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getting used to the gastric band
elcee replied to springtime2992's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
As far as I am aware having an autoimmune disease is one of the reasons given on the lapband site for a band not being recommended. When I have a chance I will try and find the info and post it. -
getting used to the gastric band
elcee replied to springtime2992's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I am quite surprised that they decided to band you. Having an autoimmune disease is supposed to be a contraindication for being banded. -
United Healthcare requirement
peacequeen replied to peacequeen's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Thanks for everyones response. Bamaxpress78, yes I have comorbs. I have an autoimmune disease called Myasthenia Gravis, it's in the muscular distrophy family..complicated. Anyway, I do have sleep apnea and use a bipap for my MG but it also helps for apnea. I am prediabetic (would be diabetic if i was still on steroids), anemic, osteoarthritis and malacia, hashimotos thyroiditis..so on and so on... I also have a level of anxiety and depression due to my list of health issues. I currently carry a bmi well over 40 but if UHC has that requirement to be morbid obese for 5 full years, I fail that, I was just severe obese before that...how dare me! ldydrgnkpr, I did call them and they told me I had to be over 21, have a bmi of 40 or above, a list of 5 years 40+ bmi. No diet to follow though. I guess what I'm wanting to know is how strict that 5 year bmi rule is,,has anyone been approved without meeting it? -
I am one of those people who has not had any success with the lapband. I know it is my fault because too many people lose. My question is how many lapbanders have come down with an autoimmune disease after the lapband implant? It wasn't six months after that I was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis. I am now on Embrel and Methotextrate injections every week. Doctors keep telling me NO NO NO this cannot cause thiese kinds of problems but it seems so wierd how right afterwards I started getting sick with this disease. Waiitng for replies. Cheryl
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Comparison between Bypass and VSG
Sotiredofit posted a topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Hello! Glad I found this website! As a newbie, I'm pretty convinced that VSG is the best choice for me, since I have an autoimmune disease and am prone to infections due to using Methotrexate to fight the disease (oh, what a conundrum that is). I looked at lap band and read about too many side effects to make that appealing at all. The bypass looks devastating in that there is no absorption and I can't figure out how "eating healthy" would benefit a person who cannot digest his/her food. So, I'm focused on the VSG and will be attending the orientation and consult tomorrow. After looking at the pictures, it appears that there is part of the stomach left and that absorbing healthy foods would benefit the body. I already take a zillion supplements, so that's not a problem for me, BUT I can't imagine how to take them when the stomach is so very small..............are liquid Vitamins more beneficial? I have removed so many things from my diet over the past few years, that I'm already there mentally, but now I'm wondering if a VSG patient can indulge in ice cream, Jell-O and such things that have sugar in them, but turn to liquids? Nuts are supposed to be very important in one's diet.............can a little bitty stomach take them or do they need to be ground into a powder? I'm sure I'll learn much more tomorrow, but I'm excited at the thought of leaving all the fad diets behind me and having a permanent solution: I just pray that it won't be something that makes me feel sick all the time. When does post-op end and "normal" begin? Looking like I'm pregnant after all my effort is so frustrating; especially since I work out 6 days a week, eat healthy and maintain portion control...........Sotiredofit! -
Rheumatoid Arthritis & Lap Band Surgery
kewlshort1 replied to hudson52's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I've got RA, Lupus and Fibromyalgia. My surgeon has said that it shouldn't be a problem, but that he'd want me to stop taking the NSAIDS. I'm okay with that, because of all the pills I take, I think those work the least. He also said that because of the autoimmune disorders, there is the potential for my body to react to the band itself, in which case they would have to remove it. Being that I have had 2 cesarean sections and never had a reaction to those surgeries, I'm not concerned. Losing the extra weight will immensely help my health conditions, so I was very happy to hear him say that it wasn't going to prevent me from surgery. -
Rheumatoid Arthritis & Lap Band Surgery
Mottsy replied to hudson52's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I too have RA and OA, recently had a partial hip replacement due to necrosis cause by long term steroid use for the autoimmune disorders. both my rheumatolgist and orthopedics doctors HIGHLY recommend the lap banding and are will to write letters to that effect if needed by the bariatric surgeon. I do understand that some bariatric surgeons do not want to do the lap banding with certain autoimmune disorders, have even had one deny me, but he never gave a rationale for not doing it. So i do not know what the problem is unless it is the slowed healing process related to medications, etc. but good luck with yours. I am still waiting on the 3 months supervised documentation by my primary care doc of my diet as required by medicare and then to see this surgeon. hoping it works out, -
