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Welcome!! I hope the surgery helped your MS. I have autoimmune disease and chronic pain myself and was sleeved just this past November 24th Welcome to bariatric pal

I just realized you said you got a surgery date not the surgery itself yet!! Sorry! Congratulations!!! I've been told for some unknown reason these surgeries often reset and really help reduce symptoms of autoimmune disease so maybe that will happen for you too

Hi y'all, I'm Debbie and I just saw my doc for the first time today. Kinda looking forward to this but kinda scared too. Why am I doing this? Well, in 2002 I broke my tailbone and crushed my lower back. By the time I was fused 13 months later, the surgery failed. Called "Failure to Thrive". Basically means I'm in chronic pain. Because of the way I landed I was told I started a domino effect which is causing my discs to disintegrate known as Disintegrating Disc Disease. All my discs have failed. To help with this I have had 2 Neurostimulators implanted. Yes, I am a Borg. Lol. A few years ago I was seeing a doctor 3x's a week for spinal shots and he unintentionally overdosed me with Vitamin D, which I am apparently allergic to in high doses. Go figure. Well, I ended up with Hashimoto's Hypothyroid Autoimmune Disease. Yay me! Like the back wasn't enough I guess. Yeah. Hashimoto's see's the thyroid as a foreign object to be attacked by the immune system. Unfortunately, I gained a bunch of weight. (55 pounds!!!). On top of already being chubby. and it won't stay controlled or stabilize!! I either sleep all the time or I'm awake for days. I had lost 65 pounds just before all that happened. It's just about broke my heart. Anyway, I went to my pain management doc for more pain shots. But because I told her I was having chest pains she told me I had to see a Cardio doc first. I told her my a Endocrinologist said that was normal with Hashimoto's, she's like nope. Heart doc. So I went. The first thing the Cardio doc said was a Gastric Sleeve to control the thyroid. Boy. What a moment. What a thought. Who knew?? So where I am, 10 days later starting my 6 month journey to surgery. So glad y'all are here!!!

since I am following a strict autoimmune protocol I do live life sugar and flour free and it is easy peasy! *white* sugar, and *white* flour are pure poison to my body and the effects are immediate and painful. Instead, it's all about the stevia, the coconut sugar, and ground flaxseed/hemp flour or almond meal or ground chia. Not only do I never have to give up my cakes, now I also don't have to deal with refined white food coma!

Thanks @@JustWatchMe - I really appreciate it! I can't have lap band because not recommended with autoimmune disease (and definitely no NSAIDs).

I am definitely with Daisee on this one. Autoimmune illnesses hide themselves until your body is stressed and then they show themselves. I have both psoriatic arthritis and Graves' disease. My Mom had rheumatoid arthritis. If it turns out to be RA, there are a lot of great biologics that stop the progression and take away the symptoms. I take biologics for my psoriatic arthritis and it has really helped my disease.

I have psoriatic arthritis. I stopped the plaquenil about a month before surgery, and haven't taken it since. I have tried to leave off the mobic, but I just can't. My right pinkie DIP joint is so swollen and the rheumatologist said it is totally deformed and will always be. I think this is from stopping the mobic. It's a tough decision, ruin the stomach, or have enormous joints...I figured the fingers would be likt this eventually, so be it. My back pain is nearly gone, and foot pain is not too bad. I have had no immune problems with having a foreign object in the body. Dr says they implant these in people with autoimmune diseases all the time. It's tough to put the NSAID's into the stomach though as you know it isn't a good thing. I guess it's a tradeoff that has to be done...

Hi all- Not sure if this is the proper place for this posting but wasn't sure where to put it, so please forgive me if it's in the wrong spot. I started this lab band process in September and am moving forward with pre-op testing and insurance approval. Unfortunately in the mean time I have learned that I have rheumatoid arthritis. So since this is such a fabulous place for answers and support I'm wondering if there is anyone out here who has RA and what if any affect that has had on the fact that your banded. RA is an autoimmune disease and my concern is with putting a foreign object into my body it will kick my immune system into overdrive making my RA worse. Any thoughts?? :help:

I was told that if you have an autoimmune problem then you are not a good candidate for the Lapband. That your insurance will disquality you.

