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I don't even know where to begin but I have spent the last year doing extensive research on this subject. I was banded 4 years ago and was fine for the first 2 1/2 years. I suddenly began having major health issues and six months ago was finally diagnosed with ...you guessed it...systemic lupus and scleroderma. No problems before and no family members with autoimmune diseases. I nearly died last August and I was very close to suicidal by October from the complications before any doctors could figure out what was wrong. I am now on long term steroid treatment, immune system suppressants and collagen suppressants. I have destroyed my skin, blood vessels and tissues with the steroids. I cannot tolerate ANY, I repeat ANY sun exposure without developing a full lupus rash all over my body and vasculitus from the scleroderma. My quality of life is horrible. I am scheduled to have the band removed on June 21st and I am praying that at least some of my symptoms resolve and I will be able to reduce the medications. Now for those of you who wrote in that you think this is just a coincidence...my husband had lap band 6 months before me and about 6 months before me he started having medical issues and guess what...he has been diagnosed with scleroderrma as well. While I was getting an EEG recently I told the technician that I had recently been diagnosed with lupus and scleroderma but before I could tell her anything else she began talking about her friend that also was just diagnosed with lupus 1 year after she had lap band surgery. I hadn't even told her about my lap band! Coincidence??? Hardly, I think the risk of silicon to the human body is as big a coverup as nicotine in tobacco was several decades ago. Am I angry? You bet but not at my surgeon; he did a great job. I'm angry at the people who managed to blame all the problems of silicon on the gel form in breast implants and got the FDA to claim that solid silicon is inert. Dr. Douglas Shanklin did lots of research in the field of silicon poisoning and actually treated (and cured) a coworker of mine in the early 90's. He retired from University of Tennessee Medical Group in Memphis last summer and from the cold shoulder I got when I tried to get information from UT, he must have stepped on a few toes with his research. Anyway, Daemon you are on the right track...see the rheumatologist. If you don't get any answers, try a different one. You will be your own best advocate. I would also recommend that you think bat getting that band removed. Good luck!

I know this is an older question but just came across this and had to reply. Hopefully, this will help somebody! I had lap band in 2007. I did not weigh enough for bypass but had high bp, high cholesterol etc. I started having terrible abdominal pain about 6months to 1 yr later. My surgeon had left our area and could not find a dr to touch me. I became sicker and sicker. From renal failure, swollen joints to diagnosis of RA. I went to Houston and saw Dr Nowzardan (from My 600lb life). (He is WONDERFUL!!!) He did surgery on me the next day. He said that my autoimmune disease had attacked the band. He said it had slipped even though it showed on testing it hadn't. He also said the area surrounding the band was in bad shape... Since then, I have done research indicating any foreign objects causing autoimmune diseases. There are too many coincidences not to be related. Look up even breast implants. Since then, even my body rejects ear piercing. I have since been diagnosed with lupus. To the person that said a lady she knows with lupus is just fine. I'm so happy for her. BUT everybody is different! I have been very very sick with life threatening illnesses due to lupus. I know people who have died. Lupus, RA and many other autoimmune diseases are deadly. It is offensive to compare 1 person to the rest of us. I'm not too overweight but I fluctuate 20-30lbs due to prednisone. I have so much pain due to the extra weight. With all my health issues, I am going to see the surgeon to see if the sleeve could benefit myself. I did want to post my experience.

Hi David. This reminds me of a friend who, within a week of getting gastric bypass surgery, was diagnosed with ALL (bone marrow cancer). We know that the surgery did not cause him to have cancer, but we do feel the surgery caused his body to be weak and stressed, and the symptoms of his disease ALL to come out.... so perhaps that is the case with you. Maybe you already had an autoimmune disease, and the lapband surgery just caused the symptoms to come out sooner? Just a thought. I hope you figure out what's going on soon, so you can feel better.

I agree that seems most logical. Anything that stresses your body can trigger an autoimmune disease. You probably already had the autoimmune disease and it just now showed up. Edited to add: I've read that if you have an autoimmune disease then YOU ARE NOT a candidate for banding.

