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Hey guys! I've been on both sides of the thyroid- hyper with graves disease to complete hypo after RAI. My body has been through a lot in a few short years. I often wonder what it's role is in this weight loss mission i'm on. I definitely kept gaining weight as soon as I was hypothyroid and I'm on sinthrod forever now. I think my WL is mostly due to the quantity of exercise and effort I put into this. I barely scrape a pound off a week- barely. I Zumba 8x week, Bootcamp 2x week. Even if I have to work super hard at the loss part, in the back of my mind I tell myself- it won't come back on. Just keep moving forward. i think it complicates things, but I've got my eye on the prize. I've lost 50lbs and have about 40 to go. My surgery was in March 10, and post op I've lost over 30. Slow going. I also have 7ccs now.

Hi, I also have hypo, I had to crush the meds for the first couple of weeks, and wasn't really sure they were totally effective being crushed. But I did not see or feel any major differences losing weight. I am losing 1-2 pounds a week which for me is fantastic. I'm still very exhausted though, but I guess that will take time. Good luck and let us know how it turns out.

Hi Angela, thanks for your post, my pre-op diet is only for one week, thank goodness, today was really bad, i am diabetic and started to go into a hypo, so i had to phone my doctor and ask for advice, she told me that as my blood sugar was so low, i had to eat something, aaaagh! so i had to have real food, instead of just the youghurt that i am only supposed to eat, i am praying that it wont cause problems for the surgery, oh well 6 days to go so hopefully if i get right back on the diet tomorrow everything will be ok. as for my prepartion, well i was supposed to have the op 3 months ago when i was having my gallbladder out, but some piece of equipment broke just before surgery, i was able to have the gallbladder removed but not the sleeve, so i think since then i have become more prepared and have more of an understanding of what will happen, although as the days go by i am getting more nervous, normal emotions i know, the post op preparations are going ok, reading, reading and more reading, and of course coming to this site is fantastic, if you need any help give me a shout, and i wish you all the best for your op in 3weeks time, i will let you know how things go, take care! viv xx

I found out I was hypo in 1976 and have been on thyroid medicine since. Before banding, the weight was so hard to lose. I was banded 09022010 and have lost 24 pounds, which doesn't seem like a lot to me but hey at least I am losing and that is the main goal here. I just had my 2nd fill so hopefully it will go faster but because I do have a thyroid problem if I plateau or it is just slow I don't sweat it. But by all means take your medicine, because it not only messes with your weight but with so many other parts of the body especially the nerve center. Losing weight is already a depressing process but if you are on thyroid medication and don't take it you will get depressed and it will make matters worse. Take it from an old pro. LOL

I have not been banded yet, but I can tell you that I also get dizzy and light headed if I haven't eaten. Usually it happens if I have sugar (like mocha coffee) and then not eat for a long time after. My family doctor said that there is two types of diabetes..hypoglycemic and hyperglycemic. He said I'm border line hypo and will be full blown if I don't get this weight off. I told the doctor who will be doing my banding that this is a concern of mine...not being able to eat enough if I start to feel dizzy etc...and he said he hears that all the time and isn't concerned. Do YOU feel like it goes away by only eating the little bit the band will let you? Do you have any regrets? I'm so worried about getting one. Take care and write back when you have time.

I was at 35. I gained some weight before I requested the surgery - I was at 37 and got approved. I have diabetes 2 and hypo thyroid. It has been 4 weeks since the surgery and I am at 33 BMI. I lost 28lbs in 4 weeks since the surgery - isn't that awesome? You can always appeal if they deny you.

i also have hypo thyroid. I am on syntrhoid - its great. I also have type 2 diabetes but my doctor took me off my metformin as soon as I had the surgery.

Hi :smile2: I'm scheduled for surgery in January and I'm just curious how those with hypo-thyroidism are making out with their lap-band...? I know how slowly I lose weight NOW with it - (I also have type II Diabetes controlled by metformin). I'd love to hear from all of you that have this thyroid disorder to see how you're making out or how you've made out... Thanks renee

