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Wildabeast, I can't see anything there, other than the saltines, that would cause reactive hypoglycemia. Does your doctor offer any possible explanation? Has s/he suggested you journal your intake on a site such as fitday.com so that you can better assess how you're meeting your nutrient needs? Sometimes, it's helpful to see how many grams of Protein, etc., you're getting, because it can help you tweak things a bit. My doctor recommends 65 grams of protein/day. I have to tell you, I'd be a shaky mess if I stuck to that level--I aim for 100, and then I'm fine (even though I eat very low carb).

Carol, you're hungry because the band around your stomach does not yet restrict the flow of food from the little pouch at the top to the stomach below yet. As you work toward restriction with adjustments, you will have incremental improvement until you reach your sweet spot. Until then--yes, it is like dieting. But it will be the LAST time you are hungry in the name of weight loss! Wildabeast, can you post a typical day's worth of eating for us? Even if you've tested negative for hypoglycemia, you can be experiencing reactive episodes, and tweaking your intake can make a huge difference. (Oh--and 29 pounds since April, before having restriction? That's a great loss!) Peachpuffabilly--"fills" are adjustments of the band. The band is placed around the stomach to create a pouch. There is tubing to a port that is placed under the surface of the skin. For a period of months after the surgery (and periodically after that), your surgeon will access the port with a needle to inject saline into the tubing, which adjusts the pressure placed on the stomach by the band. This reduces the size of the stoma (hole) between the upper pouch and bottom portion of the stomach, slowing down the rate at which food leaves the pouch (and making you feel satisfied longer). (I hope that made sense!0

When I landed in the local ER after my motorcycle crash last summer, my band was *tight* from the trauma of broken bones and stress. The idiots in the ER tried to give me frigging Pepto Bismol as I told them I was banded and was complaining that I barely swallow my own spit, but I felt nauseated. I immediately got on my cel phone and called my band surgeon. I finally got an anti-nausea med that melted in my mouth and was OK after he told me to tell them what to give me. He said if necessary he'd walk them through the process. My point being that if trained medical ER staff aren't familiar and proficient with this process, what makes one think one can do it ones' self? Crazy talk. If you want to be a fill nurse, then get trained as a fill nurse and make it your new career. Don't go giving shite advice on a forum. Oh, and if you don't use huber needles on your port, it lessens the ability of the membrane to seal as you are cutting a "V" shape flap out of it. All the clinic staff has to do is X-ray or fluoro the port and see the 'whisker' like appearance left by the hypodermic needle versus the huber. There are new huber needles that look a lot like hypos, but aren't. I strongly suspect the RN suggesting her doctor is using a hypo *is* mistaken and is setting herself up for a leak, infection or a piece of the silicone membrane floating around in her abdomen. Pass, thank you. Be well. Ducati Bonnie

I'm also hypo, on Synthroid. I've lost 52 lbs since Oct 09 and my doctor said he was going to do some blood tests on my next visit (Oct) to see if they can lower the dosage. I talked to him about possibly getting off the meds once I reach my goal, but I guess I need them forever. It's not like diabetes - where if you eaqt properly and lose weight, you may not be a diabetic anymore. From what I understand, hypothyroidism doesn't go away with weight loss, you just need less of a dosage. Marci

I', hypo-and I have found that for me, it makes a big difference if I'm on my meds or not. I was off of my synthroid for 3 1/2 months due to money issues, and did not lose a pound during that time. I actually gained a couple. I was able to go back on it a couple weeks ago and I've dropped 10 lbs since. And the pills are small enough that I have not had a single problem swallowing them-I take pills larger than that, and my band is pretty tight.

hi, i am also hypo and while i was in the hospital they dissolved it for me but when i got home i called my doc for another reason but i asked if i could take it with out dissolving it and he said yes because its small enough it shouldnt get stuck. Im 3 weeks out and have had no problems. Good Luck!

Hello~ I am hypo too but haven't taken my meds since surgery because I was afraid to swallo them lol. So my question to all of you is, The pill doesn't get stuck? I was tld by my reg doctor to dilute the pill in a lil bit of water but it tasted nasty so I didn't do it again.

I'm hypo and actually had to have my meds increased since my levels TSH levels were rising instead of falling. It is now under control - but I didn't noticed any particular problems due to the fluctuation. Doc monitored it every 3 months and now every 6 to make sure it is in range.