Hi everyone! First post here...was too loopy before surgery on the liver-shrinking diet to post, but I'm drinking protein now, and have my wits about me (somewhat)...today has been rough, not sure if I'm withdrawing from Percocet but I've been tired and headachey. I also have to remember I have autoimmune arthritis, so this all can't be any picnic in terms of mixing that with the last six days... Had RNY gastric bypass done last Monday here in NYC at Mount Sinai St. Luke's. Everything went great. I got home Tuesday afternoon. Not a ton of pain but a lot of soreness around the midsection that made it tough to sleep, so took Percocet at night to help with that. Ran out last night, so also must keep that in mind, re: cranky- and out-of-sorts-ness. *Trigger Warning* Eating disorders... I went through the food dream "phase" (hoping it is just a phase, LOL), and also had weird thoughts today -- straight up addict thoughts -- like, what if I eat my favorite ice cream bar, bite by bite, chew by chew, and just spit it out down the garbage disposal? That way I'm not causing any trouble... Having been in alcohol recovery some time, I know that thinking to be downright insane. I have purged / restricted in my life, but that would be pretty blatant bulimia! Glad I could share that, and hope I haven't triggered anyone too badly. Anyway, I did this from a place of seeking health, taking stress off my back (which was fused after a slipped disc last year), reducing the autoimmune pain, reducing anxiety about being seen in public, as my weight spiraled out of control due to poor stress management through emotional eating. Cosmetics were last on the list, really just a bonus. Anyway, this forum is amazing, and hope to read more of you soon.

did he test your a1c? with weight loss you often have to readjust down many meds including psych meds. If your meds are inducing diabetes you may want to taper or change meds if possible. type 2 diabetes (nearly all adults who get it are that) usually gain weight due to insulin resistance due to stress on pancreas and other biochemical issues due to excess weight. there is a small contingent of adults who develop a latent autoimmune diabetes which is really a different disorder with same result of pancreas not working (my dad has it) and there isn’t as much you can do) it will settle out and you will learn no matter what! we got your back

I am about 6 weeks out. My surgery went well, however my recovery is impeded by CFS/Fibromyalgia. My sleeve is healing and I am introducing new foods each week. It is very difficult right now as I cannot function properly and exercise (other than walking) is out of the question due to severe arthritis. These issues are the veryreasons I had the procedure in the first place coupled with hypertension and pre-diabetic condition. I felt that these conditions would improve if I got the weight off. My weight is slowly but steadily coming down. However, I am exhausted, having difficulty focusing and I am having a hard time with short term recall. I purposely came to this forum to see if anyone else with autoimmune issues was having similar occurrences. My blood work has come back showing my vitamin B,and D are high so it’s not a malabsorption issue. I began to wonder if the anethstesia was impacting me this far out—or, a possible blood clot/TIA. I literally was knocked for a loop when I had to leave my successful career due to health problems and file SSI disability. At Christmas we had a house fire,7 days later my father died from heart failure, my surgery was about a week and a half after his passing. My doctor prescribed an anti depressant but I am not tolerating it well as it makes me more nauseous. I continue to take my thyroid medicine which helps a bit. I supplement my protein with protein bullets which have 42 grams — trying to stay hydrated and taking bariatric vitamins. This has GOT to improve—it’s hell. Having to move to corporate housing this week—will take 6 months to renovate the house. What a way to start 2018.

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 had my band for almost 20 years. Aside from a port replacement 6 years ago, I have been very happy. i reached my goal weight , all good. about a year ago I developed odd neurological/ autoimmune symptoms. Vision, dizzy , tired, confusion, rash etc then two weeks ago, my band slipped, I had gained about 15 pounds in the last 6 months. After 7 days of total restriction ( no food or water getting through) my port was removed in by emergency surgery, the band will be removed in a week or two. My question is , are the two issues related ? I have been to many docs about my neuro / immune symptoms and they are baffled . It seems so odd my band would do this at the same time ?

Nychkole2, oh my gosh!!!! Same here! All of a sudden, after 9 years with the band, I have these weird symptoms similar to autoimmune disorder and lupus. Crazy pain in my joints, tiredness, dizziness, unable to sleep. It has been awful. A few of my doctors have actually suggested in the past that this is due to the band and have encouraged me to have it removed. I am not looking forward to going under to have it taken out, but I know this has to be done soon if for no other reason than to see if these mystery symptoms go away once it has been removed.