I have Celiac Disease. For those of you who do not know what that is, here is a basic description: Celiac disease is an autoimmune digestive disease that damages the villi of the small intestine and interferes with absorption of nutrients from food. What does this mean? Essentially the body is attacking itself every time a person with celiac consumes gluten. So, eating gluten free is hard enough considering it's everywhere! But, trying to make good food choices while avoiding gluten is even more difficult. I eat a lot of lean meats which fill me up, but sometimes eating a simple piece of meat over and over becomes a bit, well, to be honest, nauseating. A piece of chicken breast, a broiled, ground turkey patty, sliced deli meats. We all know that what we decide to eat is a big deal because what we pick is pretty much going to be all we get in. So, if anyone out there who has had the sleeve also has Celiac Disease, let me know what your meals look like. There may be something in your meal plan that I'm not thinking of.
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any else out there with liver disease?
mamamckinzie replied to mamamckinzie's topic in Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story
PBC stands for Primary Biliary Cirrhosis...it is an autoimmune disease. What is yours? -
Autoimmune disease from gastric banding
roziecakes replied to Daemon's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I don't believe that the band would cause auto-immune disease, but as a sufferer of autoimmune Hashimoto's Thyroiditis and discoid lupus, I can tell you that flare-ups and problematic symptoms happen to me when I'm sick for another reason, or stressed out, and I believe that in some ways the band does stress our bodies at least a little; it's not the natural way for our bodies to be. I'm of course not against the band, since I have one myself, and I believe in my case the benefits far outweigh (pardon the pun) the risks. Perhaps your body is stressed out, and you are now experiencing symptoms of something you had all along? Also, more food for thought is that my doctor told me that although research hasn't really shown the causes of autoimmune problems, it does seem like there is a genetic link, so you basically have them your whole life; but for many, they don't experience symptoms until adulthood. Changes in hormone, lifestyle, weight, etc can make symptoms more apparent. I didn't have any symptoms of lupus until I was 26. -
Autoimmune disease from gastric banding
Msjtimmins replied to Daemon's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
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 have an autoimmune disease called Antiphospholipid Syndrome, also known as APS, that causes my blood to clot abnormally. I've been taking Lovenox injections 9 yrs. Does anyone know if that would be a problem for me being eligible for Lap Band?
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Should I start over?
peacequeen replied to peacequeen's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Actually the trauma from childhood was something different, my parents were killed several years ago while I was an adult..but that's beside the point..but just wanted to clear that up. Shirley, you made alot of sense and you're probably right. I just didn't feel like I should lie, it's not in my character. I did want to make sure I was making the right choices and answering all questions as honest as possible. I was under the impression they would help me through everything and that any tests wouldn't rule out surgery but help them to help me???? The psych knew most of my weight gain was because I quit smoking 8 years ago (35 pound gain) then I developed a rare autoimmune disease and was on steroid treatment for a long time and gained 70 more. So why he felt my past trajedies were related, I'm not sure. I do want to have the right mind set, therefore the therapy. I just still have issues with the fact that I haven't met my surgeon who should have already followed up with me about the procedure I had that will determine if I even get to have lapband or not and they won't return my calls. I think that's unprofessional and makes me wonder what my follow up care would be like. -
Hi all! Karen here from Pennsylvania. I had my lap band surgery last Dec. on the 16th after trying way too many costly weight loss options that never worked, including about $900 on hcg injections. I'm the only patient in my county who has Hashimoto's hypothyroid autoimmune condition so my doctor says I'm "special" because he's the only doctor who has a patient with this condition, so he gets to report back on my progress, which so far seems to be going really, really slow. I lost 15# in the first month and another 3# in the second month and nothing since, despite two fills, the second of which was just last month. The only difference I've notice is that I have to eat a lot slower, especially my scrambled eggs & cheese, so it takes me longer to eat. Since I have this autoimmune condition which is accompanied by a gluten intolerance, I rarely if ever eat any breads. My menu is so simple it's pathetic: gluten free Chex Cereal or eggs & cheese for Breakfast, brown rice & peas for lunch and again for dinner and an apple and yogurt with each meal. Evening snack, 1-2 bags of microwave popcorn. That's pretty much it. My doctor says that's fine as long as I take Vitamins. I just started my exercising again last week so I'm hopeful that adding an hour mixed cardio and stretching will help speed up the process but I'm not going to stress over it. I'm eating healthy and not overeating and I'm exercising, and right now I can't afford a third fill on the band so I'll just have to be happy with whatever my body decides to do, right? So anyway, glad to have found you all! I get busy with a couple of home businesses so I'm not sure how often I'll get here but keep up the great work everyone!
