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I am new and would like to comment on this thread as maybe my first. I have been a diabetic for 31 years. I attended in 31 years over 150 classes and seminars on diabetes. I have done thousands of hours of research on my disease. I have been involved with the ADA for 20 plus years. I am involved to the highest level with my disease. I keep up on R and D on my disease and the lastest and greatest research, including stem cell, pancrease transplant, pumps, and outside pancreae variations. This just a bit of my knowledge on my disease. I am a type 1 insulin dependent juveniile diabetic. The reason it is primarally called juvenille is because this is the time that this autoimmune disease is triggered...during the baby, child or young child age. I became diabetic at age 10. The type of diabetes I have is an autoimmune disease. I will never ever again produce insulin...period. I became a diabetic through that process and my pancrease does not nor will it ever again produce insulin. My body's cells attacked it. Now that being said, type 2 diabetes is different. Some people develop this form by various ways and to different levels. Example, excees weight, age, other diseases or illnesses not allowing pancrease to work well. The key here is that it does still produce insulin, although to different variations. Now that being said....these forms of diabetes are completely different and should not both be called diabetes, in my opinion. There are way to many variations, and circumstances for type 2er's. Type 1's do not have ANY variations they do not nor will they ever produce insulin. Now that being said..can both develop insulin resistance...yes. Reason because eithier natural or synthetic we all need insulin or we will die..this is a different issue. Can every type 2 have a possibility that they will be cured...yes most definately. Can every type 1 juvenille have a possibility that they will be cured...NO. It will not ever happen. That is a scientific fact not my opinion or a guess. Hope this helps and by all means if you have questions I am happy to answer.

That it's not shingles My nurse practitioner doesn't actually know what it is, and ordered lab work to test for autoimmune disorders (I have family diagnosed with lupus and MS). Don't get me started on what happened today when I attempted to get to my appointment for her to discuss my bloodwork - 5 minutes late due to a payroll issue at work and poof - they had cancelled my appointment and suggested that I call and reschedule! Their words were "we are too busy to fit you in now". In all my years on this earth I have NEVER had a doctor's office do that to me! And this is a podunk town of maybe 18,000 folks, not some big city clinic. Apparently I'm not sick enough for them to see me even being 5 minutes late, but it's ok for them to make me wait upwards of AN HOUR every single time. I take my health very seriously and try my hardest not to ever be late. Maybe others do this on a regular basis but not me. I will have to cool off before I call and reschedule that appointment.

I havnt read the thread just ur first...I am having issues with the chronic fatigue still...have for yrs..I'm 4 wks out but I have several autoimmune diseases I have to pace myself. I take the vitamins an I give myself a b12 shot wkly...I still do protein drinks...hope u get better soon..

Too much soy is not good for anyone, male or female. I used soymilk in place of dairy when my youngest child was nursing, b/c she was dairy allergic. After several months of daily soy milk (just on Cereal in the am), I developed Hashimoto's autoimmune hypothyroidism. It may be coincidence, since sometimes pregnancy triggers this as well, but soy is a well-known goitrogen so now I avoid it almost entirely. The studies on asians and lower rates of some cancers now show that fermented soy (tofu and tempeh) are the key; they don't eat processed soy products like milk and cheese.

