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One of the main reasons I've had problems losing weight in the past is due to a Hypo-active thyroid. I wonder if anyone else here has a thyroid problem and is finding success with the lap band. So far, I'm doing very well..... and I'm praying and hoping I don't hit that hypo-thyroid wall and my weight loss stalls. If this doesn't work... I'll be pretty upset. Please let me know if you can relate!!!

Natalie - A PB is the result of the stoma or the entrance to the stoma getting clogged so that the pouch above the band does not empty. Stoma=the passage way between the pouch and your lower stomach. When something gets lodged in the stoma, or blocks the entrance to the stoma, food, Water and saliva start backing up in the pouch. If the obstruction doesn't get moved, eventually all the stuff you swallowed backs up into your esophogus and then your body reactively throws it back up. Usually the quick return of your pouch contents is considered a PB. Heaving repeatedly is considered more as vomiting, but in actuality both are technically vomiting. Chewing well and eating slowly helps eliminate the risk of blocking the stoma, but certain foods can recombine in your pouch and effectively make a thick paste/glue which doesn't easily pass through the stoma. Those types of foods are generally breads, rice, potatos and Pasta. Hope this helps...

Thanks! I already eat full fat but with the surgery I think I absorb only 20-50% of it. Same with protein. The only thing I absorb at 100% is sugar but that's what gives me the reactive hypoglycemia!

It's also the same thing as Reactive Hypoglycemia, per my doctor. I don't experience the runs at all, ever. http://diabetes.about.com/od/whatisdiabetes/qt/reacthypoglycem.htm http://www.reactivehypoglycemia.info/2009/05/the-reactive-hypoglycemia-diet/ Read up, learn it, live it. Having it kept under control makes a huge difference. It sucks, but it is what it is.

We had one individual in our support group that developed reactive hypoglycemia after gastric bypass surgery. He even fainted. As a result he looked into the condition and found that he could easily control it with his eating habits and by being sensing the pretriggers to the condition. So it did not really bother him except for the first time it happened. The figure you cited "happening to 1/3 of bypass patients" seems overly high. I would not give it much weight. But since you experienced this condition before, it might be more of a concern in your individual case. It is your decision, but if it were me I would eliminate the Gerd by gastric bypass and be hyper-vigilent about monitoring the potential for reactive hypoglycemia and using dietary means to control it should it arise.

So I was reading an post yesterday and now I am having serious second thoughts. I may not even show up tomorrow to surgery. The post was about Reactive Hypoglycemia, a side effect to bypass that can develop 2 the 10 years post bypass. In the post, the patient had symptoms 1 to 2 times a year at first and now is having them 2 to 5 times a week. Patient occasionally passes out because of it. When I had my sleeve six years ago I had experienced those symptoms and I just thought it was because I forgot to eat. It was a weird feeling of dizziness, confusion, and I was with a client at the time and I nearly passed out. It scared the crap out of me. I started doing research online and discovered an article from 2017 that identified that this is happening to 1/3 of bypass patients and is not something that is discussed typically with there doctor. Reactive hypoglycemia may be related to dumping syndrome but can be far more dangerous. In extreme cases the bypass needs to be reversed to fix the problem which brings me to my fear. In my case they will not be able to reverse my bypass after I have it as they are removing the stomach because the polyps I developed taking PPIs for Gerd. So now my challenges is do I live with Gerd and run the risk of getting Barrett’s syndrome and Possible esophageal cancer or do I have a bypass and run the risk of getting reactive hyperglycemia ? Thoughts anyone?

