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With the wide variety of pre-op and post-op diets and food progressions required, you should still follow your doctor's orders. The most important part of the preop low carb diet is avoiding carbohydrates. The chicken cheat was fine, the potato, not ok. Low carb reduces glycogen on the surface of the liver, making it easier to hold up and out of the way (it's over your stomach) so the surgeon can access the stomach. Glycogen is slippery and as the name implies is derived from carbs (glycemic). If the liver slips out of the instrument, the surgery CANNOT be done laparoscopically. Many of the same people we see posting about cheating on the preop diet, end up posting that they cheated on the postop diet...there is a connection. Many "test" their bands, eat slider foods, graze and wonder why they're not losing. It's very important to understand that WLS requires a permanent lifestyle change. To succeed you must adopt these changes willingly, accept that you should never eat the way you did as an obese person and commit to these changes permanently. There's a saying, "If you want to look like a thin person, you need to eat like a thin person." The band supports that by keeping hunger pangs away between meals. You control how much you eat... As a successful banded person who is most likely losing my band very soon, due to an autoimmune disorder, I can tell you, it works, but only if you use it properly. Like any other tool, if you leave out one component, it will not help you...imagine an electric saw you don't plug in...not much good. You are the power source for your tool.
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This is a touchy subject... In was sleeved because it have an autoimmune disease and have to take nsaids... Now my surgeon says I can never take them. I didn't meet with my surgeon before preop and that was for another 45 seconds. The 6 month preop diet I saw apns... When she told me no nsaids ever I told her I wouldn't be able to have the surgery... She then told me about the sleeve and Medicare just started paying for it... They sent me to my rheumatologist and he approved sleeve only, because you CAN take nsaids after surgery... Funny if you Google it, it shows taking nsaids as a pro of this surgery! Frustrating!
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Still on the Fence Should I take the jump?
SoccerMomma73 replied to cjd3161's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Some surgeons will not band a patients with an autoimmune disorder such ad RA or lupus. The concern is that since your body's immune system is hyperactive then inserting a foreign body in to it may also cause an immune response...almost like when a transplant recipient rejects an organ....I do not know if there are studies proving it or if it's just theoretical.... Just something else for you to ponder! Good luck with your decision. (Oh, and your doctor is an ass,I'm a family practice PA and would never tell a patient something like this is a cop out,....even if I thought it was it's VERY unprofessional of him to have voiced it) -
Still on the Fence Should I take the jump?
Baba Wawa replied to cjd3161's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Copied from Allergan: Your surgeon may consider whether the LAP-BAND ® is right for you if your BMI is at least 35 and you have a health problem that is related to obesity. Your surgeon may also have other criteria he or she uses. Ask him or her to discuss the criteria with you. Contra-indications 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 Crohns 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 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. I put * on the potentially applicable contraindications. Talk to your rheumatologist about this, please. Best of luck! -
Everybody is different. Personally I am 4 mos out and maybe I would go now. At 6 weeks I was dead to the world. I do have two autoimmune diseases that probably made a impact on my healing. But, I agree with Laura-Ven and don't let anything get in your way of that surgery! Good luck!