*Disclaimer-1. My Doctor is the best in his field,very personable and caring, my band removal had nothing to do with his "work". 2. My intention for this post is to somewhat educate(if possible) and not discourage anyone from taking the leap to doing whats best for yourself* Today, is my first day without my band, I am extremely happy that its gone,I had it removed yesterday at approximately 10AM. My decision to remove my band, had everything to do with an autoimmune disease that showed its face 2 years after my band placement, and nothing to do with my Dr or the band itself. My band was placed in June 07, and I cannot tell you how excited I was, I never " charted" my weight loss progress like I shouldve BUT I was very aware of my shrinking body. Now almost 5 years later I tipped the scales at 156.6. BUT Anyways, enough about me...My sole purpose was to inform those that are looking to get their band removed and there is not enough information on the web to educate. This is my account of having my band removed. I will try to update everyday if possible but please dont hold my feet to the fire! Im still in recovery-mode. Today is my first official day being bandfree...I woke up this morning craving anything that could go in my belly. The last time I ate any food was Tuesday at 1pm and this was THURSDAY 9AM and needless to say, I WAS STARVING. After I was discharged I was given my scripts and headed home to battle it out.The removal itself only took and hour max and I was in recovery for another hour, I dont remember much going in, all I do remember is cracking jokes and a sense of gratefulness that I was able to remove it. Anyways, so you may have problems speaking because of the general anesthesia but that will go away. I was given all liquid meds. no pills I am horrible with liquids, my reflex will just kick it right back up&I am trying to keep all of it down so that I can get rid of some of this pain. So I have been going at this without any pain meds*I have a high pain threshold* Today I was finally aboe to take down a small bowl of Soup and crackers I was so excited just to have something in my belly.I am still laying down on my back with the ice pack securely placed under my ribcage, it really helps. Laying down on my back has been my security...I have to get of out the bed in segments..lol. I have a step stool on the side so that I wont over-extend any of my limbs and cause more pain/damage to the healing tissue inside.I will not have any more weight loss surgeries because I have been very diligent in working out and keeping my weight off. The last time I had a fill was about a year and a half ago. I work out every other day, whether its cardio/weights. Im just that committed to staying alive. I was on all kinds of meds before the band but now they are all a thing of the past, the band really helped me get the weight off but I had to come to the conclusion that it was the catalyst for me getting off of that plateau and moving forward. I will answer any questions that anyone has, I will even share some of my exercise tips, Im not selfish,I know this is a tough journey but with the help of others it can be so easy. Ill try to update,on my progress tomorrow. RIGHT NOW..its bed time! LOL. be encouraged-never give up!

Hi everyone. I appreciate learning from your shared experiences. I'm a 62-year-young grandma with a zest for life. I joined here 2+ years ago, but initially ruled out WLS. Over the past two years my health has declined surprisingly, becoming complex with several new diagnoses, including: 1. A rare and progressive neurological disorder (misdiagnosed for years). - I'm told my nerve fibers will not replenish, thus my muscles (legs, especially) will continue to weaken. I'm also told I should be realistic about my physical limitations as my level of exercise isn't expected to improve post surgery. I am realistic, but I'm always hopeful. My exercise level currently consists of short distance walking (1-3 blocks) every other day as tolerated and on opposite days 10 minutes on a recumbent cross-trainer (NuStep). 2. Autoimmune issues have been resistant to stronger meds intended to cut inflammation, which also progresses my neurological disorder. 3. It was the diagnosis of liver disease (fibrosis stage 3) in January that led me to move forward with WLS. I am scheduled for the sleeve in late July. Can any of you relate to having similar health issues with WLS, especially nearing the golden years? Or did less-than-optimal exercise levels hinder weight loss (losing less than expected)? I'm praying the surgery will jolt my nerves to replenish at least somewhat and exceed expectations. We'll see. Thanks for your time! (Feel free to message me privately.)

I have severe plaque psoriasis and I'm currently taking Enbrel, but I have to stop 6 months before my surgery, so I'm about to stop soon. Enbrel hasn't worked that great for me anyway. I read on the lap-band site that if you have an autoimmune disease, you shouldn't get the lap-band. It's my understanding that psoriasis is an autoimmune disease, but none of the doctors have mentioned that I shouldn't have the band because of it. Has anyone has an psoriasis-related complications?

for me and the surgeon it was a no brainer ...with meds I take for autoimmune diseases and 2 of my specialist both suggested best for me would be the sleeve. and neither of these dr's had spoken to each other about me they dont even know each other but I seen them both in 1 wk an ironically they both referred me to surgeon for sleeve. theres no organ switching an less absortion problems. so I went with the sleeve surgeon backed me up he had been doing these ever since this procedure come about . eat slow, small bites, no drinking during eating first 4 months I did good to get in 3 or 4 bites a setting. now I am 8 months PO over 100 pds down an this has been the best thing I ever done for myself! the sleeve is less evasive . I do have a good friend who had bypass 8 yrs ago shes alot older then me an she did great as well. her health was a little differant then mine. do your research. it was easy on my part I trust my specialist they have always steered me in the right direction (my internist an endo that is)..best wishes! keep us posted..