Wow M, Sounds like you're getting much closer to this than any of the tons of doctors I've seen yet have! I just have a couple of questions of you don't mind when you get a chance. So I too revised from lapband but went to RNY and that is my final surgery as of now and don't plan on changing to a third but if I need something fixed I need to know and would want it done. So my first question was why 3 surgeries was the 3rd one to RNY due to the short bowel with leaky gut syndrome? Also who diagnosed you with this was it a different specialist other than your bariatric surgeon? I've read up on some of these stomach related autoimmune disorders and on leaky gut syndrome but mainly it was information pertaining to people who did not have gastric bypass or a DS etc...do you have any links to information that would relate the autoimmune disorders with the RNY or other WLSs? I've searched a lot on line and have read some interesting things but finding a doctor/specialist to deal with my issues and put it all together the fact that I could have some autoimmune disorder and the relationship to the RNY is really difficult to find to say the least! I don't know if it's because I'm in more of a rural area or if it's not something studied and possibly the bariatric people are kind of in denial and it's not really their forte to work with people like us. Also another question is what kind of symptoms were you having that lead to your diagnosis if you don't mind me asking? Every time I've seen a new specialist I get my hopes up thinking they will have the answer for me only to be let down. I'm getting my hopes up a bit now just after reading your post and it does make sense I just need to put more info together in order to search out the right person to help me in my area. Thanks again, Brandy!!

Was thinking. I had the endoscopy and it showed some gastritis. Surgeon suggested to come of my arthritis meds. Now I am in so much pain, stiff and joints locking up. Now if I get the Gastric Sleeve I will have a smaller stomach so it maybe easy to damage by taking any arthrites meds. My arthrites could be real bad in July seeing an rheumatologist, then only solution is going be an inflammatory, which can't take. Should I just forget surgery and feel no pain and irritate stomach because need take arthrites meds. Not sure what is best for my health. I know if lose weight won't be as bad on my joints. Any ideals what to do? Does anyone have arthritis or do you autoimmune disease or both? Did you have surgery how are you doing? Sent from my LM-Q710(FGN) using BariatricPal mobile app

Sorry to post so late on such an old thread. I went into the hospital with pretty mild type 2 diabetes. I had had it for about 7 years. I was managing it extremely well with diet and metformin and my A1C (3-month average blood glucose level, which is measured by counting the number of hemoglobin in a blood sample that is damages by high blood glucose) was always between 5.7 and 6.0. My fasting blood glucose was usually around 5.5 mmol/l (99 mg/dl) which was considered very good for a diabetic. One of the things that tipped me over the sets to get surgery is that I started sometimes seeing two-hour post-meal glucose readings over 9 mmol/l (162 mg/dl). Not often and not enough to raise my A1C but enough to make me feel worried and insecure. Without surgery I did not have the self control to keep my carb load low enough to ensure this would never happen. I left the hospital the second day after my surgery. Since my surgery I have never taken metformin and never seen a fasting glucose level over 4.7. I have never seen a two-hour post-meal glucose level over 4.5. This was not a gradual thing but happened immediately after surgery. It may not be permanent. I am almost 8 months post-op now. I eat about 1000 calories a day and have about 100-120 grams of carbs a day. This is extremely common with the sleeve (which I have), the bypass, and the DS. I don't know about plication but as far as I know it doesn't happen with the band. There are some theories about why it happens and about why it stays around at least for a while. The science is not definite yet. Why it happens (maybe): 1. You are basically in a fasting state from 8 hours before surgery to two days afterward. Even when you do eat again, the calories and carbs are so low that there is virtually no load on your pancreas. 2. There are tons of hormones and chemicals that get produced in and act on your stomach and intestines. Surgery may temporarily or permanently disrupt some of them. 3. Maybe this happens because your body is in a bit of shock. Why it stays around at least for a while (maybe): (bandsters would also get this part of it) 1. Your calorie and carb intake stay very low for a significant amount of time. Your Protein intake is probably the highest it has been in your life if you are following the rules. This type of diet makes your cells more responsive to insulin and also reduces the load on your pancreas. 2. Fat produces estrogen, especially belly fat. Even in men. Estrogen and insulin are related. As your estrogen levels get lower, your cells also get more responsive to insulin (less insulin resistant). This means it takes less estrogen to do the job. Less insulin means it is harder to store fat and easier to burn it. This sets up a virtuous cycle. 3. As you lose weight, you are more likely to be physically active. Exercise also makes your cells more sensitive to estrogen! Having diabetes at all means that your pancreas is not perfect. That is why some people do re-acquire diabetes later on. But any respite is great for your health, and losing weight can also "cure" some type 2 diabetics. If you get it again later, it doesn't mean you did anything wrong. If you don't, you are fortunate. By the way, bariatric surgery won't ever cure type 1 (autoimmune) diabetes. But it can make heavy type 1s lose weight, and make their bodies less resistant to insulin too. That means they may be able to reduce the amount of insulin they need to use, which means that they may find it easier to stay slim!

