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Welcome! My weight gain came on with hypo-thyroidism also. Welcome to the group! My surgery is April 8th.

Hi meggiep! Glad you mention it's coumadin...whole different animal. When it comes to razor cuts, there is no way to assess how superficial the cut is until we see the patient in the ER. If I were you I would tell your friend to go to his PCP and have his PT/PTT times checked (coagulation times). There is a possibility that he may have to have his dose adjusted. Just a thought. Remember...preventive medicine always beats reactive medicine!!! Best,

For those interested in learning more about why low carb works, you might check out "Why We Get Fat" by Gary Taubes. Basically, he makes a case that many obese people have a metabolic disorder that doesn't allow them to process carbs correctly. As a result, we gain weight, suffer from hypo/hyperglycemia, become insulin resistant, etc. I do more than just low carb (defined as less than 60gm of carbs per day). I also avoid grains, fruits, dairy and starchy vegetables as they have a very dramatic and immediate impact on my blood sugar. I do not have an allergy or sensitivity to wheat, but it certainly has made a difference. Not only am I now losing about 2 lb per week instead of the 'barely' 1 lb, but all of the things attributed to chronic fatigue (which I think is just a diagnosis given when they've ruled everything else out) are completely gone. Even my arthritis has lessened in intensity. .

I saw my ENDO today and, according to them, I have lost 20 lbs sincy my last visit there (in DEC). I got some other info about HYPO and lab band. They said that we need to be on the lookout for the jittery, anxious, fast hear beat, palpatations feeling because it is very easy to fall into the HYPER range for every 15-20 lbs lost. Make sure that you are seeing your endo regularly. Mine won't let me go past 3 months on regulated meds and 1 month on changed meds! I will have the official and post the weight loss count on Wednesday when I see my WLS!

I have been struggling with hypothyroidism for the past 6 years....still trying to get levels evened out! My Endocrineologist was very supportive and my Bariatric doctor said I would have NO PROBLEM with hypo and the band. I can still take my meds (they are small enough), but you do have to take caution when eating anything with Calcium within 3 hours of taking your meds....that makes Protein shakes something that I have in the afternoon or evening! It has been a great experience so far! Good luck!

Wow, long time since I've posted. Winter has gotten the best of me, was diagnosed with SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) and its time to get the winter weight off. Will post later when I have more time, just wanted to reactivate my journal!

I am severely HYPO with no function at all. i am under the impression that as you loose weight, there is less of you to medicate. BUT, it all boils down to your TSH numbers and your t-3/t-4 balance. I get tested at least once a year. Nothing makes you feel worse than an imbalance. But, i am told I will never get better.

I am also hypo - I keep taking my syntroid

Hyperthyroidism certainly can make people lose weight, it's often one of the main signs because excess thyroid hormone increases the basal metabolic rate. That is of course unless they increase their caloric intake to match, which some people do because they get hungrier. Similarly, people who are hypo often gain weight, have trouble losing it, and then can lose some when they begin to receive thyroid hormone treatment. However - if they are treated back to "normal" levels the meds won't "make" them lose weight, just make it possible if they restrict calories & exercise. http://www.thyroid.org/patients/brochures/Thyroid_and_Weight.pdf

I am kind of confused as to why you would tell people your weightloss was due to being "diagnosed" wth hypothyroidism? I have hypothyroidism and that is exactly why I chose to get this surgery. Neither hypo or hyperthyroidism make you lose weight, and not drastically; I have been treated for both for over six years now. I just found that interesting that you would say that since the disease makes you do the exact opposite.

