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I have to be pretty careful what I do eat before not-eating for a while/fasting. Anything that spikes my insulin response (that can include too much protein or something with hidden sugar like carby bread) and I'm guaranteed reactive hypoglycaemia three hours later. I hate it! But if I'm good, I'm fine. I'm doing 18:6 fasting no probs if I make sensible choices and I'm so attune to hypos I can sense when they are coming pretty early on and then I pop a glucose tablet or take a teaspoon of maple syrup. I've got it down to a fine art because I HATE hypos (T2 diabetic in remission here).

I can't say yet that I've been around the block on this journey but I can talk about my experience with dumping. I started in the hospital during recovery when they gave me two cups of Apple sauce. Me thinking it was ok since I was in the hospital ate it. After that time I worked on figuring out how much sugar I could have and it worked out to around 3 to 5 grams. Not much and it did catch me sometimes when I didn't read a label. It wasn't long before it figured out that dumping was a great way to loss weight and stop the hard bowel movements. I progressed this way for around six months and then the dumping stopped. In its place came reactive hypoglycemia. It's a terrible sickening feeling and forces me to stay away from strong sweets. I'm not saying this will happen to you because many of us don't get dumping I'm just telling you my experience. Best of luck to you.

Long time member but i haven't posted anywhere in ages, but I used to be on the Lapband board. I was a long time very successful band patient i was orginally banded in Jan 02 (in Canada, pre FDC approval) lost weight at a great rate. My first band (Innamed) slipped a total of 3 times before it came out for six months, I also had surgeries to move my port and another because my tubing disconnect. Next we went to the J&J band and it was great until it slipped badly, I had it for about 6-7 years and it worked like a charm, restriction was great most of the time, lost to my goal size and then it self tightened and i left it there because of travel, personal stress etc and i thought it would release on its own when i went for a defill it completely slipped around my esophagus and it was horrible. With the J&J I had a port revision surgery in there too. Then we tried a 3rd band it never worked right, I couldn't get restriction because if we did more than i had instant reflux etc. I revised to the sleeve last week with a new surgeon in Philadelphia who told me the band was basically around my esophagus and i had no pouch which is why I had no restriction and why I could not be tightened any more. But I lost about 150 lbs in 12-16 months and maintained that loss for 10 years plus, with little to no effort. In the meantime because of the band with no restriction, some prescribed evil steroids that I had to take that put 30lbs on me in a matter of 8 days... (they change your brain chemistry in weird ways) hashimoto's disease (hypo thyroid) fluctuations for the last few years and a few other things I gained about 70-80 lbs that I could not lose weight I tried. I went gluten free and dairy free, nada, I tried the HCG diet lost 20 lbs gained it back and generally I don't eat more than 1500-1700 calories per day including when I am drinking wine, eating out 3 meals a day etc. I hired a trainer, almost went paleo not quite. Now in talking to my surgeon he has said there are new studies showing band patients 9-12 years out who suddenly gain weight they can't lose for love nor money. They try everything and it won't come off more restriction, calories restriction etc. So we made a joint strategic decision to go to the sleeve since I knew the risk, what type of lifestyle change I was in for, portion control etc. wouldn't be a problem since i had it already. In our conversations we talked a lot about Ghrelin which is produced in the stomach and it makes you hungry, when you are feeling that craving to overeat or binge typically it is ghrelin and obese people produce more ghrelin than non obese people typically with some exceptions. We also talked about leptin which makes you feel satiated and is produced in the brain. With the sleeve, about 70-90% of the ghrelin produced is surgically removed with the part of the stomach they remove. i am curious have you noticed a difference in how hungry you get, cravings and the satiation of cravings ie: I can eat two bites of cake vs. I want the whole cake now? Have you also noticed the full feelings getting different than before from the leptin. My surgeon has said in his conversations with his patients they noticed their cravings reduced which helps them with portion control and in making better choices which helps a number of other things. In other words the brain and stomach don't conspire to make cheetos seem like a great dinner choice or ben and jerry your best friend. Overall I eat very healthy without a ton of junk food in my life we cook at home, we make our own stocks and Soups etc. to help get me through the liquids phase. But we do eat well and drink wine, we might be foodies (we are told we are, I just like trying new things). I have never eaten out of control even with the last band and no restriction just trying to lose weight has been terrible, depressing and frustrating. Especially after my first experiences which was I lost well, ate well, exercised and it worked like it was supposed too. I am a consultant and I travel for my job excessively so hence the eat out three meals a day most of the time I don't have a choice in that, but you can make healthy choices even in eating out and I do. I look at fats and calories along with Proteins and make good choices. Any thoughts you have I would appreciate and any advice you have I would love to read. Thanks for reading and good luck