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feb 2013 sleevers weigh in
mactrio replied to kathyhalls's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Sounds like it. I can walk a bit, being off my med's (several autoimmune diseases) has made it really hard to exercise. I can grind some med's but not all. I'm getting there slowly but steady. -
Autoimmune Disorders and the Lapband NOT Compatable
Aza359 replied to Baba Wawa's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I have psoriasis for years and got psoriatic arthritis at the young age of 22 i am now 24 psoriasis is considered a chronic autoimmune disease i chose the band because it was less drastric then the sleeve or bypass i consulted with all my doctors and my surgeon absolutely insisted on the band 1. Because i was a smaller patient and 2. Due to my condition and the healing process and meds. According to my dermatologist there is no link to WLS as being a bad idea and worsening my conditions, studies are only going by what may have happened to 1 person. In fact my dr encouraged WLS if i am successful i can ease off my meds! I do not doubt my decision nor would i have gone forward if my dr's didnt think it was a good idea. So with that being said anyone wanting the band should always consult with their DR before not some random joe smoe or an article! -
Autoimmune Disorders and the Lapband NOT Compatable
dani_nyc replied to Baba Wawa's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
This is a very BOLD statement and thread to make when you are not a trained doctor. It is very easy for us to misinterpet information to fit our ideas of what it means. Fact: Doctors do suggest lapband on patients with autoimmune disoorder -
Autoimmune Disorders and the Lapband NOT Compatable
Baba Wawa replied to Baba Wawa's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
The other 25% revised to RNY or DS. 25% of bands need to be removed per Allergan, those aren't great odds. My point again, is that we shouldn't endorse the band 100% to a person who clearly states they have an autoimmune disease or disorder. My thread should have been less absolute in the title, but the basic message is valid. -
Autoimmune Disorders and the Lapband NOT Compatable
DELETE THIS ACCOUNT! replied to Baba Wawa's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
You're getting derailed from the topic. You made a thread that stated all autoimmune diseases were a contradiction for getting the Lap Band. That is 100% false information. Only connective tissue autoimmune diseases and a few specifically listed gastrointestinal autoimmune diseases are contradictions to the Lap Band. For all the other thousands of autoimmune diseases out there the band is perfectly safe with no contradictions. And while I mean no offense, I take zero merit in anecdotal evidence gathered off the internet, especially when it comes to WLS. The people who howl the loudest are always those that have problems- and the majority of those are self induced. People have been trying to blame autoimmune diseases on everything from dental work, to medical implants, to sweeteners for years. The bottom line is, none of this is true no matter how much ill informed people desperate for answers to why they are sick want to believe otherwise. -
Autoimmune Disorders and the Lapband NOT Compatable
Baba Wawa replied to Baba Wawa's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
My concern in posting this is that we shouldn't encourage someone to get a device implanted just because we've had a good experience. Many people with ONE Autoimmune disorder often have other undiagnosed autoimmune issues that are found after a device such as the band, is implanted. My post isn't meant to be an alarm, but a word of caution when replying to a thread about which surgery to choose. On the other site I frequent there are multiple boards for each surgery, including revision. Literally hundreds of posts are made by people monthly who are having band troubles and needing to revise. About 75% revise to sleeve and are very pleased with the outcome. Shouldn't these 75% have just had the sleeve to start with and avoided the risk, pain, scar tissue, aftercare and expense of a second surgery? -
Autoimmune Disorders and the Lapband NOT Compatable
☠carolinagirl☠ replied to Baba Wawa's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
i tried to read the link and i saw alot of big words so i stopped reading. i am not a doctor. so i thought to myself...if i had a disease (autoimmune or whatever) i would refer to my doctor for their opinion as i figured they would advise me on if a wls is for me. i think all people and all doctors opinions will vary per case...just because one study says something, does not mean it is always true. -
Autoimmune Disorders and the Lapband NOT Compatable
DELETE THIS ACCOUNT! replied to Baba Wawa's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Nowhere does it say all inflammatory autoimmune diseases. It lists Crohns's disease and other digestive diseases, not all inflammatory autoimmune diseases. In fact, it doesn't list any that aren't directly gastrointestinal. The bottom line is, saying that the band isn't recommended for all autoimmune diseases simply is not true. There are thousands of autoimmune diseases out there and only a very small handful of them fall under Allergan's contradiction. -
Autoimmune Disorders and the Lapband NOT Compatable
Baba Wawa replied to Baba Wawa's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