Hi everyone! Welcome Nicole, glad to have you here. Ready4, welcome! Keep up the good work! One word of caution I give about setting a number goal by a certain date. If it doesn't happen, don't beat yourself up. Sometimes you can do EVERYTHING right and still not lose an ounce. It can be very frustrating, and annoying. Just ask ElfiePoo, right, Elfie? I've seen people set a goal of say 6 pounds lost in a month. It is reasonable, yes, but when they 'only' lose 5, they say they are a failure. NO, they are NOT. They lost 5 pounds!!! Rosey, welcome to you, too. All you can do is what you can do. I understand fibro makes exercise hard...but just a short walk is a good start, when you are feeling well enough to do it. Your losses may be slower, but do your best. Is your thyroid being treated? If you are on replacment hormones and your levels are normal then you should not be hypo. (Your diagnosis is Hypothyroidism, but if treated properly then your thyroid is operating normally and should not be much of a factor in weight loss). If you are indeed still hypo, go see your doctor and get the dose adjusted. I have a very long history of thyroid problems. Elcee, you've been on my mind a lot this week. Hope your son's surgery comes out well. Shammah, does being unfilled make you appreciate your band? This is a serious question. Next Tuesday is my 3 year Bandiversary. I KNOW my band works and it works wonders. But things are just "normal" for me now. I often try to think back to my appetite pre-banding and I honestly cannot remember. It is as though I have always been like this. Leigha, nice to have you back after your taxes...was afraid you might have gone to jail when you were done cheating on them! Sorry I've been MIA lately. MIL is slowly deteriorating. DH and I have been doing a lot of talking in the evenings, and I don't want to be rude by being on the computer. He needs me right now. He has 3 siblings. His brother who supports his arguments for her care lives in Las Vegas. They believe she should be moved to hospice care and accept the inevitable in as much comfort as medical science can provide. Her PCP is in agreement and spoke at length about it at her appointment yesterday. His two sisters who are local feel that the doctors should be able to cure her and don't accept that she is in her final days. Mom is in agreement with the sisters. So unless something the doctor said sinks in, she'll keep getting rushed to the hospital to fix things that cannot be truly fixed. One of his sisters normally comes to appointments with him, but yesterday she could not. The other will not go, why I do not know she doesn't work, but demands that we tell the doctor that he, "needs to address this issue and that issue." Uh, no...he needs to address what he considers the priority. She has a vested interest in Mom staying alive as she lives in the second house on the lot for $250.00 a month. The other sister is about to lose her house and is considering moving in with Mom. DH said she might reconsider that as she will most likely have to move right back out if Mom passes. She says why? With my share I can stay...... Huh? What? yes, you have a quarter interest in the property, so what. You've bailed on 2 (yes TWO) mortgages in the last year, DO YOU THINK YOU WILL GET A LOAN to buy the other three out???? The sister in the back was pissed about 6 months ago when BIL told her she'd not be able to stay in the back house when Mom passes. So was Mom, she cannot fathom that the boys will not take care of the girls. Different generation, I guess. Mom's own instructions are for the property to be divided 4 ways. Unless she changed something, and we don't know. But she generally asks DH about stuff like that. The good news? I am not overeating! Woot woot!!!

Hi, I am new here too. I have been banded for 2 weeks and have so far lost 12 pounds. I too have Hypothyroidism which has always made weightloss difficult, even when I do what I am suppose to do. I know several years ago people with Hypothyroidism were not approved for the band surgery. (Wonder if it is becasue we dropped the success stats???) Still I am glad that Hypo is on the approval list now as this is really my last hope of a tool that may help. I just can't do it myself. So I am hopeful for success with the band, even if little by little. I hope you get approval soon!