I STILL eat snacks at 4.5 years out. I have to eat something every 3-4 hours to a) keep myself from overdoing it at meals and 2) keep my blood sugar stable. It's been known to crash & burn (reactive hypoglycemia).

I think the number had greatly improved recently. Especially since we have move to an accountable healthcare system. Pretty much means we need to prevent diseases instead of treating them with meds. Best way to prevent most common diseases, diabetes, HBP, GERD, sleep apnea, joint pain... etc. is weight loss. It's being proactive instead of reactive.

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!

Okay well I am really confussed here. Every since surgery my blood sugar has been in range and as the weight comes off I thought I was done with checking my blood. Well last week I started feeling funny. I passed it off with stress since my hubby was reactivated and we are making a 1200 mile move to Texas. My husband left Saturday and we will follow at the end of the month. So I'm stressed. Okay well yesterday I thought maybe it is my blood sugar so I checked and it was 140. In past weeks/months it has been under 120. Last night before bed it was 202. This morning 160. WHAT IS UP WITH THIS? Do I call the doctor? Wait? What do I do??? I have not taken any of my meds since surgery. Has my diabet come back? Okay I will admit that I have not been eatting real good and maybe not all my fluids but I have been eatting and not sugar??? Any suggestions?? THANKS!

Wow! ((hugs)) You've been through the wringer backwards haven't you?!!! I don't know the answer to your question, but I do know you must do something. It can't hurt to start the process and schedule in a teaching hospital if possible. That way you may have more access to the surgeon to ask your questions. I do know you need to have your med issues sorted out prior to surgery...especially when they deal with thyroid and psych meds. But I don't think it's impossible. But I'm just a schmoe on the internet that makes crap up all damn day! I'm hypo. Take endocrine therapy to keep me in cancer remission. Have so many comorbidities and am on 3 bp drugs and still fight with blood pressure every day. My metabolism is crap. But I'm pursuing this surgery with the hopes that I will have a metabolic reset that might make it easier to lose the weight. Hang in there and congrats on fighting your way through the massive grief you've experienced. You're a fighter and survivor!!!

Here is where you weigh out the risks. I bet the risk of getting reactive hyperglycemia is a lot lower than the risk of weight related heart issues, diabetes, knee and back issues... etc etc etc. So, weigh out the risks and make the call. Personally, some ultra rare issue that almost no one experiences... isn't enough of a risk to outweigh all the things that WILL happen if one continues to be overweight.