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Sigh...MONTHS of the back and forth...
ksmsusselman replied to OneYearLater's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
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! -
5 months out PICS PICS PICS
AutumnLily replied to FlyGirl's topic in Weight Loss Surgery Success Stories
I wish they had the delete option for those who made a post and want to remove it. For awhile you could hit edit and erase the info and put in "double post" but now the edit works weird too. You do not have access to the original post just that you can add onto the information. Flygirl congrats on the 70 lbs lost. Lucky they found your autoimmune disorder and now you are receiving treatment. -
Thank you, everyone, for your kind and honest replies. I know that I'm an emotionally strong person. I've gotten through so many things in life without help or medication. But food has definitely been my crutch, and I guess it's just hard to imagine being in a place where I really don't want to eat every 5 minutes. I have my first appt on Friday, and I plan to ask for the name of a counselor who specializes in weight loss issues. I'm definitely going to line up a good support network going into this. I'm one of those people who always has statistically improbable things happen. The list is long, but includes my daughter dying, my house being struck by lightening and burning to the ground, and me being diagnosed with an autoimmune disease so rare that it took 18 years and a team at Johns Hopkins to figure it out. Ok, I'm not throwing out a sob story here... just hoping you'll understand why it's hard to quiet the voice in my head that keeps pointing out all that can go wrong. Anyway, I'm so glad I found this website. I'm sure we'll get to know each other over the next year or so,and I'll try not to be too neurotic! Thanks again. PS: Thanks for the suggestion about the knee injections, Virginia. I did ask my doc about them but he said there's no room between my bones and they (injections) would be useless. Cortisone has helped a bit.
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5 months out PICS PICS PICS
FlyGirl replied to FlyGirl's topic in Weight Loss Surgery Success Stories
I found out from the test of the pancreatitus that it caused by my bad gullbladder, I have a "low functiouning" Gallbladder and it's full of stones from the rapid weight loss.. I really wish he would have taken out when I got the sleeve, My autoimmune disorder is just genetic and that along with the pancraititus is was cause the 3 clots I feel SO much better, healthier, more energy. I smile more! I'm not the fattest person in the room YAY! I'm looking forward to the next few months I hope to meet goal by my 1 year anniversay I had the sleeve done at Miami Valley Hopsital in Dayton, OH - Premeier Metabolic- DR. Teel. Most wonderful doctor! I trust him enought that I feel fine with my mom getting it done by him. She is just starting her process now. -
I used Dr. Garth Davis for my band and removal. When I was looking around for another doctor to revise me to a Sleeve I went to several different seminars. With Dr. Eric Wilson I did not think he was listening to me and my medical problems (6-8 different autoimmune disease), it was like I was a walking bank to help pay for the vacation he was planning. With Dr. Marvin- he listen to me about my medical problems, he really cares about his clients. I also like that he was a trauma surgeon who could also do the critical care if needed. I know when I was re-admitted to the hospital 11 post op due to a temp of 101.6 with a possible leak or an infection I received the best care. Just an FYI- when Dr. Davis removed my band in 12/09 he left part of the band tubing behind. I wondered why I was still having some of the problems after the band was removed- found out when I got Sleeved.