I am hypo and was banded in feb 2010 and have lost only 26 pounds....its super frustrating because I work out and eat right for the most part and have decent restriction...i take 100 mcg of synthroid and just recently had my levels checked and they are fine...

I have hypo too- I have lost fairly steadily since being banded Nov. 2009. My levels have been where they should be. My doc. wants to keep an eye on it though- he said dosage is weight related.

Banded 11/24/2009. Weight loss only 22lbs. Just now (today) have good restriction after 6 fills. I take 75 mcg of Synthroid for Hypo. I believe the restriction has been what held up my weight loss; not the Hypo.

Thyroid disorder bandsters- curious as to if you think your thyroid complications hold up your weightloss with the band? Whats your overall opinion-- on how you work through it? I have Graves, but am hypothyroid now, treated with sinthrod and my levels seem to be stable for a year + now. There were quite a few bumps along the way to get physically heaalthy from all that. It certainly encouraged me to get banded since no matter what I kept a slow gain.... I was banded in March 2010, and loose 4lbs a month. Lots and lots of exercise, a healthy diet and finally better restriction- as I am a pretty new bandster. What is your average weight loss? Heaviest weight 244, Surgery weight 221, now I'm hovering at 204. If I knew how to set up a poll, I'd do one. Is anyone having better success? Did your meds require a different dosage as you lost? Any success secrets out there?

Coneflower- I have graves too and was treated with RAI to slow my thyroid. yep, it's gone... on sinthroid. I was banded in March 2010, and have been working really hard for every pound lost. I can barely muster -4 a month. Proper eating and lots and lots of exercise. I am up to 5cc's now, with better restriction- but I would think I'd be loosing more... I think I might post something today. I'm super curious what the loss rate is for bandsters with a thyroid diagnosis. Hyper, Hypo, they all suck. I'm just wondering if it is what makes me slow. I know the graves really messes with me, by my thyroid levels seem to be steady. Has anyone had thier sinthroid level lowered after weight loss? Take Care!

I have grave's...which is from hyperthyroid. At first I lost, then gained a bunch. My weight went up and down. Surgery...the band has helped so much...and I make sure to get my levels checked every 4 mths. I take my meds like I should(most of the time) which really helps. Having a thyroid disease can cause your weight to go up or down...whether your hypo or hyper. Everyone is different.

My doc said that as a precaution you should try to avoid putting lotion on the incision sites until you are a month out. He said if you must put lotion on it, try to use fragrance free, hypo allergenic lotion. He also said I could use aloe vera, which has worked out well. So, I use regular lotion on the non-incision parts of my stomach and aloe vera on the incisions. Oh, and he said that if the reason you want to put lotion on them is because they itch (as opposed to generally wanting to lotion your body), then you should use the aloe vera because it means your incisions are still trying to heal.

HI Ali! I am doing good! 5 days out. getting sick of eating the same crap....what shall I have for breakfast? yogurt? pudding? lol I am SUPER picky and will only eat that or the cream of mushroom soup so choosing from 3 things is rather BORING and sad! ha ha. alright my sleevesters!!!!!!!!! what else can I have? stage 2 is for 2 weeks! this sucks. ha ha. water is still an issue but Dr. Im said as long as I am peeing I am okay. ha ha. my neck is draining still but the antibiotics are helping this stupid thing looks better already! Thank god for keflex.. it's leaking plasma! ewww I am STILL waiting for neck, head, surgery to contact me. I should start saving it-I know they pay good MONEY for plasma now adays....and waiting for a disability check sucks. lmao!!!!!!!!!! :thumbup: Tina-yeah we ARE nightmares aren't we. :thumbdown:I feel ya on the panic attacks. I have them too. ohh and I have asthma and get chronic bronchitus and sinus infection like 8-10 a year! I am now alergic to EVERYTHING under the sun because of all the antibiotics I have taken. I get them soooo bad. I totally sympathize with you. You totally panic and that makes everything 1000 times worse. Well now we can grovel with eachother let me know what they do. I hear ya with all the breathing problems. I get sick SO much that I am always checking to see if I am sick. I am so nuts. lol. Everyone calls me hypo-but your not hypo when your always sick! It sucks. It's nice to know someone who has this same problem seriously!!! After I had my gallbladder taken out? They told me I was gonna die cause I had 5 clots on my lungs. I was actually diagnosed with PTS because of all the crap I went through. My hubby and I even split up at that time I went loopy! Thank god he eventually realized that was my mid-life crisis and took my crazy ass back. It was horrible. When the doctors say your not gonna make it-imagine what that does. man ohh man. anywho-so I am here if ya need someone to vent too! Medical nightmares together. :Banane20: awwww lol. BAND SUBJECT:Yeah ASH I was totally surprised when you showed me YOUR KAISER book. 1 in 6 people is a HUGE amount in people to get a revision!!!!!!!! I think it sucks that kaiser FREEMONT and KAISER RICHMOND's bariatric programs differ so much. I kinda like yours better Ash! They seem to tell you A LOT more. I was all gung-ho for the band in the begining like ash, ali, john, and I were. After doing research and hearing from other bandsters that made my decision. Even Dr. Im told me that he thought the band wasn't even a choice. I guess they have know for a while that they where phasing them out. My dad also JUST went and had his surgeon appointment. They didn't offer him the band! I just talked to him about his appointment. He had it a week ago and I asked him if the Doctor mentioned it and he said it's really not an option. I am HAPPY with my decision with the sleeve. I am SO surprised that I am recovering so QUICKLY! (knock on wood) My health isn't the greatest and I am always slow to heal ect...but 5 days out and I FEEL GREAT!!!!!!!! I HOPE THIS CONTINUES! I don't wanna JINX myself. I walk walk walk so that is proll helping greatly too. Then again it's all a personal choice! I am anxious to see what will happen! 10 POUNDS IN 5 DAYS!!!!!!!!!! YAY!!!!!!!!!! IF SOMEONE SAYS THAT ISN'T A MIRACLE THEN THEY ARE NUTS! LOL!