Thanks you guys for responding. I was over at OH reading the bypass patients' accounts. Then someone suggested reactive hyperglycemia and after reading what that's about, it scared the snot out of me, talk of seizures, etc. OMG, how do those folks survive that stuff?! Scary, very scary. I had to keep reminding myself that I HAVE a stomach, just a much smaller one. I never reacted to sugars before. I don't eat high fat foods. This whole thing took a new turn when I had the honeycomb and yes, little pieces of cheese. Tonight I had a low fat "taco soup" which is mainly proteins (recipe from WW old time), and was OK after dinner. Of course I was watching my watch and timing things to SEE IF anything would happen. I got myself so worked up by "sensing" heart rate, etc., that I had to go take a Xanax to come down from the ceiling where I was putting myself. No dumping occurred, but the anxiety about whether it would occur is enough to set off an adrenaline rush all on its own. I don't want to be having these problems whatsoever. I stick pretty much with the Medifast diet plan and eat their healthy snacks, etc. I get that the combination of the cheese and honey was not a winner. I just want to KNOW that I'll be OK, no seizures or anything of that nature in the future. Thanks for talking me through this; I PRAY that I am over it.

Oh No Suzie!!! But at least it is a walker cast/boot. Crutches suck sooooo bad!!! Hope it heals quickly and quits hurting even sooner! Izzy and I just got back from our walk, I increased our distance, and made myself weak by the time I got home. We walk FAST! I am trying to wear her out and work me out! She is pretty good on the leash, better when Rick is with us. But she is learning our ways of what we want her to do. I am waiting for Kinsey to get home, then have to run into town, to get new meds for Rick, the new GERD meds are not working, and he is having problems swallowing. So off to buy his usual OTC kind. And he wants new socks! LOL, he actually, finally ask for them, he has some that are antiques I think! LOL My in laws left this morning for Texas. After telling us for the last few years they couldn't drive it, and dictating when Rick's vacation had to be taken, they suddenly left. Called me from the road. I called them several times yesterday to say happy anniversary, and no one would answer. They did not want us to know until they had already left. I hope they will be ok. It scares me so bad. She drives sooooo slow, not over 55 EVER. Not on the interstate, or anywhere. And he can't move well enough to look around and be reactive. Scary. But they are both well into their 80's now. They celebrated 65 years of marriage yesterday! Can you believe that!! The issue is that my DIL's parents are driving their motor home to TX to meet up with the kids when they come in, and my MIL is concerned about the farm house needing cleaned for them. They are not the kind who would care....but she does. I am finished working, I could have taken them and helped, but guess they preferred not. My dog is snoring....wore her out. Speaking of I need to go call the vet. She has an appointment tomorrow I need to reschedule.

Hey thats so strange :-( Hm, well if someone reactivates it, it might be easier to do the formula based on just entering your start weight, goal weight, and your weekly current weight (and then the spreadsheet will calculate how many pounds you have lost automatically), as opposed to entering how many pounds you lost each week. Probably a lot of people have kept a log of their weight each week and even if we haven't, you can estimate what your start weight was, and then enter your current weight for this week, and then the spreadsheet will calculate it. I don't know how to make that formula, but I know that's usually how the challenge spreadsheets are setup. Just a thought so we can easily recover the info.

i'm 26. My bmi is 36 (going by my home scales anyway, which are always a little bit lower than the hospital scales) and i dont care to gain weight to make sure it's any higher :S I don't have any co morbidities *sp* that i know of.. unless depression and hypoglycemia count and i've never been actually tested for the latter, a dr otehr than my pcp told me he thought i was hypo and i should eat that sort of diet.. I can't really think of anything else that might be considered a co-morb...... It seems like my ins covers the surgery IF i'm approved, but i don't see that happening, ya think? the last line on the answer on this link has me wondering if i should just give up... or go ahead and gain the weight and be a hermit until then.. darnit, the goal is to get INTO pants, not get big enough that i can't fit into any of mine.. Answers.com - Will blue cross and blue shield pay for weight loss surgery with a thyroid problem

Congrats to you for taking control back! I am also in a similar boat. I lost about 80 pounds in the first few months. Then I started going the wrong direction and gained 50 back. 6 weeks ago I decided to get my butt up off the couch and sign up at a fitness center. And I reactived my fitday account so I could start tracking calories again! And I dragged my fiance with me too lol! In the past 6.5 weeks I've lost almost 30 of those 50 pounds and am feeling great. It was hardest to get to the gym. But once you go, you get into a routine and its easier! You have lots of support here! And also, now that we know how HORRIBLE it feels to regain the weight we worked hard to take off, it will hopefully serve to motivate us to make it work!