Okay so this is getting really annoying. I have posted 3 blogs that have disappeared. =( Anyway, I have had a rough last couple of weeks. My grandmother is really ill and was in the hospital for a few days. Her liver is screwin up big time. I have gotten her into a different doctor because the one she was seeing is a quack and shouldn’t have a license. I am the only one close that can take care of her. And I’m pretty sure she is ready to give up. But I don’t want her to yet. She has to see my babies, if that ever happens, and see me finish RN school. DH was also sick. He has chemical pneumonitis and Reactive Airway Disease. He couldn’t breathe and went to the ER. They wanted to admit him but he refused and took an AMA. So they gave him breathing treatments, that we couldn’t afford, and steroids. So other than that drama. I have lost a couple more pounds. I talked to my doc, who was on my floor seeing another patient, and he said that 1 pound a week is plenty of weight loss. So that made me think about how much weight I have been losing. I started counting my calories on a website and I am sooooo not taking in enough calories. We are supposed to take in like 1200-1800 right? I am not even sure but its hard to reach that with how little I am able to eat. I know that my diet says that I am supposed to eat 3 times a day and nothing in between meals but that’s just not possible. I am eating very small snacks every couple of hours. That has helped me up my calorie intake quite a bit. I am down 2 more pounds which I am very happy with. In a couple more weeks I can go in for a fill if I need one. I think I am doing pretty well without one, lol. But anyway I have to go to class now. Its not for another hour and a half but the roads are icy and people don’t know how to drive and parking is DREADFUL at my school.

Hello again everyone!!! It seems that in the few days I missed checking into LBT, everyone has been snowed or iced in, or lost power because of the gas shortages associated with Texas! Wow! Well...anyhoo...I was glad to rediscover this thread as it took me about a half an hour. I haven't been on the site much lately nor since they changed things. So if I seem confused about things...I am! Ok...how to start...well, I became depressed and anxious as a teen and started Prozac which served me well for 2 years. When its effectiveness began to fade, as Rxs often can, I started taking Effexor XR. I started gaining weight very slowly even though I was on my school's and a community softball team, and running around like most teens do. A number of years later, my depression developed into Bipolar II Depressive (meaning I can get really, really depressed but my hypo-manic periods do not cause me to put reality aside in order to partake in high-risk activities. When I am hypo-manic, I am super fun and bubbly, ready to organize and clean my house from top to bottom.) So my psychiatrist moved me from Effexor XR to a different class of medication for Bipolar, and my weight gain stopped. I didn't lose any weight, but it finally stabilized. It wasn't until a few years after stopping the Effexor XR that my Mom asked if I had started my weight gain when I began taking the Effexor XR. We had found our answer. When I started gaining weight, I didn't let anyone help me because I was SO embarrassed. I had always been very happy with the way I looked...nothing special...but I was happy and that was all that mattered to me. And then gaining that weight; seeing family I hadn't seen in years; running into old classmates and dealing with being Bipolar and having Generalized Anxiety Disorder (Dx'd as a teen), I ran away from all help and probably made things worse without knowing it by not watching my food intake. Ok...last and (LOL)...last January, I went to the National Institute of Mental Health in Bethesda, MD for a medicine protocol, which went well, but two of the meds they put me on after the protocol to go home on had a high propensity to make patients gain weight. In a month and a half, while eating a nutritionist planned diet, I gained 25 more pounds! I was inpatient for 4 months with the hospital keeping track of weight and food intake, and up until I started the new meds, I had gained 3 pounds over those 4 months. It was yet another blow. As I began to feel better psychologically on my new medications, I decided I was going to research the LapBand to get the aid I needed to lose 100lbs. I researched and researched, and researched, and decided it was my time to do something to help myself. I have been banded since 8/24/10 and have lost 28lbs! Currently I am in a depressive state which is why it took me so long to get back on here, but it seems to be lifting a bit with the sun we've had the past few days. I usually log my eating although other than Protein and calorie intake, I have no idea how to use the information because my surgeon hasn't been very helpful in that, but I have slacked off on logging for the past month and a half due to my depression. I spent 3 days in bed 2 weeks ago so logging wasn't much a priority. Same with exercise. I did order and get the Jillian Michaels "30 Day Shred" and like it. It is pretty old school, so it isn't hard to keep up with...well, physically it is, but the moves aren't. I wish I had someone to go to a Zumba class with, but with this anxiety of mine, that is a tough thing to do alone. But I am staying positive that February will be my back on track month, and I will start losing again (been stuck at same weight for 3 weeks). I am trying not to beat myself up because I have many issues to deal with, and I knew going in I would have to work doubly hard. I try to give myself a short period to feel badly and then say, "Ok. Now we get to start again." I think my "book" covered what you were kinda asking for. Feel free to ask questions or give advice. The only thing I ask is that if I ask a question about my digestive track, you don't answer me back that "it isn't like you have a piece of PVC pipe from your esophagus to your bowel". Yea...some guy actually told me that. I thanked him for the physiology lesson. LOL Still makes me giggle. Hope it makes you giggle too! Keep warm. Please pray that Spring starts...oh...tomorrow! And be Blessed!