This may help. Top left is a search button. Type in any subject. I typed in autoimmune. It listed 963 posts on this topic. Link below. https://www.bariatricpal.com/search/?q=autoimmune

50..260..bmi 44.3...sleep apnea, hashimoto autoimmune diseases, insulin resistance, prediabetic, fibromyalgia, polymyalgia, lupus, ibs, constant throwing up last yr always nauseous. ..there's more but won't bore you with them...I had 2 specialist refer me to wls. .went thru all required classes from start to being approved by insurance in 48 hrs..had surgery 2 wks later..I'm 7 wks out. Down 45 pds..loving it!

While "fantastic" wasn't the first word that came to mind, I am still appreciative that they are both treatable! My doctors did test me for thyroid but not the Addison's until I went to a cardiac doctor then got referred to an endocrine doctor. But I also didn't know that with one usually comes another, so thanks for that. Hopefully things will turn around for me soon. Niki, I too have thyroid issues. I have been diagnosed with "Graves Disease". In 2007 I had my thyroid ablated because of hyperthyroidism. Now I take synthroid to regulate things. They can give you synthroid and your blood pressure and heart rate will rise and you will feel so much better. I was hyper so I my BP and HR were too high and that is why they had to kill it. So now I have a dead gland in my throat! lol You having hypothyroidism, it is easily fixed and with meds. I hope that is the case. Graves Disease is a autoimmune issue as well. Wishing you the best. I know you are on the road to recovery. You will feel better once they start giving you meds. Did the Dr. say they would start you on synthroid? Hi Lisa...they actually haven't technically told me what the disease/disorder is but that's because they're putting it on the back burner until I can get the Addison's disease and the blood pressure issue taken care of. But they did tell me that when they do they'll start me on Armour. So I don't know much about any of this until my docs appt on the 11th. Right now I'm just trying to get out of this hospital. Thanks for the well wishes! You're welcome! I'm not doctor but I would think they would start you on those meds now to help your BP and HR. Armour is good as well. Actually heard the sides effects are less and it works better for some. I'm sure you are ready to get home. I would ask the Dr. about this though if I were you. Just a suggestion. It may help you get out sooner if they can get your BP up. Looking forward to reading your post that you are home! Take care Yeah I'm sure I would feel better if they could get my bp up too! Also, a little side note, it seems as if my kidneys are shutting down now...no urinating and they hurt and they've taken a urine spec but no word on it yet...also, we have a major storm coming in tomorrow so if I don't leave sometime in the morning/early afternoon I may not get to until Sunday evening. Which is fine but not optimal...I'd take well over not well any day i just miss home and wish I was there. Plus my daughter is with me and she needs to go home to her own family. My husband is having to work because I've taken all of his vacation days this year and he has none left. He worries about me too while I'm here and he's not. Oh well, I rant too much these days in the hospital...I'm sorry! Like I said before, I'll just take it one step at a time...