First and foremost you have to treat your lows being a T1! ((hugs)) I'm sure you know just how much you have to eat to bring your sugars up x amount? I have reactive hypo and wake with lows in the mid-30s to mid-40s. I now have a rescue packet beside my bed that includes: blood sugar meter glucose chewable tablets glucose gummies 6oz orange juice nut butter nuts I always follow what ever glucose I need with the nuts or nut butter once my bg starts to rise (after about 30minutes of the glucose dose). That way my spike is minimized to bringing glucose back into the 80s. I find that 1-2 wafers or 2-3 gummies will get it done. That way I minimize damage. Can you rig something like that up for the future? I wouldn't worry about what you've had to do to keep out of hypo-land. You're doing your very best and I am betting that you will be in good shape when you hit the OR. Just keep following the plan. I know it's scary dealing with all of this and I hope you see an improvement in your T1 with the surgery!!

I'm 54 and have a hypo-thyroid. The band has given me hope to finally loss weight!!! And..... it seems to be working!!! I'm walking 3 -4 times a week; eat 800 - 1200 calories per day. I'm feeling great... but still have a long way to goo. Never tooo old to get healthy and fit. I was banded in December . I found that I wasn't losing for almost a month and finally got my first fill yesterday. (for some reason, my insurance is pretty strict about the timing of fills in order to get it covered) My Doc tells me that I've only just begun by journey and that once I hit the "sweet" spot with the perfect amount of fill, I'll surely be successful!

I have had an endoscopy, upper GI, and cat scan of the abdomen/pelvis. Except for the cat scan showing an enlarged ovary and a cyst on my other ovary, these tests were normal. I am waiting now to have an ultrasound to get more info about my ovary abnormalities. I am anemic, probably from the heavy periods I've had the last year. I'm on iron supplements now. Also, my c-reactive protein was high. My RA factor was within normal range. I'm going to ask for an ESR lab and a CA-125. It's very frustrating.

@@WLSResources/ClothingExch Because after radioactive treatment my thyroid got destroyed and stopped functioning. I had RAI early August 2015, and by December 2015 I was Hypo thyroid, at TSH 17.3 (when I was Hyper, TSH was less than 0.01) Hence my now life-time thyroid hormone replacement. At surgery, my TSH was 1-1.5, few weeks later it went to 0.6 and I started feeling unwell again. Since the past 3 months, TSH has been less than 0.01 again, due to continuing weight loss. So I am back to Hyper thyroid symptoms, not all of them, but few troublesome ones. Hence dosage adjustments, but they take weeks to work. I nursed before, so I know a fair bit about different meds, and so I tried my anti-thyroid drugs again, and they certainly helped me, at least to sleep! Anyway, hopefully my Thyroxine will be lowered again. The Thyroxine/Synthroid is very weight sensitive, and I feel I now should be on 75 mcg. I'll find out on Thursday when I see my Endo again. Without the thyroid hormone replacement, we can't survive. So, either Hyper of Hypo thyroid can be life threatening. At least with Hypo, you only take 1 tablet a day. When I was very Hyper, I was taking up to 18 tablets a day! Carbimazole (anti-thyroid) plus Beta Blockers for my heart. It was just too much, so I decided to go with the radioactive Tx, then 1 tablet a day. One day, when my weight stabilises, so will my Thyroxine dose. And I finally should feel well/normal again. If not for my thyroid issues, my WLS recovery would have been easy and smooth ......

