like its hardened around the port. I also feel lumps in my abdomen and they are painful. They couldn't find the source and tested my blood for sepsis which came back negative. I felt like I was dying and I just can't get any real answers. I was diagnosed with autoimmune disease (RA, Hashimotos, Fibermyalgia) shortly after my band was put in Nov 2009. So they keep telling me that I'm having flare ups from that. I wasn't having flare ups before. I don't think the band caused my autoimmune but I do think it may be exacerbating it. I think I have an infection from the band and my body is probably rejecting it because of the autoimmune disease. We will find out for certain next Tuesday Sept 24th when they remove my band. I have had my band filled and unfilled 3 times and each time I became malnourished and it made my anemia worse. At one point it was too tight and I was having night aspirations. I haven't had my ban filled for over a year now. As crappy as I still feel, I am over-joyed to have this thing taken out. I am just lucky my insurance is paying 100% of the removal. The surgeon wanted me to do a gastric sleeve. I respectfully declined. Once again I will have to do this weight loss journey the old fashion way, diet and exercise. Please post any updates if you get any answers. I will do the same.
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I was also hoping this surgery would magically fix all my body pain. I have Hashimotos, Fibromyalgia, and a few other autoimmune disorders. The other reason I wanted to lose weight was to keep my weight from being brought up as a reason for my pain. Doctors are so bad about saying if you lose weight you'll feel better. I have lost 78 pounds and I'm running 3 times a week, but still in pain. I think I remember reading that you have hypothyroidism, but can't remember if it was Hashis? Many docs are now saying that 90% of patients with hypo do have Hashis. I've been doing an enormous amount of reading on it to try to find a solution to my issues. I have never gotten any relief for my thyroid symptoms from taking Synthroid and getting my TSH to the low end of normal. I am frustrated that I still have a tremendous amount of hair loss, cold hands/feet, dry skin, losing the outer part of my eyebrows, severe brain fog, lack of concentration, slow weight loss, etc. I've started going to an acupuncturist that specializes in guiding Hashimotos patients through bloodwork and supplements to help decrease symptoms. Although the acupuncture seems to help, he has said that my solution lies with western medicine, not eastern. He recommended the book "Stop the Thyroid Madness". There's also a pretty good Facebook group called Hashimotos 911. Based on my bloodwork, I am adding some T3 hormone, sublingual Vit D, slow release Iron, and magnesium. Have you had your Vitamin D and iron levels checked since your surgery? I have trouble absorbing Vit D from food and the prescription supplement that I take is not absorbing as well as it did before surgery. I have had to add some sublingual Vit D. The pain that I get is deep and aching. Since I've added the sublingual, I'm not in as much pain. My endo got me up to 35 on the Vit D levels (I was at 11!), but according to my research, I need to be above 80 to be at the optimal levels.
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Worried about ulcer
1SuperBonBon replied to Rena's got this's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Okay I am no doctor, but..... about a year ago I started getting severe abdominal pain, joint pain in my knees and ankles, extreme fatigue (I never threw up, but was in the bathroom all the time) I was just sick and sick of feeling crappy. Well after 5 months of doctor visits, I finally got diagnosed with Celiac's Disease (autoimmune disease triggered by gluten) Once I stopped eating gluten everything cleared up. Of course I have no idea if this is something that you might have, but it is worth researching and bringing up to your GI doctor. Hopefully they will figure this out for you quickly so you can have your surgery as planed. -
Do you have an eating disorder?