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Rheumatoid Arthritis & Lap Band Surgery
swtlee replied to hudson52's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I too have rheumatoid arthritis and was concerned that would mean I couldn't have the lap band. Since RA is an autoimmune disorder and not like regular arthritis, it's important to talk with your doctor since some autoimmune issues can disqualify you for the surgery. My doctor said that it shouldn't be a problem for me though. I am worried though about after the surgery because the autoimmune issues make me heal slower and leave me with so much extra pain from any minor trauma to the body. Doctors like to tell you to expect "soreness" but that can be anything from feeling like you worked out really hard to laying on the couch crying in pain. I just wish I had a better idea of the pain I can expect. -
I spoke with the bariatric center and apparently, due to health problems, my surgeon will probably decide which one will work best for me then I'll have to make the final decision if I am ok with it or not. Guess I'll continue to research both, just in case I only have one choice. I hate that I can't just pick which one I want! I have myasthenia gravis (a form of muscular dystrophy.. a rare autoimmune disease that causes chronic muscle weakness). One of the symptoms I suffer from is difficulty swallowing. If I fail the test they will perform, I'll probably have to go with the sleeve. I also have a large list of weird and common medical problems that can effect either procedure and how it works so I have alot of homework and a ton of tests to go through. Unfortunately, this is going to take a while. Thank you all so much for your feedback! I really appreciate it.
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I have a friend who has sparked my interest about lap band. Upon doing some investigation on my own, I discovered that Lap Band is not recommended for those with autoimmune disorders such as MS. Is there anyone out there that has MS and has had the procedure done?
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Newbie finding out I am insulin resistant
peacequeen replied to DetroitJenny9701's topic in Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story
I took metformin for steroid induced diabetes..was on prednisone for an autoimmune condition. Metformin didn't help me much and certainly didn't help me lose weight. I think prediabetes is one of the co morbidities included to get approval for lapband so I would think surgery would only help you. -
What kind of eater am I?
peacequeen replied to peacequeen's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Thank you all for the honest replies. 7 years ago I had gotten myself down to a very healthy person. Running and excercising were part of my everyday life. I wasn't on a diet but I watched what I ate. I was 157 pounds wearing size 10/12. It seems like a lifetime and over 100 pounds ago. I think that makes me feel like I have failed and what if I fail again? I have alot going on in my life which could be some of the cause for me sounding like an out of control and desperate person. Reaching my mid 40's has brought up some things from my past and my childhood that I'm having a hard time coping with and it couldn't have come at a worse time because it is impacting everything. I lost my parents in an auto accident in '99, I have a child with special needs. I am disabled now due to an autoimmune condition along with some other health issues. My husband went to 3rd shift to help me when I got sick. He's stuck there for a while so I rarely see him and I'm lonely alot. My oldest son is going off to college in the fall and though I am so proud of his achievements, I'm already mourning his absence. I am currently seeing a therapist, hoping he can help me with some of my emotional problems. I do want to go into this with the mindset I should have. I've been educating myself for months here at this site and other sites, I've talked to people who have had the procedure and I have attended the seminar. I've watched videos of the actual procedure. I seem to get really excited about the life change I will have. I know the sacrifices to be made with the band and the outcome it can bring. I just don't want to be a failure again. -
ALLERY- HAS ANYONE BEEN ALLERGIC TO band
BirdGirlEm replied to peaches9's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I think that the silicone in the band is considered inert, but some people can get autoimmune reactions to having any kind of implanted device in their body. I had a full allergy workup with the allergist (they did antibody testing to see what I was allergic to). But it wasn't until I had patch testing at the dermatologist's office that I learned I had a chemical allergy. I am allergic to propylene glycol, which is in darn near everything. I too had to switch out all of household, and beauty products. I am currently using Burt's Bees and love it! Sorry about the rambling, my point was that you may want to see your dermatologist and have some testing. It was easy, totally painless, and wasn't terribly expensive. Totally worth it! My eczema has finally disappeared after FIVE years!