I am 2 year post sleeve surgery. Had lost 125 with about 50 more to go. I have an autoimmune disorder so for last 3 months I have been on prednisone and have been eating everything. I have gained 18 pds. I am so upset. Why can't I stop eating... Ugh Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I actually have to keep liquid near me on hand and have the surgeons permission because I have EOS (Eosinophilic Esophagitis), which is an autoimmune disorder that causes stricture in your throat and leads to choking. I don't sip often when I eat, but usually during lunch or dinner a bite of food sticks in my throat and I have to. I've had EOS for about four years now and my food has always gotten chewed to absolute mush and I've been a slow eater since I first started choking, but the issue still happens. I get my throat stretched usually every two years and it's been a year and a half since last time so there is definite stricture issues and just last week I choked on one of my multivitamins... -_-". I'm currently sticking to chewables now since my throat is officially too narrow to swallow pills. So there are medical exceptions to the rule.

Hi - I am in the process of a revision from band to sleeve. It would seem that my body does not want to accept the band, but I am hopeful about the sleeve since it does not require any "foreign" parts to be added. I was wondering if anyone in this forum - or any other forum - has had problems with the band that seem to be associated with an autoimmune disease. I have Lupus / Lupus Nephritis, which is typically a dis qualifier for wls but I was lucky enough to find a surgeon willing to take a chance. My body began to reject the band approximately 3 - 4 months after the surgery. I vomit after eating anything with density...and the problem is becoming worse. I am down to liquids and even these must be thinned out. For example, I have to use Water or milk to decrease the density of a Protein shake. It's just awful. I was hoping to find someone to dialogue with regarding autoimmune diseases. I would welcome insight from people who know people, too Cheers

Thank you all for your incredible advice!!!!! I learned alot!!! I have had issues with my knees since 1997! My knee issues really scare me because my dad had had a failed knee replacement last year. Little more than a year out the doctor is saying it should be redone. His first recovery was horrible and I can't imagine him going through that again. But it made me realize I need to face this issue before I need a replacement. Time to stop putting my head in the sand and being ignored by doctors! @VSGAnn2014. I have been complacent in my weight loss because I look good but really I could loose 20 more lbs and not look too thin. Maybe that is what my knees need and it worth trying. I have lost most of my weight with minimal exercise because of the knees.... Who knows how far I could go if I worked a little harder or how it could improve my health. My biggest goal is to be active and I am not there yet. I am going to look for a orthopedic sports MD. My rheumatologist is worthless. He told me to lose weight and totally ignored the fact I had autoimmune disorder that can cause arthritis and wouldn't even do an x-Ray! I am glad there are other specialist I can try. Finally I am going to give PT a try. I already have the referral and it can't hurt. @Valentina..... I looked up Synvisc... It is from chickens!!!! My dad had that a couple years ago and they called him chicken legs!!!

Same scenario here. I am paying out of pocket for the difference. One thing you may do is go ahead an appeal. I decided on a more experienced surgeon and his staff refused to appeal the old surgeon's denial letter from my insurance company because they used the "correct billing code" so I use several different appeal letters around here for a reference and did my own appeal. I stated why I believed that I shouldn't have another Lap Band, in my case it was weakening of my esophagus. And that my surgeon had told me that doing RNY would not be a good idea due to scar tissue from the band, making it a much more difficult surgery. I also have the need to take NSAID's eventually and with RNY you can't do that, at the moment I can't take the medication that would help with my autoimmune inflammation and with the sleeve I've been told you are less likely to develop an ulcer as RNY surgery can cause ulcers a lot easier than other surgeries. If you would like to see a copy of my letter PM Me. Personally, I am spoke to the surgeon's office who is going to do my Lap Band removal and asked them what the difference would be out of pocket. I am paying 8k in differences and hoping the appeal will go through post-operatively and I will be reimbursed the difference. Best of luck to ya, it's just another speed bump on your journey with the right letter you can get over it as other have.

why cant she take NSAIDS with the band? I have been banded since Sept 2006 and have been on NSAIDS pre band and post band daily. I have an autoimmune disease that causes joint and muscle pain so without them I cant walk. Just wondering if a Dr said not NSAIDS with the band or what because mine never said a thing.