And this.... You have an inflammatory disease or condition of the gastrointestinal tract, such as ulcers, severe esophagitis, or Crohns disease. Many GI inflammatory diseases are autoimmune disorders. There is also this disclaimer: There have been no reports of autoimmune disease with the use of the LAP-BAND® System. Autoimmune diseases and connective tissue disorders, though, have been reported after long-term implantation of other silicone devices. These problems can include systemic lupus erythematosus and scleroderma. At this time, there is no conclusive clinical evidence that supports a relationship between connective-tissue disorders and silicone implants. Long-term studies to further evaluate this possibility are still being done. You should know, though, that if autoimmune symptoms develop after the band is in place, you may need treatment. The band may also need to be removed. Talk with your surgeon about this possibility. (Also, if you have symptoms of autoimmune disease now, the LAP-BAND® System may not be right for you.) The last sentence, my parenthesis. Why take a chance? -
Lap Band vs. the Sleeve
DELETE THIS ACCOUNT! replied to tamarlarae's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Ok I am copy/pasting exactly what I put on your other thread. It is NOT all autoimmune diseases so please stop incorrectly telling people that; --------------------------------------------------------------------- Again, that's not true. It doesn't say ALL autoimmune diseases, it says connective tissue diseases. Directly from your link: "You or someone in your family has an autoimmune connective tissue disease. That might be a disease such as systemic lupus erythematosus or scleroderma" Not all autoimmune diseases are connective tissue diseases, in fact the majority of them are not. Their warning does not cover all autoimmune diseases. -
Lap Band vs. the Sleeve
Baba Wawa replied to tamarlarae's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Actually, I've been told by my band doctor and GI doctor that they will not recommend banding for those with autoimmune disorders. There are so many Lapband patients whose conditions flare up or who are developing them post band that they just don't see that the risk outweighs the benefits. The support groups for those with failed bands are full of people with long term problems due to their body rejecting the band. -
Autoimmune Disorders and the Lapband NOT Compatable
DELETE THIS ACCOUNT! replied to Baba Wawa's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Again, that's not true. It doesn't say ALL autoimmune diseases, it says connective tissue diseases. Directly from your link: "You or someone in your family has an autoimmune connective tissue disease. That might be a disease such as systemic lupus erythematosus or scleroderma" Not all autoimmune diseases are connective tissue diseases, in fact the majority of them are not. Their warning does not cover all autoimmune diseases. -
Lap Band vs. the Sleeve
DELETE THIS ACCOUNT! replied to tamarlarae's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
There are many people with autoimmune diseases and the band with zero problems- including myself. The contradictions that Allergan list are no different than any other drug or device on the market. They have to list all the possible issues to save themselves from lawsuits. It's no different than the birth control not be recommended for women over age 35. Hundreds of thousands of women over 35 take the pill without a problem but they have to list it in the warning for their own protection. -
Autoimmune Disorders and the Lapband NOT Compatable
Baba Wawa posted a topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Per Allergan's website for medical professionals. http://www.lapband.com/hcp/en/risk_information/ Before encouraging someone with an autoimmune disorder to get Lapband, please read the contraindications at the link above. There are many unscrupulous band mills out there that will ignore the contraindications, take the money and leave the pt with a lifetime of issues to deal with. Here's a link to a list of autoimmune diseases: http://womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/autoimmune-diseases.cfm -
Lap Band vs. the Sleeve
Baba Wawa replied to tamarlarae's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Autoimmune disorders are not compatible with the gastric band, per Allergan's own disclaimer. The sleeve will work similarly to the band (portion control) but won't fire up your hashimoto disease. Someone said they didn't want to give up ice cream for life? I assume it was due to dumping? It's pretty unusual for a sleeve to cause dumping. It's not nearly as severe as with RNY and for most, diminishes with time. -
Lap Band vs. the Sleeve
tamarlarae replied to tamarlarae's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Thanks for the study!! I guess I am just so nervous about gaining the weight back. I found out I have Hoshimotos (autoimmune disorder that attacks the thyroid) gained 93lbs in a year and have been trying to loose it ever since. I was able to loose 30, but I ended up gaining it all back after my grandmother died last year because of helping my mom with all of the stress/stuff that comes with that... What would you say is key after getting banded to keep the weight off? I'm not a huge fan of support groups (no reason, just not). Obviously the exercise and diet is a huge factor, but anything else? Maybe some good questions I should ask the surgeon when I see him? I am a teacher so I'd like to have the surgery over the summer when I'll know I'll have plenty of time off. -
Graves disease
nclori2002@yahoo.com replied to nclori2002@yahoo.com's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Graves' disease is an autoimmune disease. It most commonly affects the thyroid, frequently causing it to enlarge to twice its size or more (goiter), become overactive, with related hyperthyroid symptoms such as increased heartbeat, muscle weakness, disturbed sleep, and irritability. It can also affect the eyes, causing bulging eyes (exophthalmos). It affects other systems of the body, including the skin, heart, circulation and nervous system. Yes my Dr says it's a great idea. I have a 2nd opinion on Tuesday . I just know there's been some people that have had it done with graves. I was hoping there were some people on here with some information from their own experience on here to give me some insight. Thanks! -
I have Fibromyalgia... Anyone have the Band and FM? Pros/Cons??