CHART 1 Correlation of nutrient deficiency and its cutaneous repercussions NUTRIENT Biotin Alopecia, glossitis, keratosis pilaris, periorificial dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis and erythroderma Copper Depigmented and thinning hair, alopecia, delayed wound healing Iron Pallor, koilonychia, glossitis, alopecia Selenium Delayed wound healing, psoriasis, skin cancer Vitamin A or Retinol Xeroderma, acne, brittle hair, and keratotic follicular papules most commonly in the anterolateral surface of thighs and arms, which may spread to the extensor areas of the upper and lower limbs, shoulders, abdomen, dorsal region, buttocks and neck; phrynoderma Vitamin B2 or Riboflavin Mucositis, lip and angular cheilitis, glossitis, xerosis, seborrheic dermatitis, scrotal and vulvar eczema, erythroderma and toxic epidermal necrolysis. Vitamin B3 or Niacin Pellagra, photosensitive dermatitis in symmetric areas, cheilitis, glossitis. Vitamin B5 or Pantothenic acid Purpura, leukotrichia, seborrheic dermatitis, angular stomatitis and glossitis. Burning feet syndrome. Vitamin B6 or Pyridoxine Seborrheic dermatitis, glossitis, oral mucosa ulceration, lip and angular cheilitis, photosensitive pellagra-like lesions Vitamin B9 or Folic acid and B12 or Cobalamin Lip or angular cheilitis, Hunter's glossitis; diffuse, symmetric hair and mucocutaneous hypo-and hyperpigmentation Vitamin C or Ascorbic acid Poor wound healing, keratosis pilaris, perifollicular petechiae, ecchymosis, purpura, brittle hair, scurvy (gingivitis, bleeding gums, keratosis pilaris), Sjogren-like syndrome Vitamin D Atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, skin infections, acne, autoimmune cutaneous diseases and skin cancer. Vitamin E Atopic dermatitis, acne. Vitamin K Purpura, petechiae, ecchymosis, hematoma Zinc Acrodermatitis enteropathica (alopecia, acral and periorificial symmetric, erosive and eczematous rash), dry, brittle and thinning hair, delayed wound healing, paronychia, stomatitis, psoriasiform dermatitis, blepharitis, angular cheilitis, vitiligo-like lesions Protein Aged appearance, erythematous or hypopigmented lesions most evident in flexure areas; hyperchromic lesions with smooth, fissured or erosive surface; brittle, slow growing nails, onychomadesis; follicular hyperkeratosis, pale extremities accompanied by edema; dry, brittle, dull, and thin hair, with brownish-red color before becoming grayish-white, flag signal with alternating dark and light stripes in the hair; angular cheilitis, xerophthalmia, stomatitis, vulvovaginitis

Hi fellow tall sleevers! I am 6'1" and was 325 pre-op and 288 this morning so down 37 lbs 6 weeks post-op. I hope to reach 220 eventually. I am very shapely but carry most of my weight in my butt, hips and thighs. I also am hypo-thyroid so I expect my weight-loss to be slower than some. Now that I'm starting to eat more types of food it has already slowed to about 1.5 lbs a week as apposed to 4.5 a week. Kinda bummed by the slower loss rate but as long as I'm losing it's OK. I think it's true people often don't realize that a tall body can carry a lot of extra weight and not look like people's idea of what "fat" people look like. I had a couple of nurses who were involved in my pre-op testing say that I didn't look "fat enough" for the surgery. But my BMI definitely qualified me. I try very hard not to compare my weight or weight-loss to others but it happens inevitably. Right now I think I've left the honeymoon stage and am in the nitty-gritty stage of having to work at my weight loss. Pre-sleeve I would have been sabotaging myself by now! Sent from my iPhone using VST

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

From what I have read Reactive hypoglycemia is something to be aware of. Google it...can't post link here.