I know all about the hardcore BARF fans. I've just seen too many problems from them. And a lot of times the problems stem from improper handling of the raw meat and dishes, etc. Did you know that in some veterinary hospitals (especially in Canada) dogs fed raw diets are quarantined when they come in and considered infectious because of the parasites they can potentially harbor and pass to other patients? Homemade diets certainly have their place, especially when a dog or cat has food allergies or certain medical conditions. We've worked with a holistic vet and used the Chinese temperature-based food charts to help develop diets for patients with cancer, liver failure, Cushings, autoimmune disorders, etc. But they really should be cooked and making sure it is a nutritionally complete diet is challenging. As for commercially prepared foods, it's kind of like with us. Read labels. Know what each ingredient actually is (for example, "meal" is not a bad thing) Use common sense. Find out what you can about the manufacturer - any recalls? where are they getting their raw ingredients? Did they conduct actual food trials in determining their AAFCO status? Do they have their own manufacturing plants or are they outsourcing to mass production factories? Recalls often happen not because that particular food is bad, but because it was processed in a plant that also makes another food that was recalled. There are just so many new, smaller, regional dog and cat food companies that offer a good product, that the search for the "perfect" one is certainly daunting. Nutrisource, Victor, Pioneer, Purevite, Go and Now are some of the ones available locally and we recommend to our clients. (But not all of these are organic and/or grain free)

No, I don't have a bug. I feel like that every day. I watched my friend wake up one morning, and she's the same way, but she has Lupus. I wonder if it's my autoimmune disease. I think my Vet needs to put me down.

I took them all into consideration because I have lupus and take a lot of meds too. I am not approved yet but feel I made the right decision because I need this weight off as soon as possible. I am in a lot of pain and it is hard for me to move around because I am so stiff. So the doc said this would be best and that we would just adjust all they meds. I am sorry I can't be more helpful about post-opp, but I am still waiting for my approval and haven't taken the post-opp class yet. You can finding lots of good info by reading posts from others though. Welcome, and it is good to have another person who understands the difficulty of having an autoimmune dissorder. By the way when was your surgery?

I also have fibro and some type of unknown autoimmune issues. I am on plaquenil and am dreading for them to tell me I have to stop it! I really hope they don't. I've read several articles on the web that say it isn't necessary to stop it. I hate to say it, but I may continue anyways. There is a gal on here that was able to continue hers and she was fine. I missed my fibro for a couple days once and oh how I hurt! Hope everything works out ok with you!

Sorry to take so long to respond. I haven't been on here in a while. My flare ups subsided after about a month or so. I still get the occasional flare up, the same as I did pre-surgery, but nothing like it was in those first few weeks. I did a bunch of research and I do believe it was just an autoimmune response to the trauma of the surgery.

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?

I was sleeved 6/26 and have mod-severe RA, hypothyroid, planters faciitis, metabolic syndrome and sleep apnea. I am "pre-diabetic" and my cholesterals jump around.....I gained 11 pounds Water weight in hospital, surgery weight was 322, when released on Friday it was 333, as of tonight (Tuesday) I weigh 314!! Lost the water weight plus 8 more pounds in 4 days! That is crazy! So far I have not taken my RA or thyroid medicine, and have no related pains yet. I have a call into my PCP to ask if I can crush my synthroid, since pharmacist said to check with her on that one...so far no answer....I was told to wait a few weeks before I continue my Enbrel injector Pen, until my incisions heal, and I may have to switch to injectable methotrexate at that time since I take 8 tablets at once. I am hoping and praying my RA might actually go into remission like others have....I have had daily pain from it for 4.5 years since it hit, a break would be nice, lol.......I only take my surgical pain med at bedtime now and feel pretty "normal" all day, whatever that really means, lol...I get to drive tomorrow!! Going to see a movie -No popcorn or soda though!! Prior to surgery, I took all of meds up to the day before except the Enbrel and methotrexate.....I stopped them one week prior per my surgeons directions. So I have not had my RA meds for 2 weeks, with no problems so far, knock on wood.... I only had to do the pre-op diet for 2 weeks, but I did it for 3 weeks to get used to it. I had 2 Protein shakes during the day and one nutritious meal in the evening. I gave up sofas and caffeine then too. Had to wean myself off caffeine over a 2 week period prior to starting my pre op diet though, a little at a time to avoid withdrawal and headaches. I did not have a weight loss (amount of pounds) requirement luckily. How is everyone else doing with your autoimmune diseases post surgery? Any issues pre-surgery? Things you have to change? Questions? :-)

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.

What, if any, additional supplements do you take for your autoimmune issues? As for an update, I'm still awaiting a surgery date. I finished all preop requirements last Thursday, and I'm waiting for the OK from Aetna. :/. I'm ready!!