Hi everyone my name is Mari,

Im hoping someone could help me with my question. I sent an e-mail to the Doctors but I have no idea how to check If i got a response. I have Lupus and i have been taking prednisone which is a steroid for about 18 yrs. I'm thinking of getting the lap-band surgery but i went to a Dr. here in my area and he told me that i had a higher risk of infection because of the steroids suppressing my immune system. He told me that he would be willing to do the surgery on me if i was really sure i wanted it. I was so excited and ready to just go for it but now im not so sure. I don't know if i should get a second opinion or if i should just take this chance or if i should just forget about it all together. I really want to do this but im scared. Im hoping there is someone out there that is MAYBE in a similar situation or can just give a little advise or there opinion on what I should do.

I had 2 issues prior to my surgery. One was my hemochromotosis. I didn't even think about the RYN until my GI doc gave a clean bill of health. So go to your Doc who is treating your lupus before you rush into anything. Any good Doc will make you have some sort of letter from the Doc who is treating a primary condition. My surgeon wanted a letter stating the condition of my liver and all my GI docs work ups prior to accepting me as a patient.

The other issue was fibroid uterus cyst. I had had it my whole life. Didn't get treated for until after my RYN. It caused so much pain and problem. I didn't eat or drink for two weeks out of the month for 6 months. Finally all my docs figured out what was going on and I had yet another surgery.

So the moral of the story is get a clean bill of health prior to thinking about getting the surgery. If you have another condition take care of that first and then handle the WLS. Why you may have to wait- you will be saving yourself money and stress in the long run.

Thank you for writing Jamie. So far everything has turned out well as far as my blood work. My liver and kidneys are doing good. The Dr. that sees me for the lupus gave me the go ahead. I think its just that I dont feel comfortable with the surgeon i went to see. How long ago did you have your surgery and how is it going?

I had my surgery I year ago I have done well with the weight loss portion and won't trade it for the world. I had a bumpy ride after three months out, but not because of the surgery. My other Docs just sucked with the communciation to my Surgeon. Once I got Docs that all communciated with him well things got better. If you don't feel comfortable with your surgeon keep looking because you have to be able to tell him anything any time and have to have a very personal relationship with him. I sometimes still struggle with that but it's getting better. Not sure where you live but if it's in the VA/NC area go to Norfolk Surg Group. Make sure who ever you chooose to do your surgery has lots of education classes for you thru out your process. I had 16 hours thru my processing and then another 2 hours prior to getting out of the hospital. If you need me phishytrey@yahoo.com is my home email. I will be glad to sure my adventures with you. Good luck and keep looking.

I am 1 year out and it's been hard. I have a great relationship with my Surgeon so keep looking. It's important you find one you can trust and talk to like a best friend. i struggle with it from time to time. You can reach me at phishytrey@yahoo.com if you have more questions.

Welcome to the forum Mari. If it were me, I would get a second opinion just to ease your mind. Problem with that could be that some insurance companies won't cover the cost for a second opinion visit. You may want to check into that.

Also, if you want to track posts, click on the Notifications thingy on the reply post. When you change it to yes, you will get an email with each reply. I have used it a couple of times and find it to be a great feature.

hi there, this is my first post, but i really liked your question. I had the lap-band done about 2 months ago. I can totally identify with your situation. I too have been on prednisone before and the weight gain is horrible. I was approved by my insurance right away for this,eventhough my bmi was only 40, becasue of lots of health issues onc being chronic fatigue and PCOS. I am hoping this surgery will help with my health. I unlike many people have to eat a lot less then normal to stay thinner (I will never be a size 2 i know that). SO I felt this surgery can be a great tool to help me eat small amounts for life. being on prednisone makes it so you have to really watch your calorie intake and excersie routine. I was back at work within 4 days of the surgery and I feel great now. But it is just a tool, it is still easy to gain weight, you have to get it tightened often and keep up with the adjustments and make sure you don't take in any liquid calories. you have to be really motivated for it to work, I gained a pound back this week so I am determined to work harder becasue I don't want to go through all of this for nothing.
I really hope you find a good doctor becasue you have to see him/her once a month for at least a year so you should have a good relationship with them. If you are CA I can recommend a great surgeon.
I think the lap-band is a great proceedure. It is simple and seems to work if you work too. It is a fast healing process and reversable if you don't like it. I am super excitted to see how this first year goes. I also deciede to get a personal trainer (i don't have money so I charged it) health is more important than anything. My trainer understands my health and surgery stuff so it has been really helpful.
I wish the best of luck to you! really search for a surgeon you like, also don't let anyone charge you for an "information seminar" that seems to be a common thing these days. I got ripped off at the first place I looked at. I researched 6 other places before I found the surgeon I went with in So. Cal and I have been completlyhappy with him.

Good luck to everyone!