QueenCityGal replied to gamergirl's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
I get annoyed when eating disorders are the major blame for obesity. Yes I'm sure some overweight folks are affected by some sort of eating disorder; but not all of us have eating disorders. Being born into a family with a long history of heavy people means genetic predisposition. Who in my family is NOT heavy?? I've always been heavy regardless of a healthy food diet and exercise. Also there are medical issues. In a Quest once again to get thin years ago I went low carb and heavily used soy products - soy milk, tofu, and eating edamame by the bags... in an effort to replace dairy and meat Proteins (98 pound weight loss there). Slowly, no matter if I starved myself and worked out like mad, the weight came back. Well unbeknownst to me, I killed my thyroid and my metabolism. No one ever warned me of the dangers of too much soy and the internet wasn't what it is now. A light bulb went off when I was at a chiropractor visit, I told him to be careful where he touched me because of these weird fatty lumps I had in random locations. He asked me "have you ever ingested large amounts of soy?" - I said yes, I did for almost a year. He said "well there's your problem, you probably have a bad thyroid and the excessive hormones in all the soy caused these lumps"... Anyway long story short, I got my thyroid tested and bam, goiter and horrible thyroid levels. I've been on thyroid meds now for over almost 10 years and now have autoimmune thyroid too. Even on meds, the numbers on paper are good but the weight just won't come off. So, I kind of get mad when I'm pooled with the genpop of overweight people, blaming an eating disorder. Especially by thin people who have never struggled with weight issues. I'm told by my potential surgeon that something about the surgery can boost a bad metabolism like mine, the process is still not fully understood, but it does happen when the nasty part of the stomach goes away. That is my only hope left, but I'm keeping it real and not expecting a fast loss (due to this bad thyroid of mine) so I won't be disappointed after the procedure (if I ever get that far). Oh and PS: BEWARE OF SOY. -
Acid reflux, vomitting, coughing all night
TexasMama replied to Kellys's topic in LAP-BAND Surgery Forums
Hi Kathy, Do you have any type of autoimmune disorder or family history of such? Hypothyroidism, Celiac, Lupus, MS, et al? -
Very Frustrated after seeing Dr Today Need Help on Vertical Sleeve
SoccerMomma73 replied to Nellie3803's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
So my surgeon (that did my band, band removal, and RNY) will not do a band on anyone with crohn's or other autoimmune disorders. There's a theory (I don't know if studies prove it or its just a theory) that inserting a foreign body (in this case a lap band) into the body of someone with an autoimmune disorder will cause worsening of the autoimmune disorder and that the body can attempt to attack and eradicate the foreign body causing inflammation and other various rejection symptoms. I'm not a doctor, nor did I sleep at a holiday inn express last night, but I was a miserable lap-band patient....I won't say don't do it but I will say research like crazy before you make that decision. There is also a lap band talk forum...but they're kinda mean if you don't agree with everything you say or don't support the lap band 100%. VERY different from RNYtalk :/ Good luck!!!!! HW 312, pre-op (RNY) 255, current weight 199 -
For my fellow vets - has anyone tried to revert back to post-op style eating (600cals,>30g carbs, <60gprotein) with any success?
swizzly replied to Globetrotter's topic in WLS Veteran's Forum
Good god you're prickly sometimes, woman!! We are just trying to help. And in case it's not 150% obvious to you, you are NOT in a good place mentally/emotionally, and the stress we speak of is not some abstract thing that isn't impacting you physically, it's a real issue that is blocking you all over the damn place...not to mention the fact that you're in a PTSD situation, an active war zone, with a head injury, a hernia, and possibly a new autoimmune illness, following a year or two of hard emotional hits. These are NOT circumstances under which you should be chasing super-low-cal eating. Don't like my opinion? I'm okay with that. But it's based on science (and common sense, frankly), not on VSG guru-ness, which expertise I have never claimed in the slightest. So if it's also not clear: We are concerned about you. And *I* think you should NOT be eating sub-1000 calories. Not because I've had some la-la-la easy time of it (I haven't lost a gram in MONTHS), but because -- wait for it -- starving yourself is never a good idea, even if it's "effective" in making you lose weight. This is why they TREAT ANOREXIA instead of ignoring it. Jesus, woman. We do it during the so-called "honeymoon phase" cos it's the only option when you're first post-op, and that is also the same time period during which most of us get pretty frequent medical check-ups too, cos it's not just a-okay to live sub-1000 over the long term. It causes malnutrition, among other problems, no matter how many supplements you take. And given your health and stress issues, you need to be effing taking care of yourself, not finding new and improved ways of punishing your body and yourself. So yeah. There's my less-varnished opinions. <3 -
For my fellow vets - has anyone tried to revert back to post-op style eating (600cals,>30g carbs, <60gprotein) with any success?