Growing up being the "fat friend" was never easy. There was always something I couldn't do that all my friends could. I thought that as I got older that would change. After being diagnosed with PCOS and hypo-active thyroid I realized that my being overweight wasn't because I was just "lazy" like so many people want to label me. The hormonal challenges that come with PCOS make it difficult to lose weight and many doctors have encouraged me get weight-loss surgery. They said it was has even been shown that all symptoms of PCOS can disappear with weight-loss. For someone who has struggled with their weight all their life I wanted nothing more than to have weight-loss surgery. So I looked into it.I first sought out information on gastric bypass. After sitting through meetings and talking with people who have had the surgery, even taking care of a friend who had gastric bypass, I didn't feel that was the best avenue for me. And then I saw a commercial for the lap band and was intrigued. I requested information and was totally psyched about getting the surgery. Then to my dismay when checking with my insurance I found that they don't cover anything bariatric or weight-loss related. So I had no choice but to go back to the diet scene. You hear people say over and over, "I've tried every diet there is." For me, I can honestly say that is true. From Weight Watchers to Slim Fast, Jenny Craig to Atkins and even the most obscure weight-loss antics via the Internet…I've tried them all. With some I had short term success. With others…not so much. Years went by, and on top of the PCOS and the weight challenges that brings, I now have three ruptured disks which has put on even more weight. This left me even more desperate to find a new diet I haven't tried that would get the weight off, not just quickly but for longer than a month. Enter a friend of mine who had lap band and told me about the contest. I met Andrew and found out he had the surgery so I gave him the third degree about it and made him tell me all about his experience. I expressed to him how much I would love to have the surgery but unfortunately my insurance didn't cover it and I didn't have the money to pay out-of-pocket. A few weeks later Andrew sends me an e-mail saying that the DayOne Health clinic in Chicago was having a contest giving away a free lap band surgery and he sent me the link. Knowing it would be a long shot I submitted an essay saying why I think I would be a good candidate for the surgery. Months go by and forgetting all about the contest I receive an e-mail on my birthday from Gladys at DayOne informing me I am one of twelve finalists for the free lap band surgery. I was asked to come in and interview with the doctor and staff at DayOne and was told they would be making their decision at their annual holiday party on December 3rd. My husband and I arrived to the holiday party and were anxious to hear the results. When that time came, I'm sitting there listening to Dr. Elli explain about how the contest worked and when the surgery was going to take place. When he said my name as the winner, every thought, feeling and emotion hit me all at once. I am now starting my weight-loss journey with DayOne. Even though I was ecstatic I found myself a little nervous because everything was happening so fast. In one day I found out that I won a free lap band surgery and that I was going to be having it three weeks later. Which brings me to present day, on the eve of starting my two week liquid diet. I don't find myself having the anxiety that I've been warned other people experience. In a strange way I'm kinda looking forward to it. I've spent the last week having all my favorite meals. Kinda like a seven day farewell party. Good bye old…Hello new. I know the two week liquids only diet is going to be hard but I'm ready to face it head on and do what I have to do because the end result is so worth it. Granted my zealous attitude could change on day three of my liquid diet but as of right now I choose to stay positive.

I was hypo before surgery, and still am. It has not "decreased" for me; I am still on the same dose of synthroid as I was before surgery, which keeps it under control.