One of the reasons is that liquids help push foods through the much smaller stomach quicker, therefore possibly not allowing the 'fullness/restriction' to kick in. A weight loss surgeon demonstrated this on youtube, I can't remember which surgeon though, I can't imagine a small sip here and there would have too much impact, but full on drinking fluids when eating would. My body produces very little saliva due to autoimmune issues, I suffer with dry mouth, occasionally I need to take a sip to help swallow dry meats. But its only the smallest of sips. Mostly though I manage fine without drinking while eating and typically wait at least 20 to 30 minues before drinking anything.

Hi there. I'm new. I've been researching, considering WLS for the past couple of months. I learned my insurance won't cover, so Mexica may be an option if I move forward. As I complete my health history for one clinic, I am wondering who is going to do surgery on a 60-year-old in poor health? Yet, I understand so many candidates receive surgery because of their health. - I've been hypothyroid for 20 years, which has progressed now to autoimmune thyroid. - I've had several surgeries over the years. Mainly: two cesareans, hysterectomy, hernia repair, gallbladder removal, pacemaker. I also have asthma, and neuropathy in feet due to degenerative disc disease. I've been referred to Mayo Clinic for what my doctor believes are autoimmune-related issues. Has anyone here been denied surgery due to health/age? I am considering WLS to help with health issues after I visit Mayo Clinic. I was told by one reputable clinic in Mexico I would not be a candidate for the sleeve; I'd need a gastric bypass if accepted. Getting this weight off (goal of about 85 lbs.) would help with arthritis and autoimmune, etc. Anyone have similar experience? I look at my application and realize I may just be beyond the scope of consideration. I'd appreciate some feedback. Thank you! I wish you all well in your journey!

I have battled with this for going on 13 years now, only diagnosed for about 9. It is a very very frustrating disease! I was told for years I was crazy and nothing was wrong with me. I gained so much weight for no reason and was told I was lying about what I was eating so i gave up. They finally diagnosed me with it and it took 6 years of constant all over the place tsh readings. I finally ended up on 200 mcg. I am 18 months post op from my sleeve and just found out in severely hyperthyroid now( and still 20 lbs over weight wtf is that!?). I also just got tested for celiac's. There is a strong correlation between gluten sensitivity and autoimmune disease. The gluten causes inflammation . It also causes the hashimotos to flair up and not be well controlled. I wish someone had told me this 10 years ago and maybe I wouldn't have gotten to 260 lbs and had to be sleeved! Look into the gluten thing, I've been told by many it helps. I am removing it from my diet starting this week!

Bandednomore, I am glad that you posted your condition and the suspected cause of your gastroparesis. There are a lot of complications that people have that might not be "typical', but it doesn't mean that they ARE NOT caused by the band. There are several people on here, including me who have had other symptoms--similar to autoimmune disorders and after having the band removed, the symptoms disappeared. It doesn't mean that it was caused by the band, but it doesn't mean that it wasn't just because it isn't typical. Unless someone is a doctor and has performed surgery and CARED for literally thousands of band patients, then I don't consider them an expert. Having a band for years doesn't make a person an expert because everyone's bodies are different and will react differently. You might be an expert on your own case, but not any body else's.:thankyou: Best wishes to you, Tricia H

I haven't had surgery yet so I'm not currently having the problem I keep reading about,,losing your hair. I have a thyroid disease and have had to be on chemo treatments before due to an autoimmune disease..I really don't want to lose more hair. Is there anything that can prevent it from happening or something I can do now to prepare my body for the change?