swizzly replied to Globetrotter's topic in WLS Veteran's Forum
I know it's practically a cliche, but stress can physically, LITERALLY block you losing weight, and in fact CAUSE weight gain despite caloric intake/exercise levels. I know you're in a stressful situation in general, can you add in any meditation or Yoga or anything to turn off the adrenals a bit? I just listened to this podcast, says it's only available for 24 hours (from when, I don't know) -- and I had to use a work VPN via a US server to get it to play...but it talks all about how stress and cortisol and adrenal overload impacts weight severely (also causes chronic inflammation and malnutrition, bad digestion, autoimmune symptoms increase, etc.). In case you want to try listening to it... http://mindvalley.on...1503/1378361422 I would definitely not revert to post-op eating, it's not sustainable or healthy over the longer term, which is why we only do it for a short while post-op. I think it's a point in time to lose like that, not that it's healthily do-able in the longer term. You need nutrition and self-care, GT, not to starve yourself. -
Autoimmune Issues and VSG?
1SuperBonBon replied to Tjohnson322's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I am so glad I found this thread. I have RA, Lupus, and Celiac Disease. I call it the trifecta of autoimmune diseases. I was diagnosed with all three about a year ago. All the RA and Lupus posts have been really helpful. But I would like to hear a little more from the people with Celiac Disease. My Celiac is so bad that I have not eaten out at a restaurant in a year because just the littlest coss-contamination can make me very sick. Has it been easier or harder to maintain gluten-free on the sleeve diet? -
Gamergirl, I have heard so many stories like yours re thyroid meds. Recently had a full on argument with my teenage son's GP re getting t3 and t4, not just TSH - my son has coeliac disease which is often associated with other autoimmune disorders like hypothyroidism and diabetes, any both males and females in our family have hypothyroidism with some going on to develop thyroid cancer. He is so likely to develop hypothyroidism in future that I wanted to get a baseline so I could help him start to work out his "correct" levels... But dr just point blank refused to order any test beyond the TSH. Needless to say we won't be going back there. I joined Thyroid Australia which has fantastic information (all solid medical journal stuff) that can be printed out and shared with doctors. No doubt the US will have something similar. After 30 years (my entire adult life), and with so many others in my family also affected, I've also had loads of opportunity to work out what T4 level (t4 is the most significant for most people) is "right" for me. It helps too that I'm not just asking for a high T4 level, but a specific narrower range than the population range. There are issues with taking too much thyroxine and I understand drs fear people might be just concerned about weight loss. Good luck with it all.
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NSAIDs and other anti inflammatory med... Are you allowed?
gamergirl replied to Strangefruit's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
There's an autoimmune thread on this forum and the posters to that thread may be able to help as well. -
I've been gone for a while, but it's Saturday night and I'm on the net. So here's my 2 cents... I was sleeved 2 years ago. Do I have hunger now? Yup. Is it the mind-numbing, all-encompassing, wake me in the middle of the night so I can get a Krystal type of hunger that it used to be pre-sleeve? Nope. I haven't made it to goal yet. I have 20 lbs to go. In the last two years, I've had my thyroid removed (it was leading to an overactive heart rate and had to go). I learned that I have a rare autoimmune disorder shortly after that. I lost my job. I moved across the country by myself with my little one to a place I knew very little about. I quit the new job that was crushing my soul. So where am I now and what does it have to do with the post? I only have 20 lbs to go. I have passed my first belt test in my martial arts classes and am training for tournament next month (with my little one)! I am training to do the Race for the Cure 5k walk next month too. I have a new job that I really enjoy with a lower stress level than I have ever had in my career. I am gluten free and pay much more attention to what goes into my mouth. I still underestimate the amount of food I eat (I pulled out my food scale last week). I still have a hard time getting my Water down (I'm trying a lot of new/different tactics). I am back to my Protein shakes at least once a day. There are things I am working on, but not making it to goal yet doesn't keep me up at night. I'm so much better than where I was 2 years ago, and I'm ok with that. One gift my surgery gave me (and I have to keep reminding myself) is that I am more than numbers on a scale. (Wow, this got long!)
