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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!!

I have Psoriatic Arthritis and psoriasis. I am on a horse-sized dose of Remicaid, and voltaren daily. I am on the OR table tomorrow for the sleeve. I will certainly know more about this soon. I have high hopes because the autoimmune disorder is killing me. Constant discomfort and very often pain. I know that weight and diet won't fix this alone, but I am hoping that a major reduction in weight will be helpful. The only thing I am nervous about is how, if at all, the medicine will impact my healing and how my body will react to it once I re-start it after surgery.

Hi I weigh 215 and I'm 5'6" the people who know about my surgery think I'm kinda crazy for doing something so drastic. I am having it tomorrow because I want to feel like myself again. I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease and put on lots of meds including prednisone and I went from 165-215. I have tried and failed to lose the weight and I hate how I look. I think having the surgery is an individual decision. If you will feel better, then go for it. I have yet to read that anyone has regretted it! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Originally banded (2008), not successful. However, apart from getting stuck and vomiting a lot, no problems with the band itself - no erosion or slippage. Sleeved in January 2015. VERY happy so far (was NEVER happy with band, not even in the beginning). Wish I'd been able to get the sleeve in the first place. As an aside, a bariatric surgeon - not mine - confided to me that she has seen a number of autoimmune problems in people who have been banded.

I woul see an autoimmune specialist doctor. If not RA there are a lot of other similiar autoimmune diseases that have similair symptoms. I have several autoimmune diseases and could not be diagnosed until I saw a specialist. I hope they find out what it is quickly for you! I just had the band a week and a half ago, and it did aggravate my symptoms, but with you being 2 years out, I would guess it is probably not related. Good luck! God Bless!

I found out 7 months ago I had APS. It is an autoimmune disorder. I DO NOT HAVE LUPUS. Does anyone know if I can be "banded"? Thanks.:thumbup:

Hi This is only my 2nd post. Again I so appreciate the wealth of info on this site. I too have RA & fibro both autoimmune diseases. My Rheum didn't have any concerns re: the surgery. Also at my initial consult I gave them a full medical history & no one mentioned that it would be an issue. I am in the early stages of the process, no surgery date yet. I meet with the nutritionist & psychologist next week. It started giving me 2nd thoughts about how well I will heal and also my body's reaction to the foreign body. So I will definitely discuss this more with the surgeons. I have gotten PM from someone who had surgery where I am going & he had a horrible experience & had his band removed. Although I appreciate hearing the good & bad I was taken back since he was so adamant against it. I know his threads haven't always been popular in looking back at his threads. I am scared being obese but I definitely want all the information to make informed decision re: lap band surgery. Jazz:confused:

Hello! I am a pre op patient. My doctor has recommended I have he sleeve procedure because of medications I am taking now. I have an autoimmune condition. I know the malabsorption isn’t as bad with VSG as it is with RNY. I am terrified that all my other meds will stop working after the surgery- specifically antidepressants, etc. Does anyone have experience with this? Unfortunately I called the doc office and the nurse didn’t really give me any info. Thanks !

I agree 100% and seriously meant NOTHING judgmental or harsh by my statements. I honestly thought I would be on opioids for the rest of my life as I could barely function but for now, I'm off them. As my autoimmune disease progresses I might have to go back on opioids. Hopefully, by then I'll be able to use medicinal marijuana. For now, my career goals don't allow it. I'm glad they offer you some relief.

I'm curious what they have told you to make you believe weight loss surgery will cure an autoimmune disease. There are no known cure for auto immune diseases, only treatments. I was diagnosed with Hashi's when I was 12 and have constantly had to up my dosage of meds my whole life. I have been able to slightly lower my dose from losing some weight and hope to get to lower it more (lost 80+, 80+ to go) but that is due to having less body for the hormone to have to run through not because my condition improves.

In my case it's very likely lyme disease. I had it in 1986 and was pretty sick but because I lived in N Ca it went undiagnosed for several months before I saw the small bullseye rash on my back right under my bra line. The treatment took almost 3 months. Back then they didn't do post TX titre (maybe there wasn't even a test for limes). My GP increased the prednisone to 100mg a day for ten days and if the titre comes back positive he will send me to an infectious diseases specialist because of autoimmunity issue and the blood count I had house "sticky" platelets which I have because I had malaria when I was in my 20s's so with the I increased stickiness he suspects something is brewing. Crap. There is no connection between the WLS or the cervical spine injections I just had.

I never ever have mine because I take my BC back to back with no gaps. Was sleeved on the 23rd and it sort of started on the 22nd and definitely did the night after surgery. I still have it and I'm taking my pills. I also have tons of mouth ulcers related to my autoimmune disease. I think my body is just totally thrown off and pissed at me.

Hi there! I just created an autoimmune support group for us! Please follow and post there. I keep losing this thread because it's not in a forum. I sure hope to see all of us there. Here's the link http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/groups/show/269-autoimmune-sleevers/

Wondering if any of you have autoimmune hepatitis and have been banded? Was on the phone with Bariatric nurse and when I mentioned I have autoimmune hepatitis she indicated I may not be a candidate for the band. That my body may reject it or I'd have a greater risk of infections. I've had HBP and high cholesterol for years but the autoimmune disease for only about 3 years. It has been under control for over 2 years and I take a very mild dose of immune suppressent. My liver doctor indicated I need to be very careful not to develop diabetes and a large weight loss would help to prevent that. I mentioned the band and he was for it, said he'd not seen many complications from bands at all. Told him I'd been trying to figure out how to pay for one since I'm self pay, But I didn't specifically ask him if I'd be a candidate for it with my autoimmune disease. I feel like I've had the rug pulled out from under me.:smile2: I had made up my mind that I had to have this tool to get control of my weight problem to be healthier and be here for my young children. I had even figured out a way to pay for the surgery and now I'm scared it might not even be an option...:tt2::sad::crying:

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.