Mom, you have a sensitive and reactive stomach like I do. Your swelling will go down and as you lose wt the fat around your stomach under the band will melt and the band will get looser, less restrictive. I have been going through something similar and since I can get fluids dow I decided to ride the wave and lose as much as possible for now. Beware of switching to slider foods, though. Please keep posting about how you are doing. Mimi

I am happy to see this thread has been reactivated. My name is Llyra and I have thirteen years of clean time. My banding was done on March 3 of this year and I have lost 26 pounds with approximately 60 more to go. Until I got the second fill, I was afraid I was in line to be one of the lap band failures- the weight simply was not coming off. The second fill helped immensely as has a gradual adjustment to a new way of eating. I teach belly dance, garden and maintain two horses so exercise is not as big a problem for me as for some, though I do tend to spend too much time on the couch if I am feeling low. After six years of not attending meetings, I returned to the rooms in October. The catalyst was the death of a friend in a motorcycle accident. I saw so many old faces at his funeral and realized I missed them. Didn't expect to be recognized after so many years and a 75 pound weight gain, but I was welcomed back with open arms.

I was diagnosed with Graves in 2005. For a while I was a looser with Graves, then it turned and i gained. I was treated with RAI and went total hypo. It has taken years for the synthetic replacement to level off. I gained a bunch my weight post RAI. 40+, which they said shouldn't happen once my thyroid is balanced. If you are gaining with graves and treat it, you will probably gain if you get RAI. Graves sucks either way because you can only treat the symptoms not the disease. So even if you treat the thyroid, you can still get all the wacky autoimmune effects. Like hives, etc. I think if you are healthy, and thyroid is under control, you will be able to get the band. In my opinion, the sooner you start the journey, the better. Good luck!!!!

i have a lapband, was pregnant almost immediately after surgery, and now can finally get started losing... I am on a natural thyroid for hypo [slow] thyroid. They did have to raise my dosage during pregnancy to 2 grains 60mg i/o 1 grain 30mg. You will lose with the combo of medication, lapband, healthy eating, and exercise~ i walk and weightlift. I say go for it!!!

As I said to Jeannie in a PM...it has become increasingly clear to me that there are some people who seem to take advantage of the "distance protection" offered them by this internet form of communication, as a means to unleash their emotional reactivity, arrogance, negativity, immaturity, and general lack of manners. Let's try to remember that we are all here for support and encouragement, and be polite.

not my doctor! I have hypo thyroid and pcos....was banded 5/20....goodluck!