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

Hello All I haven't had a good day. The stress is mounting as I am trying to finish my diploma coursework, have a new job with so much school preparation etc and a 10 year old that is behaving like a teenager! Bl***y hormones! Stress really made my band very reactive today at lunch time and it wasn't pleasant believe me! I had to come home from school as I couldn't stop heaving. Finally, after about an hour I lost my boots and am now feeling a little better. But it was awful. I agree that it some days one thing will go down really well and other days it may be quite the opposite! Just a complete nightmare. Wish I hadn't got out of bed!! Anyway, upward and onward - come on Marine don't let the side down. Have a good evening all.

No, the band will not prevent the symptoms of hypo/hyperglycemia. I was hypoglycemic for decades. Now I'm hyperglycemic. In both cases, I had to eat something every 3 hours to keep my blood sugar stable. Still do. .

I have not been put on meds yet but I do have hashimotos which is an autoimune disease where my body is destroying my thyroid and will have to eventually be put on meds to control it. Some weeks I can tell that my levels are off becasue I am extremly tired all the time and others i am full of energy. I go every six months to have blood work done but since the tests usualy land on a day that I am feeling pretty good they come back on the low side of normal so the doc wont put me on anything. So I have allready mentaly prepared my self to be a slow looser do to the hypo weeks. Good luck with your testing, and getting the last 20 off!

okay... I know it seems like a weird thing to be happy about.... but I'm thrilled. I have been a painfully slow looser since surgery. The most I ever lost in a month was 10lbs (one memorable month). I work out 2x per day most days... yoga (harder and more intense than it sounds) and weights. I also hike and bike and almost never watch tv. I eat mostly Protein and my calories stay between 600-1100 per day. My loss has slowed to the point where I loose about 1/2 lb per week (some weeks its a whole lb!). I am .1 bmi points away from being "normal" still, and would like to loose 20 more lbs to end at a bmi of 21. I had come to accept that that might never happen, and that if it was going to happen in would take me 8 mos or so (to loose 20 lbs post gastric sleeve.... seriously!!!!). Its been depressing but I reached a place of acceptance. Got my 3 month labs done (I know I know... I'm 5 months post op) and everything looks fabulous... great Iron, b12, D etc. Only thing is I have hypothyroidism. We are going to check again in 1 month... but if its truly hypo... that exlains my slow loss, and if I get on some meds that last 20lbs will more than likely come right off. So.... I guess I'm excited about the news that my thyroid isnt functioning well. has anyone started thyroid medecine post op???? how did it affect your weight loss?

The fact that the lymphs are high and not the neutrophils, usually means that it's not a bacterial infection. Lymphs tend to indicate viral, but that's just a generalization. The same thing with the C-Reactive Protein and the sed rate. Both of them mean that there is something inflammatory going on, but it's pretty minor, if you're only at the high end of normal. Many people who aren't sick are walking around with high C-reactive Proteins. The combination of results, I think, merits the trip to the hematologist. I still doubt that it will be anything at all, it all seems very non-specific. I hope you can schedule an appt. soon. I hate sitting around and waiting on these things. It just makes you crazy. Cindy

Hi Cindy, my white count has always been at the high end of normal but never over 10,400. It usually ran around 9000-10000 or so. It is the lymphocytes that are high. She also did a C reactive protein (which measures inflammation) and it was high....around 10 I think. I'm told normal is around 3 or less. She also did a SED rate which also measures inflammation it was at the high end of normal. Thanks for the reassurance. I keep telling myself that even if it is something horrible, we have probably caught it really early since I'm not having symptoms and its only slightly elevated at this point.

Hi Everyone ! My name is Mary, and I'm almost 3 weeks post-surgery. As of a week ago, I was down 24 lbs, but that included the weight I lost during the 10 pre-op diet period. I'm starting to feel pretty good, other than I get tired easily. That may be compounded by the fact that I have other chronic illnesses (hypo-thyroid, ulcerative colitis), but I'm glad to be getting into the pureed food stage ! Was anyone else bothered by the odd sensations of the gas exiting your body? It kind of made my left shoulder hurt a little....nothing major, just a discomfort. :thumbup:

Maybe someone can help me with this. Becasue of my profession, I am pretty well know where I live. I am not trying to sound concieted or cockey or anything like that, but a whole lot of people know who I am and have for several years. It is obvious that I am bigger that the obvious person. :frown1: When I start losing weight, I will be doing so in the public eye where tens of thousands of people will see me every week. I was thinking of having my journey documented and then shown a few weeks after surgery before the questions start coming about what I am doing. Now what if I go that route and the weight loss does not happen as it should? In your opinion would that be worse than answering the question "How are you losing weight" countless times. Sorry about being so vague, but I do not know who is reading these boards and I do not want to reveal my idenity right now, but I eventually will. Don't worry, in the end you will be like "Oh it's only you,big deal!" :biggrin2: Has anyone had an experience similar to mine? Thanks!