I thought I would share more about my Brachioplasty. I know that I scoured these forums and reddit trying to get info and advice before hand, so it only seemed fair to share my story too. I had the surgery a few days ago. Despite concerns around scarring, nerve damage and the surgery triggering an autoimmune response (I dealt with a ton of horrible illnesses after my VSG), I decided to go through with it. My first consultation was July 7th and I had the surgery on the 23rd of July when a slot became available (probably due to a cancellation from the pandemic). I felt like the universe was giving me a nudge and I had to take it!! While I'm only a few days post op, I'm so thankful that it went well. Minimal pain (particularly compared to my VSG). I was so relieved that I could still move my arms a bit, I was concerned I wouldn't even be able to feed myself! I can't lift anything heavy, but I could drink from a glass of water after the surgery. I actually ended up staying the night in hospital. I could have gone home, but the general made me pretty groggy so the nurse suggested I stay. My family was quite relieved as my VSG was quite tough on my body - my blood pressure wouldn't go down and then my body freaked out with a range of autoimmune disorders from the shock a week or two later. While the drains are pretty gross, it's manageable. I've been able to sleep really well in my bed (I read about people having to sleep upright in a chair but I didn't have to do this). There also hasn't been any horror movie style blood on my sheets (OK, a few small spots through my PJs). My hands are a bit less swollen today so that's exciting. It really feels like I'm already on the mend and it's only been a few days. I'm looking forward to getting the drains out in the next few days. I can't wait to walk the dogs again. I know that I've got a lot of work ahead in terms of scar management, but I'm hopeful that they won't be so noticeable with time. I've been so busy the last few years, that it's felt weird to just lie in bed and watch Netflix. Even with the quarantine, I was working crazy hours from home. Never just relaxing. Then I started a series of projects at home. I went through my closet, organised the pantry, took longer walks, did craft, cooked and baked etc, helped a friend with her studies, etc. There's always somewhere to be, something to do. After a few days, I'm starting to enjoy this forced rest and relaxation. I don't need to be busy all the time, I can be still. I'm so thankful that I found a surgeon and anaesthetist who took such great care of me. Even though, I have (diagnosed) anxiety, I was able to get through it all because they kindly answered all my questions. My key learnings from surgery: Keep the old button up PJs and zip up hoodies when they get too big for you as you lose weight. They might come in handy for plastics - they're easy to put on and fit loosely around drains and swelling. Have a surgery plan (people to take you to hospital, meals in the freezer, someone to care for pets, children, plants). Have lozenges on hand (my throat still hurts from the surgery), lip balm, a good book, pack light for the hospital (someone else will have to carry your bag). Find the right surgeon, go to multiple consultations. Make a list of questions. Call them up with more questions. Keep up hydration and walking after surgery. Hope everyone is doing well at the moment! Much love to my bariatric pals. Other than some of my family, I don't share that I had the sleeve and plastics. Sometimes I feel really weird about my "secret life" that I keep from everyone, but that's what makes me comfortable. Here with you wonderful people, I feel less lonely. I'm one of the many vets who dropped off a bit. You start living life and it gets busy! However, right at the time in my life, I'm happy to be in this community with such supportive, lovely ladies (some of the guys here are OK too). Anyway, wow - that felt like an essay. Whew! Some pics below in case anyone is interested.

Hello all... I know this is a super old post, but any updates on how you all are doing with an autoimmune disease and being sleeved??

You are right, ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate) and CRP (C-Reactive Protein) are VERY non-specific tests. Basically, they determine whether there is inflammation anywhere...hs-CRP is also a very non-specific indicator of possible CE's, but it's not used much because of the lack of reliability. Oh, and some forms of birth control can actually make a CRP positive, IIRC. The chance of you having cancer, something autoimmune or something major like that is very low, but I don't have your family history in front of me, so I can't tell you for sure. Would some inflammation around the area of your band cause that? I suppose it's conceivable, but I'm not 100%. I'm hoping the best for you, though! Keep us updated! Do you have the exact figures from your test, by the way?

It's funny. I teach online, but I wouldn't describe myself as an online/social media enthusiast. I feel like I need to become one insofar as I need to be part of a community. I also have a genetic autoimmune disease, AS, and would love to connect with others with chronic diseases/pain. I have an excellent psychologist. I guess I forgot that important detail. She's especially helpful in pointing out my husband's control issues and showing me how to retain my autonomy and freedom (and joy!) in the midst of them. I see her weekly, but most recently, she's given me the gentle push to branch out and meet people. I'm so used to hiding--mainly due to my weight--so this step will be important for me. Congrats on being 19 months post op! Can't wait to be there. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I have an autoimmune disease (psoriatic arthritis, little psoriasis but severe arthritis) and was sleeved five weeks ago. I don't want to give you or anyone else false hope, but the surgery has put my condition into remission. No-one can understand why, not even my rheumy. I was on two immune suppressant treatments just to keep everything at bay - methotrexate (chemo drug) for last 7 years (max dose for last two years) and had been in discussion about cutting back - I stopped it 7 weeks ago and currently don't need it. Also inject a biological therapy once a week. Rheumy restarted it 3 weeks post surgery to stay ahead of my immune system starting to attack my joints again and, touch wood, all is going well. So down to one jab a week and my life has been transformed. I know it may return with a vengeance so am taking things week by week. Bariatric centre and rheumy watching with interest. Good luck with your surgery, I wish you the very best and a good outcome for you!