If you're planning on being banded in January your either half way thru your 6 month wait or you've just recently met with your surgeon and you're beginning your 3 month wait filled with dr appts and nutrition classes. I have aetna and I only have to wait three months but it'll be filled jam packed w/ dr appts and classes, etc... I went to see a pulmonologist last week and he wants me to get a breathing test, chest x-ray and sleep study. Saw the GI yesterday and my endoscopy is set for 11/5 and my cardiologist is Friday - can't wait to see what HE has in store for me - haha --- I'm actually excited to get this "work up of the stars" --- how many others are thankful for all these tests (cause when else would we get them done??) My BMI is under 40 and my last two years worth of weights was around a 35 but I have diabetes and high triglicerides...hoping that this is acceptable for aetna approval cause I'm gaining and not losing no matter what I do - I presently need to lose 80-90 pounds and there is no way I could do it on my own with the diabetes and hypo-thyroidism. :laugh: I'm curious to know who is getting banded in January (My surgery date is 1/18/11 if approved). I'd love to hear your stories and concerns - anything at all --- just want to put together a group for those that are planning a new life style come January - I can't think of a better new years resolution!!!! :thumbup: ~Renee I will be having my surgery soon--went to the GI last week , had my endoscope. Waiting for my nurse to call for the pre-op appt.--then 2 weeks of liquids-- I agree Renee--this is my best resolution ever!!!!

So, I was laying in bed the other night trying to drift off to sleep when my formerly obese cat JD jumped up on the bed and then slowly walked up my leg, onto my belly and then stood on my chest, purring like mad while staring at me and purring some more. It was then that I thought two things...1...I was quite thankful that he had lost so much weight, though still a bit jealous (why can't I have hyperthyroidism instead of hypo-?) and 2...wow...this is gonna suck after I have surgery. How on earth am I gonna sleep at night? So, how do you sleep at night? My eventual sleeping position is my stomach. I'm gonna go out on a limb here and suggest that laying on your stomach right after surgery is probably not the best idea...just a hunch. But what about on your side? My cats still crawl on me when I'm on my side, but the belly is a bit more protected. If I lay on my back, the belly is less protected. There are no doors or spare rooms to lock my cats away into (or me into) so that's out. What have you done, my fellow cat people?

I had my thyroid removed in Aug of last year. I am just now getting my thyroid replacement meds adjusted. I gained a lot because I went from hyper to hypo. I am on 225mg of Synthroid now and hopefully I've finally hit the right mark!

I have hypo thyroidism and I hope this surgery helps my condition. I had surgery on 12/15/10 and I am still on 200mcg or levothyroxine. I will be having some blood tests soon and I hope The weight loss has helped

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!!!

Hello, My name is JJ. This week I have taken the first step in getting my health together. My insurance covers weight loss surgery after 6 months of supervised dieting. Today I saw my GP and she is completely supportive of this journey, and was genuinely honest about it being a tool, not a cure all. I appreciate the honesty. I have chosen a Dr. and will attend his seminar in a few days. At that point I will fill out the paperwork and go from there. About a year ago I had a major surgery that improved my health by 75%. Since then I realize how great I can feel, and the immense pleasure of being a part of life without pain. My BMI is 41. I am 5'1" and 219lbs @ 39 yrs of age. I have thyroid disease (hypo), high triglycerides, mild sleep apnea, depression (after losing a child) and am pre-diabetic. Around 10 years ago all self-esteem issues vanished for me after the birth of our child. I finally started living life as much as possible, only being held back by pain. I buy clothes that fit, and look nice, and never agonize about what I am wearing or how it fits. I take care to look up to date, and presentable for me. I like looking nice and feeling good. My husband is FABULOUS. When we met I was around 150 and as I grew through the years his devotion and commitment to me grew even deeper. He's not a chubby chaser, but loves me and respects me. He looks like a male model still, and I have grown obese. I know I have a good, good man. My goal is to feel as great as I can, be 100% a part of life, and come off of all my meds. I am ready for this change. Thank you to everyone that is so forthcoming on this site. Just what I have read in the last few days has helped with questions and curiousness!