I am so excited to finally be scheduled for surgery! My date is Feb 28! WOOHOO! I have been attending a WLS support group weekly and finished up all my classes in December. Took FOREVER (not really but it sure felt like forever lol) to finally get my mental health eval. Went through an almost 600 question test prior to seeing the psychologist. 2 weeks later I saw the doctor for my in person visit. I was slotted for 90 minutes and was out of there in 15! He basically asked if I had questions and said a few things to make sure I was ready for the changes ahead. The doctor said he would put in my report by the end of the week (my appt was on a Wednesday). I jokingly told him he still had 1 hour and 15 minutes slotted for my appt so he had plenty of time to write up my report Well apparently thats what he did haha. The group I had been going to all said it would take at least 2 weeks out from that appt before I would be scheduled to meet with a surgeon. The day after my appt, I got a call from surgery asking if I could be there Friday morning. UM YEAH! Of course I would be there I was terrified going into the appt, hoping I would like the doctor since he is not the one I orginally wanted. Well his intern started to scare me a bit. He was suggesting that I might be better off with the RNY. NO WAY did I want that surgery and my family would have flipped if I switched to it anyways. He was going on and on about how I could lose 10% more of my weight, well no thank you, at my weight its not worth the addition risks to lose a few extra lbs. So he went off to get the doctor, now I had read up on him already, everyone said he was a great surgeon but had a bad bedside manner. What do I care about that though?? All I care is that he knows what hes doing. Well I thought he was great. He is very direct, he doesnt sugar coat things, which is great! I appreciated that he was so straight forward with his expectations of me and what I can expect from him too. He is very conservative in his treatment and repeatedly told me if I have any issues post surgery to make sure to contact him ASAP and not to play the waiting game with anything. He is also putting me on blood thinners for 30 days. Normally he only has patients with my BMI do it while in the hospital and saves the blood thinners at home for patients with a BMI over 50 but because I had issues with clotting in pregnancy with no known cause (all my labs for clotting and autoimmune disorders were fine) he thinks its best to just play it safe and do 30 days worth. I really did like him and felt totally at ease with the surgery once I left my appt. Most the doctors at the hospital only require a 1-3 day liquid diet pre surgery but he requires 2 weeks sooooo now Im trying to prepare myself for that. Im going to start it on the 15th because there is no way Im starting it on Valentines day lol. Ive started buying Protein drinks, bought AMP today to try, hoping its not too terrible, especially since its on sale at GNC right now Anyways, move on over people, I'm ready to join you all on the losers bench

Due to an autoimmune issue I produce very little saliva and have permanent dry mouth. There are various products from mouth mousse, gel, toothpaste, gum, mouth wash and things like the melts that can help. For me, I sip lots of water and swish around, occasionally I dabble in the various products but mostly rely on fluids. You could also try stimulating the mouth by running your tongue around it, especially the roof of the mouth, this helps to produce a littlle saliva too. If you are aren't producing saliva or a lot of saliva the first step in digestion is compromised, digestive enzymes may help with that.

Hi Everyone!!! I am in the initial stages of my weight loss journey. I'm scared, yet excited! My weight has been an issue since I was a small child. I can remember starting Weight Watchers for the first time, when I was in the 5th grade. Even though I've always had "a beautiful face", my weight seems to be what people have judged me by. I've accomplished a lot in my life, but yet my weight has kept me from being everything I can be. It's time for change. Back in 2002, when I was 39 years old, I joined Weight Watchers (again). This time it stuck and I lost about 110 lbs. I worked really hard at it and the only way I could lose the weight and maintain it was to workout 5-6X a week, for about 2 hours a time. In 2003, I made a huge change in my life and joined the Army! Who joins the Army at 40??? I'm now convinced I was having a mid-life crisis and instead of buying a convertible and getting my hair cut, I joined the Army. All joking aside, it was the best decision I have ever made! I love(d) the Army! I was serving my Country and providing a service to my brothers and sisters-in-arms. I am a Dr. of Audiology, and I knew the #1 and #2 disabilities from the global war on terrorism, was hearing loss and ringing in the ears. I wanted to serve my Country. I was very proud of myself. Here I was this girl who always had a weight problem, but now I was fit enough to be in the Army. I felt very accomplished. I had convinced myself that I would NEVER return to being an obese person and I actually kept off the weight until 2012. In 2012, I returned from a combat tour to Afghanistan. While in the "sandbox", I was hurt in a vehicle accident. I injured both shoulders, my left hip and back. When I came back to the good ol' USA, I was sent to a wounded warrior unit. I spent the next 2 1/2 years getting "fixed". During these 2 1/2 years, I had 5 orthopedic surgeries, received care for PTSD and was diagnosed to have Rheumatoid Arthritis, which is an autoimmune disease. Between no longer being able to workout, being placed on an anti-depressant and taking large amounts of steroids, I quickly gained 50 lbs. I started a downward spiral. My commitment to myself to never return to being obese, was shattered. I am the only one to blame. Even though I have numerous anchors in my body from surgery, I still deal with pain every day. This weight is only making it worse. This is what brought me to the decision that I need bariatric surgery. I was medically retired from the Army, but I still receive all my benefits. My Army doctor has been very supportive in my desire for surgery. With his blessings and referral, I am now on my way! I'm very thankful I found this site, and I look forward to posting my progress and cheering on my new friends! Thank you everyone for just being you! Bonnie (Army MAJ retired)