onceuponaband --- Hi Paige. Welcome and congratulations on your surgery date. We look forward to hearing about your journey through this. I have opted to tell only 2 co-workers, my husband and daughter. At first my excuse was not to say a word until I know for sure that I was approved. Now that I have been approved I still don't want people to know. I don't want people to think, "Is that on your diet" or "Should you really be eating that". I would rather right now just let them think that this is just another "normal" diet and be quite. I'm sure one day when they finally get enough nerve to ask what my secret is I'll let it out but not till then. sunny day -- I am in the same boat as you. I met my surgeon on Feb 3 at the seminar and have not seen him since. I will see him for the second time this coming Thursday for a pre-op meeting and then I have surgery 15 hours later. I got my pre-op diet info from the dietitian. It certainly would not hurt to call and ask when your pre-op appointment will be. That way you are not slipping through the cracks and have to reschedule because of someone else's mistake. I have always been proactive instead of reactive though when I can because I don't like surprises. They never seem to be good. Anyway, give them a call for peace of mind.:biggrin: Cathy

Hi Everyone!! okay soooo. I wana get the LapBand. I have United Health Care. I have a few questions. I hope yall can help me. 1. If my BMI is over 40 will I automaticly get approved? 2. Has anyone used Dr. Steven Fass out of Austin TX and does he make you jump through all kinds of hoops? 3. Since my BMI is 41, I have hypo-thyroid and hyper-tension, depression and back pain do u think I will automaticly get approved with out needing to prove 5 years of weight history and do the 6 month pre-op diet? I was born over weight. It runs in the family. I have never ever been thin. I am almost 285 lbs today. I have never been able to keep up on my health due to a rocky life style and bad choices in life. At 28, I am ready and able to finally take care of myself and become healthy. I have come a long way, and ready to make more changes.Now I am able to with a good job and health benefits. I hope ya'll can help me by sending my your opinions and experiences. :smile2: Thanks so much! Always, Amber Xoxo