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

Ms. Dee your honesty is nothing short of inspirational! Just amazing. Soooo, time to step up and share embarrassing stories. This one is a beaut! I seldom dump but when I do it's late stage dumping - aka reactive hypoglycemia. Too much simple carbs (white rice) or too much sugar (I dumped once on grapes for Pete's sake) and two to three hours after eating my sugars drop like a rock in a pond. I mean REALLY drops. First time it happened I checked my blood sugar and it was 37. Now I know this. I know the symptoms. I know the cause. I even know the "cure" - I eat just about anything with sugar in it and in 15 minutes I'm absolutely fine. So a couple of weeks ago my wife and I had been running some post holiday errands. We finally get home and I'm thinking "I am so going to have a glass of wine". But we have some leftover eggnog and my wife says she'd love an eggnog with a little Captain Morgan's spiced rum and a dash of nutmeg. Wow. Why didn't I think of that? I think I'll join you! So I have my rum laced glass of eggnog and guys I have to tell you, it was like the nectar of life. I knocked down that first eggnog in about a minute and a half. Honey, you ready for another one? I go to make us a second round and I'm thinking the only problem with this plan is that my glass just isn't big enough for "the nectar of life". No problem! We've got some of those Dixie plastic cups. You guys know the ones, bright red, hold 16oz. Perfect size for the nectar of life right? Eggnog, check. Rum, check. Can't forget the dash of nutmeg, check. About an hour to an hour and a half later I fell asleep watching TV. Another hour or so later my wife wakes me up - "time for bed." Right behind you Honey! So I stand up and right away I'm thinking I don't feel so good. Cold sweats, my whole body has the shakes - you dumb a** you're dumping! On the nectar of life no less. Bummer. But hey, I'm on my way to bed. I'll just grab my Vitamins and hit the sack. So I get my vitamins down and... The next thing I remember I'm sitting (sort of) on the floor of our kitchen. My little plastic box that used to have my vitamins in it is sitting on the floor in my general vicinity. The vitamins that used to be in my little plastic box are - well, everywhere. It looked like my little plastic box had exploded in a shower of Vitamin shrapnel. My black lab is sniffing her way through the carnage to see if there's anything that would appeal to her meat-o-saurus taste buds. Fortunately, she apparently is not a vitamin kind of girl. Then she realizes that Dad is awake and on "her floor" so of course it's time for black lab kisses. LOTS of black lab kisses. So I'm sitting there trying to breathe while avoiding lab tongue in my mouth. I'm thinking. If I tell my wife about this, I'm dead. No, I'm worse than dead. She is not going to be amused. Then it comes to me - she's already upstairs in bed. Probably asleep already. You dummy, don't tell her! Pick up the vitamins, swear the lab to secrecy, life is good. Good plan! And it would have worked too. Except for one little detail. Apparently on my way to my unscheduled meeting with the floor, the kitchen trash can got in my way. The metal, kitchen, trash can. The one that now looks surprisingly like I drove my car into it. Wonder if she'll notice? Maybe I could blame it on the dog (sorry Libbi!)? She noticed. And sure enough, she was not amused. I survived. But it was touch and go there for a while. And the nectar of life? Never, ever again. Hey, I ain't no fool! Come on you guys. You know you want to. Dee shared her's. I shared mine. Let's hear some of those embarrassing stories!

I have the sleeve and I developed reactive Hypoglycemia after surgery as well. And I have passed out...I have to watch what I eat now all the time..Well it feels like I am eating all the time too.... gee gads!

I’m 11.5 months post op and I have lost 175 lbs total since this process. Starting weight was 358, surgery day weight was 331, current weight 183! Prior to my surgery, I was terrible at logging food, exercising regularly, and had a terrible relationship with food (addiction, portion control, etc). Of course I knew what to do conceptually but the follow through was the issue. I told myself (and truly believe) that the surgery was not the fix! It’s just a tool! A tool that allows me to fix the broken things. What I’m getting at is, although logging food is “difficult”, it’s necessary! You have to be willing do do things differently and consistently if you want to reach your goals. Set up your environment to help you be more consistent: meal plan, log your planned foods the night before or first thing in the morning. Proactivity rather than reactivity is key! I treat my food log like I budget my finances, I track input and output and plan ahead! You got this! You just have to tell yourself you’ll do what it takes. The habits that got you in this situation won’t get you out of it! Embrace your second chance at becoming the best version of yourself and focus on the inputs and the desired outputs will happen! Don’t be afraid to consult your medical team and seek mental health help if need be. We all decided we can’t do it on our own which is why we took this journey. You owe it to yourself to be better than you think you can be! Good luck!

Hello Everyone! I just created my bariatricpal account. I am 5'2 and 1/2. I'm curious if they will base my BMI off of 5'2 or 5'3. I'm also right around the 200lb mark, give or take a few pounds. I am hoping to get approved for the surgery because I am 35 and already on medicine for high blood pressure and I'm hypo thyroid which makes it a b*itch to get the weight off. I'm getting mixed reactions from my family about deciding to meet with a weight loss surgeon. I just really want to be healthy for years to come. I don't want to follow my father's path and end up having heart issues in my later years. I just wanted to say hello and I look forward to being involved with this group. I want to thank each and everyone one of you for being on here to get support and provide support! You are my friend!