I missed my six month bandaversary which was 11/26. I was at my mom's who saw me for the first time since before my surgery. She was very suprised when I walked into baggage claim at DFW. I got a lot of positive reinforcement at her house (not from her but from everybody else). Since I decided to do lap band back in January I'v lost about 84 lbs. I'm under 200 for the first time in 6 years and I wear size 14 pants. My arms are horrendous and I am going to focus on them with a trainer (still in 16W), but I'm very very pleased with it all. I had a terrible Thanksgiving. I am still very reactive to stress, and I was stressed out that morning trying to get everything done. At 52, you would think I wouldn't feel like a bad child around my mom, but I do. I took the first tiny bite of mashed potatoes and it CAME RIGHT BACK UP. Luckily in my napkin, but it was like potato slime. Nothing else would work so I just pushed food aound my plate and pretended to eat but my aunt and daughter caught me. I got better by Friday but I realize how stress affects me. This never used to happen. I just got home last night and I feel somewhat better. We worked out every day but Thursday and I lost another 4 lbs last week so I'm happy. My goal is to be at goal by my 1 year anniversary which is 6 months and about 50 lbs away. I have to go back to work this afternoon; I have an interview with a company closer to home this morning. Nice to "see everyone" again and wish me luck today!

I don't need a scientific study to prove that garlic makes me fart. I'm smart enough to realize that I'm reactive to certain substances or foods. MSG gives me headaches and I'm sure there are millions of other sensitive people that react to it as well. I’m not about to put that stuff in my body after all of the articles I’ve read. Scientific studies can be very tricky. First of all, who do you think funds the millions of dollars for these studies?!? People interested in making money. Bottom line. I don't know if there are any reputable studies proving it's dangerous or not but if there isn't, it's because there isn’t anybody who will make any money from proving it's unhealthy. I'm sure there are plenty of studies that show it's not dangerous and I wonder who paid for THOSE studies... Hmmmmmm.... The companies who put it in their food maybe? Follow the money trail... If I cared about your opinion I might take the time to find out about scientific studies but I don’t so I won’t…. I trust my doctor, I trust my nutritionist / naturopath, I trust my chiropractor and yes, I trust the millions of articles that try to get through to people about how dangerous it is and what it will do to your health in the long term. To those of you that agree with the rude and condescending post above, read the article again before you jump on the denial bandwagon... Maybe a little slower this time? It doesn't say that MSG MADE you fat. It states that MSG contributes to obesity. BIG DIFFERENCE. If you choose to eat it, that's your choice. If you choose to remain ignorant of the dangers, it's another personal choice you are free to make. After all, ignorance really is bliss in most cases. I'm just sharing information that I believe in and consider valuable. The smart ones will do their own research and trust their own instincts. Whether you agree or not is totally up to you but I'm not about to be intimidated and/or discouraged from sharing information. If you don't like it or don't like me, please click on the next post. I'm here for support, not drama.<BR style="mso-special-character: line-break">

OM, YES! I first called my gastric band Dr.'s office and they said the pain I was having wasn't related to the band. So I call my regular physician and she tells me to take gas relief pills or heart burn meds and if it is still bothering me in a few days to come in. So, a few days later I come in. She runs all types of test and everything is normal except the c-reactive test. Took almost a week to get an ultrasound...I too thought it was ovarian cysts or appendix since I was told it's not band related and the pain was that bad. Go in for a fill and they can't get Fluid back out..uh oh better have the doctor see me. Wait another few days and uh oh - yep there is a problem. GRRR, I am so mad right now. Now I have to wait for them to get the paperwork to the insurance to find out if its covered. Hello, I can't sleep at night because I can't get comfortable...sorry, I needed to vent. I am glad to hear everything turned out ok for you once they finally repaired it. How long did it take you to get surgery once they figured out what was going on? Thanks for replying! TJ's Mama