Hypothyroidism sabotaged my success

After my lap-band was placed I lived happily between 160-170 for 7 years.  Almost two years ago I was diagnosed with Graves disease (hyperthyroidism), and no it did not make me lose weight (of course I wouldn't be that lucky).  To treat this, I had the radiation ablation treatment to kill my thyroid gland, effectively making me hypothyroid.  Now 19 months later I've gained nearly 40lbs!!  And I have yet to have a normal thyroid function level, so I'm still hypothyroid...grrrrr. 

With the weight gain, I started having severe heartburn. So I had an upper GI and found a new gastric surgeon (Sayeed Ikramudin, MD) to find out what I needed to do.  He removed the 1.5cc of fluid in my band, which cured the heartburn.  However, I'm still gaining weight and freaking out!!

My gastric surgeon is referring me to a weight loss specialist who is also an Endocrinologist to find out the best way to treat my situation.  This Endocrinologist (Charles Billington, MD) also treats patients who have weight gain after a weight loss surgery.  Still freaking out.............

Once my thyroid is functioning normally, it will not make me lose the weight I've gained.  Now I'm contemplating a different weight loss surgery, but my darn BMI is only 33..............

What to do, what to do, what to do?  Still freaking out...................and I'm already taking antidepressants since depression is a major side effect from hypothyroidism.

Conclusion...........hypothyroidism has ruined my life :(

Sorry your thyroid is messing with you however I would suggest taking a deep breath and deal with the thyroid issue first then worry about the weight gain. Forty lbs in over a year isn't the end of the world altho it is cause to keep a close eye on food intake by journaling. Maybe that alone will help, it can't hurt anyway. Work with the professionals and do what you can until things straighten out some. Good luck to you!

You are not alone.  I have a very good friend who experienced the same exact thing.  She never had weight loss surgery, but had the procedure you did on her thyroid and has yet to get her thyroid in normal levels.  She has struggled with her weight for the first time in her life.  I think you got good advice, get the thyroid straightened out and maybe think about not gaining rather than loosing for the time being.  Good luck!

Thanks for the support, it can be so frustrating when I haven't changed a thing about my eating habits, yet I gain 40 lbs.  This is way more weight than the average person gains in my situation, that is why I am freaking out............

btw.............I just started weigh****chers..........AGAIN :(

You Might want to take a Look at the Adverse Events connected to the lap Band from Allergan as Thyroid Disease is mentioned as one of many Adverse events:(

http://www.lapband.com/content/lapband_AP_dfu.pdf

Good Luck in the Future.

Hi Annie,

Thanks for the advice, I'll check this out.  I often wondered if the radiation ablation would have any effect on my lap band, but the radiologist said it "shouldn't".  

Thanks again!

Sorry to hear you are going thru this.  You need to get and read YOUR insurance policy.  Some people are approved from band to another WLS in minutes, some have to meet the same requirement or more than for getting the band.  Some can't get a revision with out fighting and once in a life time policy and some not at all.

For me, I had to have a bmi of 35 with another co-morb issue.  I was bmi of 32 at the center when I started the fight.  After the band was removed and I was able to prove medical need and compliance with the band my bmi had gone up.  At time of surgery it had made it up to 37.  I wish I could have held at the 35.

Find out what situation you are in than maybe we can give you some advise/help.

That is awesome you were able to get this done.  Yes, my insurance policy has a one WLS per lifetime, however, I had my band placed 9 years ago in Mexico, so I'm hoping this will count as my "one" surgery.  So now I'm contemplating VSG or RNY............

Yep, you still need to get the wording from your policy as many state, like mine, no matter when or whom paid for the original.  I would do this first.  I know of at least one person who's policy stated this so the went back to mexico to get it out.  Than had the sleeve done as a virgin.  For them it was the best, least expensive way to go.  With the insurance game it is so important to get YOUR policy in writing and make sure you know what is says before doing anything.  My CO was so bad the said they mailed it to me twice, I never got it.  Than I asked to have it faxed, 9 pages of nothing came thru.  I ended up talking to them in person.