I've finally decided to write down how I feel, and it was NOT a fun time.. I'm 8 days post op down 13 ish lbs, and overall doing pretty good, but my mind is being torn into places I have never imagined. I've spent basically 1/3 of my life being obese, since I was maybe 13-14, and I TRULY HONESTLY don't know how I got here. I know some people say that to cover up a habit or an obsession but I swear to all that is holy I do not remember how this STARTED. I remember being "normal" at 13 and then I remember being "big boned" at 15 and I remember being 225-250lbs at 16. I hit puberty VERY early, between 9 and 10, and shortly after I developed huge boobs. Sorry to be blunt but I was 10 with a B cup and they've never stopped growing. Aside from the busty chest I wasn't big anywhere else. My family didn't have money to eat out, it would almost only be on special occasion. My mom would work nights as a cook (a damn good one) and my dad would work until 5 or 6 as a well driller, so when my mom left at 3 she would either have supper started or to the point where it just had to be put in the oven. And when I say she was a good cook I mean the kind that could make you cry. She ALWAYS had balanced meals, fruit, veggie, meat. A few typical meals would be spaghetti, green Beans, and watermelon. Or roast, potatoes, carrots. Or steaks(we are huge grillers), baked potatoes and asparagus. We weren't picky kids, aside from not liking onions or spicy food or little preferences like that. My mom is tiny, she's 52 and a size 7. She wears bikinis and looks smoking hot. No cellulite no stretch marks, she's gorgeous. My dad is the picture of health, aside from genetic thyroid problems and some hearing loss. He's maybe 180lbs and ripped. My sister was borderline anorexic through high school maybe tipping the scale at 150 when she was pregnant. And my brother got chubby about the same time that I did, but has since lost all extra weight (due to drug issues) and is "normal". We didn't have much money for Snacks in our house either, fruit was always accessible and vegetables were usually grown fresh so we had plenty. Every once in a while there were potato chips or pop tarts or Cereal but these things were eaten for Breakfast and only breakfast. It's just what you did. When wed get home from school we'd have a snack, an apple, a fruit snack, a bowl of chips, something. But never to the amount of excess because it just wasn't allowed. We regularly had pop available to us but my mom would only buy 2 liters so we had enough for maybe a glass a day for 3 days and then it was gone for a few weeks. School lunches I ate what was given and never took seconds (couldn't afford it), which were the basic meat veggie fruit bun milk lunches. Anyway, my story could go on forever but the point of me telling you this is because I just don't UNDERSTAND how I got this way, when MILLIONS of children had my exact upbringing and are of "normal" size. I had the sleeve surgery to help with weight loss. I had lost weight on my own before, but never enough to make a difference, to make me healthier, to get pregnant. So I got the sleeve as a TOOL to help me relearn to eat. I am 100% positive that once I get to a manageable weight I could get rid of the sleeve (impossible I know) and be a-ok for the rest of my life and stay on track with a healthy lifestyle. I have developed a hypo thyroid due to genetics, as well as PCOS, and high blood pressure, no doubt due to my weight. So for me, losing weight isn't as easy as those without the thyroid issue. No I am not blaming my thyroid but it is a big part of the problem!!! Since having the surgery I lay awake for 40-48 hours at a time and search (this forum) for foods like French fries, starburst, ice cream, and I try to reason and investigate why I got to where I am. I am completely closed off with the world. My husband has only known me as obese, my family is just as confused as I am as to why I got this big, and my friends love me no matter what but of course they're all stick thin so I don't bother venting to them. I am made sick at night thinking about WHY I had to resort to the sleeve. As happy as I am, WHY was this my only option? WHY couldn't I lose weight like others? WHY did I have such extreme options when it came to getting healthier. I need a friend. I need someone who can help me come to grips with WHY this decision HAD to be made (and I do believe that it HAD to be made). This is my last resort. I support the sleeve and I believe in it but how do I go on living my life with half a stomach and continue to have confidence in myself when I couldn't even lose weight by myself? I had to cut myself to pieces because I COULDN'T DO IT. Sorry for the long rant, hopefully someone will read this ridiculously long post and feel the same way I do. And maybe offer some support. SW: 324 DOSW: 322 CW: 311 surgery date-7/10/13 Sent from my iPhone using VST

Hi Lisa, I started first seeing the surgeon in May and had surgery in September. I had to have 4 meetings with my PCP for weight management, 1 meeting with a psychiatrist, 4 meetings with nutritionist, loose 10% of my weight before surgery, a sleep study, stress test, EEG (in your case it would probably be an EKG), a throat scope and 1 bariatric meeting. I had bypass surgery and am very pleased with the results of that surgery. You ask about draw backs and the only one I have had is a developed reactive hypoglycemia which 1% to 2% get it and of course I had to be one of them. It's manageable with my what I eat. That's the only thing I can say was a draw back and if I had to choose again I would do it even knowing this could happen. Good luck with your decision and being a healthier you.