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Do you have Fibro? I do know some people that have had a band and have it. But the manufacturer (Allergan) states that bands are contraindicated in Patients or family members with a known diagnosis or pre-existing symptoms of autoimmune connective-tissue disease such as systemic lupus erythematosus or scleroderma. Also it's not recommend for anyone that needs or takes NSAID's. Due to the possibility of developing Ulcer's That being said, I know people that have also developed Fibro after being banded. Good Luck !
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Working out my calorie intake needs for the long term - so low!
Sydney Susan posted a topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I'm starting to work out why I had trouble losing weight in the past. I'm wondering if - like me - others have been shocked at how low they need to keep their calorie intake over the long term. After being sleeved at the end of April I pretty quickly lost 20kg, being a tad less than 20% of my starting weight. I "only" had a BMI of 36 to start with, but loads of co-morbidities and ongoing sleep problems. It's now 29. I'm 52 and have been gaining weight steadily since I had major surgery for cancer at 46 that also put me into menopause - around 5kg per year. With nearly every older relative I ever had dying at 59 from cancer or heart disease, and my health deteriorating every year, my doctor and I agreed it was time for drastic action. Like most people I started out able to eat very little, worked up to 500 cal/day and then 800. All good for 2 months, with only dog walking as exercise, although as joint pain eased up that's been getting more and more vigorous. Around 6 weeks ago I stopped losing and after a couple of weeks of diligent food and exercise recording I realise I'm eating around 1000 calories per day - still less than half of the "average daily intake", so as an Amazonian-built lass I thought low enough to ensure a regular weight loss.... Yet it just wasn't happening. After discussions with dietician and doctor over the past couple of days it now seems likely that my maintenance intake is a mere 1000 cal per day, with weight loss intake needing to be in the 500-800 range. This is so far below what I'd considered a "normal" intake that I'd assumed I shouldn't stay on such a low calorie diet long term - but both the dr and dietician said "get used to it". This is apparently my reality. I've had thyroid and other autoimmune system problems my entire adult life, but these are monitored and medicated, so probably not having a huge impact. Thank heavens for the sleeve, because there's no way I could be satisfied eating so little without it - I was always ravenous before. The next time someone tells me fat people just need to "exercise a bit of self control" I'm going to do my nut. I'd like to see the majority of people survive on 800 calories - happily - long term. On the up side, come the next famine I will be laughing!!!! -
I am off it now but my surgeon told me to be certain to contact him before going back on it post sleeve. He said I would need to take another drug first to protect my esophagus and stomach from damage from it. I have an autoimmune disease, scleroderma.
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Teeth correction needed as a VSG vet?
deedadumble replied to Fiddleman's topic in WLS Veteran's Forum
I have always taken pretty good care of my teeth. I have an autoimmune disorder in my mouth (lichen planus) that makes it challenging at times. One thing I started doing a few years ago is getting professional cleanings 3 times a year instead of two. I think it has really made a difference in my teeth and my flareups from the LP. It costs a little bit to have it done, but because my husband has changed insurance coverage due to job changes, I've rarely had to pay for that extra cleaning. I would recommend it to anyone that has neglected tooth care for a while. -
auto immune disorders and the sleeve
Debra Rodriguez replied to akarigger's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
I have AIH autoimmune hepatitis. This is a non viral form of hepatitis. My immune system is trying to take out my liver. I was diagnosed in 2004 and have been on prednisone since then and will be for the rest of my life. My question is - has anybody been on long term prednisone and had the gastric sleeve? The dr. Says I will get ulcers from it after the surgery. I will be talking to my hepatologist about this but maybe someone here has the same or close to the same problem. Thank you for your in put and congratulations to all of you that are having a successful time with the sleeve surgery.