Hi all, My surgery is in a few hours and I have a lot of feelings. I'm doing it just in case I need a kidney transplant, and my doctor is hopeful that it would actually get me off of dialysis. I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder this summer that damaged my kidneys. I'd just like people to share a few ways this surgery has positively impacted their health. I need some positive vibes this morning. I think this is the right decision, but it's still tough. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I have neuropathy as a result of an autoimmune disease I had. When I have pain in my legs it can be very hard to get to sleep and before surgery I was able to manage on Tylenol PM. After surgery, I asked our pharmacist and she recommended Children's Liquid Benedryl. It has the same effect as the Tylenol PM, but in a liquid form. Works for me and can actually use less than the pill form,

I have a colleague who can't deal with overhearing others compliment me. She would actually chime in any time people asked me how I lost it. "she had surgery". Yes, it was meant to help with my many autoimmune diseases. That was all I had ever shared with her and others at work. I would always add, "And I'm eating 800 calories a day." She's a bitch. She gives me "elevator eyes" when she sees me, scanning me up and down, and like Scarlett O'Hara, she is just "pea-green with envy". I look fabulous--no apologies on my part. BTW, in the gay community, an otter is a thin, muscular, hairless (chest/body) man. I have a good friend that is described as an otter. I have never once considered licking cheesecake off him. Would add an awkward dimension to our friendship, I would imagine!

Hi everyone, This is my first time on this site, and I'm not even sure if I'm posting a question in the right area! Over the past few weeks I have SERIOUISLY been considering the LAP-BAND® surgery. I feel like once I decided I've had ENOUGH being extremely overweight, this surgery and new way of life is all I can think about! I've been reading up on any information I can find over the past few weeks, however I can not find a definite answer to one important question I have. I was diagonised with Graves Disease, (hyperthyroidism) about six months ago. (I'm one of the lucky 5% that GAINS weight...) I'm taking thyroid medication right now. Also, I was lucky enough to finally confirm I have PCOS. No excuses... but obviously it is extremely hard for me to lose weight! I'm nervous I won't be approved for the LAP-BAND® since I have a Thyroid disease, which is technically autoimmune. Was/is anyone out there in the same boat as me? ANY information or guidance is greatly appreciated. Thanks! Marie :thumbup:

Do not get a lap band if their is s family history of autoimmune disorder's.

I went on January 16 for gastric bypass. I woke up about an hour after being put under to a nurse in the recovery area telling me they did not complete my surgery because of complications. I have multiple adhesions and my intestines are stuck together so much that my anatomy does not look like it should. My surgeon did not want to complete the surgery until I could be told. He has given me the option to have him do a sleeve or for him to refer me out to someone who still does open bypass surgery. I cannot explain the mind f**k this was and the anxiety I am feeling. This is terrible. I knew something was going to happen or be found. I knew that I was right. Something was going to be found that would explain the symptoms I had had for years at this point. These adhesions do not show up on scans of any sort unless you have an obstruction. I have only had one other surgery in my abdomen and it was a laparoscopic appendectomy 10 years ago. He thinks it stems from chronic inflammation and autoimmune **** that I have. Has anybody had an open procedure for bypass? What's your experience? Or has anyone been opened up and not finished? Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using BariatricPal mobile app

I have autoimmune problems so I've heard alot of terms,,have you ever heard of leukoplakia? It can be caused by low Vit A, B-12, C & folic acid among alot of other conditions or bad habits such as smoking or drinking (not that you do..just saying). I've had this condition before due to prednisone. It's also called,,don't laugh.."hairy tongue"...yours may be something different but just sounds similar the way you describe it.

Jodi, Have you been tested for autoimmune(sp?) disorders? They can be anthing from APS to Will's, but there are a couple types of arthritis and Lupus that can cause the symptoms you have, including the kidney trouble and depression. The only problem is that they can be tricky to find. Alot of Dr.s will chalk it up to being overweight and not look for underlying causes. And the blood test are not always accurate. For example the test for Lupus (ELSA panel) will come back negitive for 30% of people who have the disorder. If you can, take the time to see a good endocrinologist, and surf the web and see if the symptoms sound like you. Good Luck