I thought I was dealing with reactive hypoglycemia and so did my surgeon's NP. However, my rockstar dietitian took a chunk of time with me to really tease things apart. She wasn't 100% convinced it was hypoglycemia and agreed with my purchase of a cheap glucose meter. Her guess was that it was dumping syndrome, but delayed because I was going to bed after eating the triggering food and waking up due to the symptoms. 2 nights ago I purposefully ate a triggering food without eating any protein. Sure enough I woke up drenched in sweat and feeling horrible.... blood sugar was 100 so not hypoglycemia. So yeah, dumping syndrome.... Then last night I wasn't thinking and ate some high fat and high carb food right before I headed into work and oh my...... Work was difficult last night and had to sit down quite a bit (I do after hours janitorial work). I'm thinking the symptoms I thought was hypoglycemia is really due to low blood pressure. The pain of the muscle cramps is very real and wore me out. It's 12 hours later and I'm still sore. I really need to change my diet, AGAIN. uggggg..... On a much more positive note, the reason I had the revision has been fully resolved, no more dangerous reflux and no more esophageal spasms due to the reflux. The reflux was so bad it was starting to create pre-cancerous changes in my esophagus. I'll be having another endoscopy in a month or two to confirm how much healing has taken place. My team and I are absolutely thrilled with the additional 30 pounds of weight loss. If I loose more, great, but I'm 100% happy with where I'm at right now. I'm probably the healthiest I've been in my whole life. It's been close to 30 years since I've been in the low 160s (and I'm only 44). I'm comfortably in size 8 pants and M shirts, my dream sizes when I started this whole journey 8+ years ago.

Sounds like a reasonable explanation for them to me. You need to realize at least for awhile if she sees you eat at all she will be asking questions, because your eating WILL change. You will be restricted to liquids, then to mushies for several weeks following. Then it will be a matter of trial and error. Keep this in mind if you are going to be in their company for say Easter Dinner.... Once you have healed, and begin fills, you will go back to liquids following the fill for a day to 3 days depending on your Dr. And you will have to carefully and cautiously add foods to your diet, seeing how each reacts. It is not a hard thing to do for me, but I think keeping it from my family (which I understand WHY you are doing) would have made it really difficult. Now when we go out with family or friends (mine ALL know!) I order a meal with the rest of the group, and I eat, I just eat much slower. Actually sitting my fork down and waiting between bites. In the end I am full about the same time they are, but I have over 3/4 of my meal left to take home. This could raise some eyebrows if no one knows. So it might be time now to start talking about the new diet you are going to start---be proactive at reducing their comments as opposed to being reactive when it is happening. Something about the hormone fluctuation, the anesthtic, something(!) makes many people emotional following the surgery...and you don't need to be caught off guard trying to cover your tracks--and getting upset by it. Start taking walks with the kids, and if you are around them now, don't eat---make your excuses NOW!!! Then feign whatever female issue you have in mind (my sister in law explained her band as a D&C), and use it to maybe help your diet along.... If they see you start the changes now---the exercise, the eating changes, they won't try to connect them to the sudden female surgery. I feel like I should be singing "I've got a secret!!!" Kat

I don't dump either. I do have a reactive hypoglycemic though, which makes my blood sugar spike than crash....so, I try to be very careful with sugars. I passed out once from low blood sugar since my surgery, and I really don't want that to happen again. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Hello. You have to have a referral from your pcp. I have been trying to loose weight for 7 years. But my diabetes and hypo thyroid has gotten in the way. Plus I also have high cholesterol. I had to show proof that I was under a doctor care for six months and going to a gym and signed off by doctor. My process has moved pretty fast. I have stay well. Who do you have for your insurance?