Let me start with a History of what's going on: Oct. 21, 2009 I had lapband surgery. I have lost to date 134lbs. I am at 350lbs right now. I know I am morbidly obese, and I am trying to work on that issue. I was enjoying life when losing the weight, and walking and exercising enjoying my new founded mobility. I was trying to eat right, but with lapband my diet consisted of mostly Protein. I was doing great and was happy with life...Then in March 2010 I went to the Beach for Spring Break and had a great time. In the beginning of April I noticed a redness on my cheeks that felt tight. I thought it was a sunburn left over from spring break. It never went away, and it started tingling. I went to my PCP and she said it was Rosacea. I used the metrogel, and it didn't go away. I went to two other doctors and they said maybe allergies. One gave me nasonex and the other just said use topical ointment like neosporin. I did everything nothing happened. In the middle end of April 2010 It started tingling and the numbness/tingling started going down my face. My mouth, cheeks, and jaw felt numb and tight. the numbness/tingling progress to the scalp, forehead, and extremeties arms, legs, fingers, feet, toes. It spread to the middle of my upper shoulders in where it is tight. My chest seemed to get tight also. I went to a neurologist due to having these weird sensations in my head and the rest of my body. occassionally feeling burning sensations on my toes and scalp. They did the general neuro test. Then they did an MRI of my Brain and Cervical Spine. They stated that it came out normal. THey stated they believed it was not MS. They did other blood work, and tested me for ANA which came out negative, and then B-12 was 174. I was even tested for diabetes and the glucose test came out negative. My first neurologist stated that the neuropathy was due to B-12 deficiency. I had the series of 7 shots. then I was advised to go back to my Primary Care Physician to get b-12 injections once a month. During the time I had to wait for the first shot I advised my neurologist I was still having the systems and they did not alleviate. I took it upon myself to take sublingual B-12 5000mg daily to try to get rid of the numbness and tingling throughout my body. I finaly went to my PCP for the first shot. I gave her a list of all my symptoms still. She did a whole blood work also and said everything was fine. She even did another ANA which came out negative again. The only thing that was off was my Vit. D which was at a level of 23-24. So I am taking megadose of vit. D for four weeks. I tried to tell my PCP what was going on and she just said go back to your neurologist. By this time I am dealing with anxiety and deprssion of what is happening to me. I have never been sick like this. I have had Hypothyroidism for six years, and then asthma all my life. I was diagnosed with sleep apnea prior to the weight loss surgery but I stopped using the cpap because after the weight loss i was able to sleep better. All doctors believed noone of this was what was causing the numbness/tingling throughout the body. So at this point I decided to go to another neurologist Dr. Sara Austin in Austin, Texas I told her what was happening, and gave her all the results. SHe did another neurological exam, and even did the EMG test where she poked needles into the peripheral nerves to see if there was damage. That test came out normal. Along with her other blood work. she did a CBC, an tested me for other vit. min. deficiencies which all came out normal according to her. She also stated I do not have MS or Guillen Barre. I asked about Lyme disease and she said I did not have that either. She just recently ordered another lab work to check for Fabry's Disease, ERS blood test, and another test called a Rheumotoid Factor. I don't have those results yet. I am just looking for answers. I asked my Lapband team if it could be the lapband and they stated No it was not. They took out some fill out of my band so that I could get more food in, thinking that the parenthesias was caused by malnutrition etc. I still have the numbness and tingling. My b-12 levels went from 174 to 1700 when my PCP tested me again. She stated I did not need to be taking any more B-12. I told her that I was taking the oral supplements but again that seemed to fall on death ears. My Endocronologist recently said I had switched to hypo to hyperthyroidism. which is weird so she lowered my synthroid level to .150mcg two pills a day. it was at .175mcg two pills a day So I am confused on what is going on with me. I will list my symptoms below, Maybe you could help or Guide me in a direction I need to be guided in. I would really appreciate your help. I know this was long but its been a long five months. I need answers and I need resolutions. Symptoms:</SPAN> Head - burning sensation on scalp occassionaly. Feels like I have a cap on somedats. tingling/numby. I do have a few pimples on the scalp but not sure if itsjust due to sweat or something else. Forehead - Tight the numbness seems to travel down my face underneath my eyes. Like a pulling sensation to. Face - cheeks numb/tight. around the mouth is tight and numb. I don't have any lost sensation it just feels numb and tight. Lips - Tight/numb sometimes burning tingling sensation Mouth - an ulcer on right cheek that has a clear bubble doesn't hurt. Upper Teeth numb. Vision - blurred vision occassionaly. Went to Optamologist and said she didn't see anything like pseudo tumors that could cause this. Neck/shoulders - tight and numb/tingling Chest - tight and red. Feels numb also. breast - feel tingling/had a recent mammo it came out fine Arms- Right side feels more numb/tingling than left side. sometimes get burning sensations. Small red dots on upper arms not sure if they have always been there or if its just started. Arms - Forearms feel tingling/pull. Burning sensation on wrists occassionally. Elbow Joints - when squeezing touching very tender and slight pain Fingers - Pointer fingers seem number than the rest, but again no sensation loss just feel numb. Joints feel stiff Stomach area - Feel tingling around lapband and on the right side feel burning sensation/tingling down right side of stomach to abdomen frequently. Kidneys - I think I feel an ache in them. I seem to feel sore, and feel tingling in that area. Burning pulling sensation sometimes in the front. Abdomen - again burning/tingling sensation across belly button area and ovary area. Legs - right let feels heavy and numb. Its had edema for a couple years now. but never has been numb or heavy. Left leg tingling numb frmo buttocks down. Right leg the same. Even my genital areas get tingling numb. Toes/Feet - burning sensation on toes. stiff. but no sensation loss on toes or legs. no weakness or balance problems that have been found. recently felt I was dealing with some mild vertigo but did not know if it was the Neurotin Dr. Austin prescribed me. 800mg three times a day, but only taking it at night due to having to work. My prescriptons include: synthroid .150 two pills once a day Neurotin 800mg I only take at night Hydroxzine 25MG...as needed for anxiety given to me by my old PCP I was not depressed or suffering from anxiety prior to all of this happening. I was on top of the world. I was enjoying losing weight and doing things I had not been able to do. Then I hit this brick wall, and I feel like crap. I don't feel fatigued just tired off all the tingling, numbing burning sensations. I'm tired of my body feeling foreign. Has anyone had this occure with their lapband. I'm scared and tired. Everyone tells me not to take the band out. ....I'm so confused on what's causing this. I don't know what other options to persue.