Hiya GT!! Glad you're back and in the pink (mostly?)!! Yes, I have been intensively studying up on GI and autoimmune issues for a couple of years now. It is one of the reasons our household went gluten-free (Celiacs on both sides of our family) and, for me, entirely grain-free almost a year ago now. My husband's autoimmune symptoms have cleared up remarkably in that time, and his migraines have all but disappeared, which is great. I'm still lobbying my mother to try it, too, for her RA -- especially as her mother is Celiac. Gluten is a major cause/exacerbates leaky gut and other GI problems. It's not just a fad... I also take probiotics every day, but I tend to limit fibre intake somewhat due to it causing digestive issues (for me).

I had hypothyroid before surgery, you will feel better as soon as your levels improve (a week or two). Not sure how the surgery caused this though this is usually caused by autoimmune disease.

Hello! thank you so much for contacting me! It went well. I am walking a lot, trying valiantly o keep up with the water & protein protocols, sip by sip! I am learning to follow the hour-by-hour meal and H2O planning I did wit the Dietician, so I get everything, otherwise , a lot of the day goes by and I am H2o behind, is that common at tis stage? I am a fast learner, and am in this to improve my health, so I learn more each day. Again, thank you so much for contacting me - any words of wisdom or advice? eliz I have Sjogren's and Psoriatic Arthritis, two autoimmune disease, which, along with their treatment, leave me immunocompromised. I am on ENBREL for te situation, which helps. But due to surgery, they held the med for two weeks prior, to my surgery -which got bumped a week, and now I am two weeks out, hence I am a month without Enbrel. Long story sort, I am always in pretty bad pain, unrelated to my surgery. On Monday I see my Ruematologist, she will evaluate me and probably restart the meds. Yippee! Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Eliz

When I was choosing a WLS procedure, I was uncomfortable with the permanence and higher risks with the sleeve. I chose the band mainly because of its adjustability. I love my band, but now I'm revising to the sleeve because of esophageal motility issues from my band. All other things being equal, I think the sleeve might be a good choice for people who can't afford the time and expense of getting band adjustments (fills and unfills). The common belief that the band is better because it's reversible is ill-founded. Yes, the band can be removed, but not easily, and it may leave scar tissue behind. And if you don't revise to another bariatric surgery procedure, it's all too easy to regain the weight you lost. Edited to add: Also, the "foreign object" argument against the band seems blown out of proportion to me. Why is one silicone & titanium medical implant a lifesaver while another is an evil foreign object? The band is made of the same bio-compatible materials as artifical joints and other medical implants that have been used safely for decades. Unless the patient has a history of autoimmune disease, it's highly unlike that the body will "reject" the band the way it would reject an organ. Rejection of transplants that consist of protein (like a liver or heart) is a serious concern but it doesn't stop patients from getting desperately-needed transplants. The band contains no protein, so it's not subject to the same "foreign body" reaction as a transplanted organ.

I am a 48 year old feamle with pseudo tumor cerebri which is a swollen optic nerve (behind eye). This is usually seen in overweight people. Nine years ago I was diagnosed with this and also found out I was celiac. So, I went on a gluten free diet and lost 100 lbs. My optic nerve was not swollen anymore. Now in the past 7 years I put 60 pounds back on. Weight is a life long strudggle and in my case genetic ( both parents overweight). In 10/12 I am told optic nerve is fine. Then earlier this week 6/25/13 I am told it is swollen again. Drs. told me not to stop asthma meds abruptly or nerve could rupture and I could go blind. Long story short. Apparently, weight loss is the only thing that will decrease the swelling. I ahve been trying to lose weight since 13. Yo-yo syndrome. My question is has anybody else had pseudo tumor cerebri and had lapband surgery to lose weight to shrink the optic nerve? Also, do you think United healthcare would consider me having pseudo tumor cerebri a reason to pay for the surgey or deny it? One more question, has anyone with celiac disease been told that the lapband was not for them because you could get another autoimmune disorder like Lupus from the lapband? Any information would be greatly appreciated as I start to explore this option.