This article changed my whole outlook, I hope it is insightful for you. Long but worth reading! I am working with a coaching client who had put on about 30 extra pounds since reaching her I am working weight-loss- surgery goal. One of the actions she chose to take to begin to work on her problem was recording what she was eating. After two weeks of setting that goal and not meeting it, I suggested she explore what else might work for her. "But I want to record what I eat!" she said. "I'm just too embarrassed to write it down and share it with you." I assured her she was going to be sharing this information with someone who well understood her problem, someone who had been battling the food demon her whole life, as well. "Okay, so if I take my embarrassment out of the equation," she reasoned, "I'm still left with not wanting to admit what I'm eating. I don't want to give up the foods I love. I want to eat them anytime I want!" In the next breath she blurted out, "Why is it so hard to stop eating? I want to be thin. I don't want to go back to not being able to get out of a chair!" Eating anything you want, whenever you want, is not freedom. If you really think about it, eating with free abandon does not feel like freedom for people who struggle with compulsive eating. In fact, being a prisoner to food thoughts and mindless eating 24/7 can be miserable. Trapped by cravings and food thoughts, a person will conduct their daily business and make their daily decisions based on the eating they want to do. "I can't go to the play tonight," you might say. "I am not feeling well. I think I'm coming down with something." But, what you are thinking may be, "I want to eat the rest of the bread I bought today. With butter! But, I'll have to pace myself. It will take me all evening to eat it." Does this scenario paint a picture of a person who is experiencing freedom? Or does the bread have then trapped? After weight loss surgery, many people get into the habit of grazing, or eating small amounts frequently. That's what my client was doing. She mistakenly believed grazing was a way to be free from the shackles of dieting and food plans. And she hated diets and food plans! Unstructured eating, however, can quickly lead to eating unhealthy foods in unhealthy portions. (Yes, even if you tell yourself you'll never go back to the unhealthy foods you used to eat.) A rebelliousness exists inside most overeaters, and they don't want to give up their freedom to choose what to eat and when. Step back, though and give yourself the "Dr. Phil" treatment. Ask yourself, "And how well is my rebellious attitude working for me? It's time to live in the solution. Many people who struggle with their weight never lose obsessive thoughts about food, but that's partly because they are not living in the solution. The people who are the most successful at breaking free from the burden of unhealthy eating, have transitioned from being rebellious (reactive) to responsible (proactive). They spend some time planning. They establish a routine with boundaries around their eating, so that they don't get carried away. Ironically, when you add some structure to your eating by making a food plan for the day, an amazing sense of freedom can set in - freedom FROM compulsive eating. So, if you're struggling with obsessive food thoughts and overeating, make a food plan today. Write it down and refer to it often. Give yourself the gift of one day of freedom from overeating. Oh, and the "rebellious" client I've been working with has lost 6 pounds already. She told me, "I'm amazed at how much less I obsess about food now that I make my plan every morning. I just write down what I'm going to eat for the day, and then I go live my life." Want to Reprint this Newsletter? If you'd like to reprint any part of this newsletter, do so with the following credit: From Small Bites, the email newsletter for the National Association for Weight Loss Surgery. Inc. All rights reserved.

I got one of every class to 80 (and got many of them epic/raid gear), then got bored and quit. Now I'm addicted to LotRO, but I'm also finding that my newfound energy due to weight loss is pulling me outside a lot more! I used to play mostly PVE on Baelgun. Look up Drhfuhruhurr (80 Warlock) sometime. When Cataclysm comes out, I may reactivate my accounts long enough to bring my 80 Pally (my favorite) to 85...

Oh I am in for sure but have to figure out how to set up my PM. I need to update my account setting I will work on that this afternoon. YOu have Dr. Baggs everyone likes him and likes going in to see him. :-) I love talking to him because he really gets it. I always tell him things are easy when he sets goals (than don't make them) and he wants me to quit saying that!! LOL. He keeps telling me nothing about this is easy don't keep saying that!! I am registered over at Obesity.com but haven't checked in a year or so. I might need to reactivate my account again. WHat is going on over there?? SO Bella 25 is about 8 pounds a month........Maybe I should do that as well. It is probably more realistic than the 30 I would like!! I can't keep getting discouraged by setting outlandish goals it has been a whole 7 months of that. I need some successes to keep me moving! forward! :-) I think Pam is right small goals ......so if you instead of 25 pounds focus on the 8 X 3 or if you want to break it down more 2 pounds a week.................LOL. Yea Bella I will do the 25 pounds too that seems health and realistic..........and if I end up with more I won't complain! :-) That would still but me firmly under 200! I am lacto ovo vegetarian. And yep I am on top of the vitamins. Even when I was gaining weight I stuck with the vitamins......... Getting ready to watch Invitus and fold laundry.......trying to give myself an incentive to get the housework done!! LOL.