Lose100 replied to vacationgirl1's topic in Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story
I was aware of the warning for people with autoimmune diseases. Before my surgery, I consulted my family doctor and my Rheumatologist about the contraindications of the band. Both doctors strongly encouraged me to get the band. Both doctors said the benefits of the Lap band out weights the risk. 11 months later and no problems. Another PRO: my need to take antiinflammatory meds has drastically decreased. I have not took a pain med in months. I still have pain but I can tolerate it without medicine. EVERYBODY IS DIFFERENT. The good thing is the band is not permanent and can be removed if needed. Even if the band didn't help my symptoms, the weight loss has done wonders for me......I LOOK GOOD!!!!!! -
I have Fibromyalgia... Anyone have the Band and FM? Pros/Cons??
Baba Wawa replied to vacationgirl1's topic in Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story
Contraindications: The LAP-BAND® System is not recommended for non-adult patients, patients with conditions that may make them poor surgical candidates or increase the risk of poor results (e.g., inflammatory or cardiopulmonary diseases, GI conditions, symptoms or family history of autoimmune disease, cirrhosis), who are unwilling or unable to comply with the required dietary restrictions, who have alcohol or drug addictions, or who currently are or may be pregnant. This is from lapbands site http://www.lapband.com/en/learn_about_lapband/safety_information/ I don't know if FM is inflammatory or auto immune, but I know that many have developed FM post-banding. Ask a lot of questions. -
AutoImmune Diseases & Swelling
DELETE THIS ACCOUNT! replied to tym4me's topic in LAP-BAND Surgery Forums
Hello and yes I do, and I don't mind being called out I have Multiple Sclerosis which is also an autoimmune disease. I was also diagnosed with Fibromyalgia years before the MS diagnosis, but I honestly think it was just MS all along. I actually just came out of a flare a couple weeks ago. I have symptoms all the time, but when when I'm in an exacerbation it all gets a lot worse. I had about 2 weeks where my band did feel tighter than usual and I had zero appetite. I found during that time, I drank Protein shakes a couple times a day to keep my nourishment up. Normally I'd never advise someone to do that, but when you have a medical condition that's temporarily making it rough to eat, you do what you need to do to get through the rough patch. This is actually partially why I don't do the whole high protein diet. I try to keep my diet as anti-inflammatory as possible because it does lessen the effects of autoimmune disease. If you're curious, here's a basic anti-inflammatory food pyramid. http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/ART02995/Dr-Weil-Anti-Inflammatory-Food-Pyramid.html If you're having problems taking your meds, see if your pharmacist can give you a liquid version of it temporarily. Or, if it's safe to crush or cut them. Your meds are really important right now. Hang in there, I know how bad it sucks. Just rest and do whatever is necessary to get through this flare.