With the wide variety of pre-op and post-op diets and food progressions required, you should still follow your doctor's orders. The most important part of the preop low carb diet is avoiding carbohydrates. The chicken cheat was fine, the potato, not ok. Low carb reduces glycogen on the surface of the liver, making it easier to hold up and out of the way (it's over your stomach) so the surgeon can access the stomach. Glycogen is slippery and as the name implies is derived from carbs (glycemic). If the liver slips out of the instrument, the surgery CANNOT be done laparoscopically. Many of the same people we see posting about cheating on the preop diet, end up posting that they cheated on the postop diet...there is a connection. Many "test" their bands, eat slider foods, graze and wonder why they're not losing. It's very important to understand that WLS requires a permanent lifestyle change. To succeed you must adopt these changes willingly, accept that you should never eat the way you did as an obese person and commit to these changes permanently. There's a saying, "If you want to look like a thin person, you need to eat like a thin person." The band supports that by keeping hunger pangs away between meals. You control how much you eat... As a successful banded person who is most likely losing my band very soon, due to an autoimmune disorder, I can tell you, it works, but only if you use it properly. Like any other tool, if you leave out one component, it will not help you...imagine an electric saw you don't plug in...not much good. You are the power source for your tool.

I forgot that I posted this so I had to read what I found out to re-educate myself. I guess I've lost more than just weight... plenty of brain/memory cells as well. I also have an autoimmune thyroid condition called Hashimoto's thryoiditis. It's hereditary. My point is, having an out-of-whack thyroid tends to interfere with one's tolerance for cold and heat. I tend to have a problem with heat more than cold, but after losing close to 100lbs, I'm having a problem with cold more often now. That said, I'm not interested in regaining those 100lbs so I can be warm again!

Yeah it's nothing to do with RNY. It's my autoimmune disease.

One More reason to have the sleeve. Once you have the bypass you can never take ibuprofen or any medication at that type, no steroids. when you're young you think you're invincible but if you get older and have arthritis or any kind of inflammatory disease you will wish you could take an ibuprofen! I have an autoimmune disease. My Rheumatologist would not approve the bypass but he would approve to sleeve.

Hey there, I'm also getting the surgery for autoimmune arthritis. It has better odds of clearing up my pain than any of the meds that are still available to me. If that works out--if the surgery brings my arthritis under control--then even self-pay, at ~$12k, it's a steal, compared to the price of arthritis meds (except methotrexate, that's fairly inexpensive... but also not sufficient to control the arthritis alone, and I'm allergic to a whole class of biologics). I'm a little over two weeks out from the surgery (Oct 3), and I am having all kinds of second and third and fourth thoughts. If I'm in the unlucky percentage of people whose arthritis isn't significantly improved by the surgery, I worry I will regret having it done. (Very few people regret it, but it does happen.) This is, of course, pretty silly; even if the surgery doesn't directly improve my arthritis, weighing less will make it more bearable. Plus, there's the reduced stress from not having to live as a fat person in a society that hates fat people. And I feel like I'm in this terrible cycle, right now, where I am too tired and too in pain to take proper care of myself -- to cook the healthy foods (standing that long in the kitchen? can't do it) and go to the gym (pain and exhaustion combine to be very demotivating) and keep my caffeine intake under control (I'm always tired) -- and the surgery and its associated weight loss really may be enough to break that cycle for me. So I get the reluctance. But I also think weight loss surgery should be prescribed for more of us with autoimmune arthritis, based on the promising results from the studies that have been done. (And insurance should cover it. Heaven knows I'll be saving them a fortune, getting this done.)

Hi terrified, I'm with you on that. My surgery is on the 16th and I'm having it done because of my Hashimoto's Autoimmune Hypothyroid disease. My symptoms are completely out of control and am doing this as a hopeful cure of my disease. I gained a bunched of weight because of it but not enough to normally have this surgery. They are hoping that by removing my stomach hormones, I won't have a fight between them and my thyroid horn ones anymore. This is an extreme surgery for a cure but I'm praying it works. I'm still scared tho. Let me know how it goes!! Debtovah