TAKE THE CHANCE AND GET R DONE! I WAS ON PREDNISONE FOR 3 YRS AND IT HAS NOT EFFECTED ME ADVERSLY WITH RESPECT TO THE SURGERY. THE DOCTORS MAY HAVE TO ADJUST THE DOSAGE BUT THEY WILL GET IT RIGHT. WHO KNOWS, IN THE FUTURE BECAUSE OF THE SURGERY; YOU MAY JUST BE ABLE TO QUIT THE STEROID ALL TOGETHER. I SHOULD KNOW.

MY NAME IS MARC BRACKENS AND I AM 5 MONTHS POST WLS. BLESS YOU AND STAY STRONG...YOU CAN DO IT!! WE ARE HERE TO SUPPORT YOU.

quote:

Originally posted by mari975:
Hi everyone my name is Mari,
I have Lupus and i have been taking prednisone which is a steroid for about 18 yrs. I'm thinking of getting the lap-band surgery but i went to a Dr. here in my area and he told me that i had a higher risk of infection because of the steroids suppressing my immune system.

Your doctor is correct. You have a much higher chance of infection with the LUPUS AND the steroids. With any weight loss surgery, you will need to diet and exercise. LUPUS in itself is a serious disorder - the pregnisone is another issue. T'were me I'd consult with a good gastroenterologist (rather than a surgeon) for a second opinion. There are many ways to approach the problem - surgery is only one way.

Hello everyone,

I wanted to thank everyone for welcoming me...I didnt think that anyone would respond. It's so nice to know that there are people i dont even know interested in my situation. It really does help. Im excited to hear about your progress DRAR78. I want to know how do you deal with not being able to just eat whatever whenever want. I guess Im what you would call an emotional eater. I eat when I'm happy,sad, nervouse or whatever and i hate to sound so negative but I'm affraid that I wont be able to do it! I mean honestly i eat even when im not hungry! I understand that the WLS is just a tool and that it doesnt make you NOT hungry so im just curious on how you all, that have had the surgery have dealt with it. Well thanks again to everyone for writing its really appreciated and hope to hear more from ya'll soon. Take Care
Mari

Thanks for writing. I needed to hear something encouraging.I Think i just might go for it. I am thinking of going to Houston...I live about 6 hrs. away & have family there. I really need to get off of the steroids the side effects are horrible. By the way...is are you THE Marc Brackens lol. You are very famouse in our family. We all love you and watch every week and let me tell you I pray for you and I'm so glad that you are doing so well. I'm glad that i found this site...everyone has been so nice. Thanks Againd
God Bless u
Mari

hey Mari,
I am 3 months post op now and I have to say I have struggled this last month. I work out daily with a trainer and eat less then 1400 calories a day and I have not lost much weight this month, it is hard. i am now finding I have to change what I am eating, not just the calories. I have CFS and PCOS so it makes things hard. I too am like you, I want to eat just for the sake of eating. I like the taste of food and it makes me happy. I am trying to get into working out so I can reaplace my food addiction with excersise and goos thoughts. I am hoping in 6 months to be able to jog ( need to lose weight so it does not hurt my joints).The lap band does make it very easier to cheat and eat bad foods probably then the other proceedure. I started taking in a lot of liquid calories so I stopped that now. I had it tightened last week, that makes it so when you eat too much or don't chew your food enough you get a bad pain in your chest and then trhow up. I ate 4 pieces of fruit from a fruit salad and got sick becasue I didn't chew enough. But it is a good thing, I got a coffee and croissant from starbucks (bad bad me) and I got sick after 2 bites and I have not gone back! It is almost like I am being forced to learn new habits. It is painful and not comfortable but what I need. It forces you to take your time to eat and really think about each bite you put in your mouth, beacuase after a few times of the pain and getting sick you really don't want to experience that again and you are less likey to cheat or put stuff in your mouth for the sake of just eating. I am learning to drink lots of usgar free drinks when I fee the need to "snack". I just wanted to tell you a little of the reality of it, I did not really know esactly what to expect before I did it. I still am loving it and loving that I am making better choices.
good luck!
oh and if you read this Marc, keep pressing on! you rock!

i also had the lap-band procedure done in march 2007, and have lost 30lbs to date.
it's been a roller coaster not very easy but have seen results. wish i would have had the gastric bypass instead but i was self-pay due to the fact that the weight loss is a lot slower and i still have 70lbs to reach my goal.
is pretty painful (to me) the fills.
anyway, i would like to get in contact with austin (trainer) to see if i can get some advice on what excersise i should be doing to loose faster and tone. so if you are out there austin or even kim valera please e-mail me asap!
@ kaybritt_99@yahoo.com. thanks in advance!

mary

quote:

Originally posted by kaybritt:
anyway, i would like to get in contact with austin (trainer) to see if i can get some advice on what excersise i should be doing to loose faster and tone. so if you are out there austin or even kim valera please e-mail me asap!
@ kaybritt_99@yahoo.com. thanks in advance!

mary

Hi, Mary!

You can email me at kimvalera@hotmail.com, and you can email Austin through his website, www.fitandfunny.net. We will both be happy to help you in any way we can!