It looks like us Hypo's lose weight at a slower rate then normal. This is good to know so that I don't get frustrated. Thanks, you all have been a big help.

sometimes you just need to say, "thank you for your concern," smile and walk away. i have had 2 homebirths. when the pre op nurse was taking my history for surgery, she freaked out about it. she started shrieking and telling me i was "crazy" and "reckless." i was shocked a healthcare provider would act like this period, but i just smiled and asked her calmly if she needed any other info about my perfect, gentle, empowered births. and then i smiled, she got the message and stopped ranting and moved on. sometimes you just need to give people a few moments to compose themselves with silence, calm, smiles, or other non reactive responses. if you join with them in their reactions or intensity, you have lost control of the situation. i actually like this NP. she was the most helpful to me post op. she made a mistake, had an unprofessional reaction and needed time to get it together. just remain calm, smile, dont explain, and remember that everyone has their biases, and their inappropriate reactions. step back and give them the space to be who they are without feeling hurt by *their* issues.

Thanks so much. I do plan to do exactly what the Dr tells me to do. I really need to do this. I was scheduled to do surgery in 2008 and at the last minute my thyroid test came back Hyperthyroid. I had been having issues with my heart rate and BP going up but not much weight loss. The Drs couldn't believe I had Hyper thyroidism (Graves Disease) and not hypo since I was a big girl. I had to have it ablated with radiation and now I'm on meds the rest of my life for HYPO thyroidism. After having it ablated, I gained another 50 pounds. I'm devastated by the weight gain and I just can't lose on my own. This really is my last option. I keep praying for GOD's guidance and I have to have faith that whatever happens God is in control. Thank you for your comments. It helps alot.

Hi everyone and Sombra1718. I was banded last Friday and YES; my throat hurts!! I have asthma and reactive lung disease so my oxygen levels really desaturated during surgery. sugar free Popsicles and pain meds have helped. I'm now alternating OTC meds with the narcotics. Sorry to ask such a personal question but have you guys had a bowel movement yet? With only liquids for a week, I'm not sure what to expect. Also, I started the Calcium chews and those are a huge treat! Yesterday was the first day I started to feel hungry. The full liquids and high Protein have satiated my appetite. Each day is better and better!!

wondering if anyone has any insight into this post WLS? i get so sore several days after i exercise... 2, 3, sometimes even 4 days later... it's really making me miserable and curtailing my desire to workout. i have just pushed thought the soreness and gone and worked out again, but then i am doubly miserable later on. i have talked to my chiro, a good friend who a very experienced trainer and done research online, but i have not found any revelations about why this might be... i eat my Protein, drink my Water, take extra magnesium and glutamine... i warm up, stretch, follow all the suggestions. there have been some concerns in the past i might have fibromyalgia, but my "C reactive protein" markers in my blood were back down to normal before the surgery... maybe i need to have another blood test? anyone know anything about this being specific to WLS? or maybe this is just me and not connected at all.

This link helps to describe the condition. https://www.ridgeviewmedical.org/services/bariatric-weight-loss/enewsletter-articles/reactive-hypoglycemia-postgastric-bypass

Hi Hefftynetty, Welcome! Sorry I can't answer the first question, that would be one for the surgeon. But as far as Synthroid goes, that's not a problem. The only issue would be if you had uncontrolled hypo- or hyperthyroid function, but if you're well controlled on meds that's no worry. Good luck and keep asking questions!!

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?

:crying: Hi, I have the same concern. People do have allergic reactions to nearly anything foreign put into their bodies as their immune system recognizes it as non self. These reactions can take several forms however an autoimmune reaction entailing stiff joints in the fingers similar to arthritis was experienced by myself from the "inert" mesh (made by the manufacurers of gortex) for a hernia repair. This and a low grade fever and the fact that the mesh never bonded to the repair and I ended up oozing out serous Fluid led my surgeon to remove it. Silicone has been the subject of much autoimmune scrutiny with auto immune reactions from breast implants etc. So I say buyer beware. Don't let anyone tell you silicone or mesh is non reactive. We are reactive. I am a nursing student also.