Do you just have to exercise to lose weight? I was planning on starting to walk after my surgery. But I've been on a high protein low carb diet before my surgery, and I use MFP to keep track of my calories and keep in mind I'm not exercising. I'm suppose to be able to eat 1800 and some calories, seems like a lot to me , but that's what it said. I'm not loosing anything. I thought it was calories in calories out kind of thing. Is it simply a matter of exercise or is it to many calories or both? And yes I hate exercise and have a bad knee, but do plan I doing it I know I have to. But I was just curious why I am not losing something. I don't want this to be what happens with the band. Can you just be unable to lose. I am 5'3 and 277 pounds, plus I am 47 yrs old, and was thinking my metabolism might be shot or something. I do have a thyroid (hypo) problem but it is OK on meds. I'm guessing the answers going to be to exercise Actually I hope it is that simple. Not easy but simple. BTW my nut said he has no calorie or quantity restrictions for me he said just eating healthy would take care of everything when I get the band..

Thank you for ALL the advice!!! Today was a MUCH better - I have been on soft food since Sunday as per my meal plan from my doc. Foods on my acceptable list are : eggs, chicken, baked fish, crab, melon, pear, banana, yogurt, steamed veggies. (I had to be on pureed foods for 3 days before that and "full" liquid for 3 before that - and clear liquid for three before that. I have been VERY blessed to have very few complications and only felt that I have had "too much" restriction once when I didnt chew well enough before I swollowed. I was feeling hungry because I have reactive hypoglicemia because of my p.c.o.s. -but today I took Betsy's advice - and toughened up!!! I moved my meal times back later in the day and stuck with a skim milk with sugar free carnation this afternoon and NO cheating!!! Yeah!!! One good day down and many more to come. (My morning weigh in was a huge wake up call - only lost 3 ounces since Sunday!!) THANK YOU SOOO much to my new lap band friends - this has been a HUGE help and encouragement and look forwaed to many more pounds lost together!!!:thumbup:

This is just my recommendation; when I very first had a sugary treat, I felt horrific. Not true dumping syndrome, but I did get the clammy, flushed feeling. Reactive hypoglycemia is common for some patients especially if you are low carbing, sugar free eating and then all of a sudden you throw some (all be it a small bite) of yummy buttercream frosting/cake into your system. I would suggest you having a couple of bites of sugary something the week before your wedding to make sure your body doesn't completely freak out. At 2 years out, even though I don't restrict any foods, and do not restrict carbs or sugar, I do not eat these things on a regular basis, and if I decide to indulge in cake, I feel pretty crappy. Cheesecake, candybars, Starbursts candies, pie, donuts do NOT have this effect on me, but buttercream or cream cheese frosting both make me feel weird. I'm assuming it's the fat content that does me in on the frosting. Many congrats on your upcoming nuptials and getting your sleeve date! ! !

How elevated is your TSH? What medication are you taking? I have been both hypo and hyper, finally had half of my thyroid out in Oct. of 2010 and have not had an issue since. I would check with your surgeons and get his/her opinion.

I seemed to have developed hypo thyroidisym after surgery. My PCP didn't put me on anything yet. I just reached gaol and she wants to recheck it in a month.

HiI Everyone! So I went to my nutritionist today to ck in and it'll be 3 months since my surgery nxt wk. Ive had a 1cc fill about a month ago and I've lost 10lbs (I was careful to NOT say ONLY 10 lbs bc it's a loss nonetheless!) anywho in reviewing some bloodwork I did about a month ago she said my thyroid is out of control...(hypo).. I'm going back to see the MD nxt wk to see if medication wb required but I've been diagnosed before (2010) as "intermittent hypothyroid" most annoying diagnosis ever.. However THC levels have only gotten worse post surgery.. I read that having surgery, stress and other factors can trigger the hormonal imbalance.. Has anyone else experienced this? Where you put on meds? Had surgery to remove thyroid/did it help? Change of diet? Any info would be helpful.

I am and have been since 6 weeks before surgery.I had half of my thyroid removed in 2010 for a nodule and when I had my pre surgery labs they came back hypo I am on 0.05 mg synthroid .