Hi, I am new here

Hi there, I am new to this site. I am from Texas. I have been contemplating the band for a little bit now. Here recently I was diagnosed with Hashimotos Thyroiditis, I decided to get some help to aid me in losing weight. I love to exercise but haven't had the energy to because of the thyroid (been lost without exercising). Even with the medicine I am taking. I am scheduled for an ENT Dr tomorrow because my Dr wants to know what is going on in my thyroid (the right side of my neck is swollen).  I have done more blood work. They think it could be Thyroid Cancer but wont know until I have more testing and go to another Endocrinologist in Houston this time. I have read many posts some negative and some positive...just thought I would say hi and wish everyone the best of luck in their weight loss journey! 

~God Bless
Mel

Welcome Mel,

Making a change for the better with you health is awesome.  I would recommend you find out the complete picture of your health before making a final decision concerning any WLS.  I would also research, research, and research some more; especially since your condition could be compromised depending upon which surgery you choose.  I'm glad you've joined us.  Be sure to visit all the boards as you conduct your research to learn about the good, the bad, and the ugly of all the surgeries.

Thank you so much! Yes I have done tons of research and have several friends whom have either done the Gastric Bypass or the Lap band. A close friend of mine and her husband had the lap band, he was over that part of the hospital and explained a lot to me. I am still going to do more research though. And I am taking in all the good and the bad and the ugly. LOL!! I am a very optimistic person and I have a lot of faith. I need to be healthy for my son. I am a single parent of a 7 year old boy going on 17 it seems. My doctor is going to figure out the thyroid before we do anything else but she herself has also had the lap band but was not successful with it. She feels the band would be better than the bypass for me. I have been struggling with weight loss now for over 10 years, through an emotional abusive marriage that I tried to make work for 5 years and here these last few years the weight has just packed on and I haven't changed eating or exercise habits a bit except for the better but yet I still gained or just stayed the same, then I learned of my hypothyroid and found out about the hashimotos. I will continue to visit all the boards and do more research.

=)

It sounds like you're on the right track, with a great support system.  Add those to your Faith and you have a winning team:)  GOD BLESS and keep us informed of you progress!

Will do!! Thanks so much again!! God Bless!! =)

Welcome Mel!!!

Thank you!! =)

Hi,  I had similar issues with my thyroid a few years ago.  They discovered a "goiter" (nice word for tumour) on half of my thyroid.  They did a biopsy which was inconclusive.  The doctor decided to remove half of my thyroid. I was afraid that it was malignant but it turned out to be nothing.  I have taken synthroid since the operation.  Now, three years later I have a goiter on the other half but they are hoping to leave it there.  I have not had any symptoms since the surgery.

Good Luck!
Michele

Oh wow...I am glad it wasn't malignant or anything. That can be scary. I went for a throat exam yesterday and had to take the nastiest stuff for it. LOL! I am not sure of the results but the x-ray man said that it looked clear and when my ENT got my thyroid scan from my endocrinologist he said it wasn't my thyroid making me feel like there is something in my throat...but he wanted to get this throat scan in to make the final diagnoses. So not only am I confused but I feel like I am back to square one with my throat issue. I am ready to go to Houston...the doctors down here in SETX can be oh what do you call it...they can be wrong and it is always good to get a second opinion. Once I get this lined out which I hope will be soon I can make an appointment for the lap band. My pcp is very prompt and eager to figure out what is causing me all these problems...she knows most of it is my thyroid but the reactions I am having to the medicine isn't right. I look forward to learning so much on here. It helps to have people who have had some of the same or similar experiences to give you advice...

Thanks,
Mel

Welcome, Mel!

Sounds like you have some challenging health issues going on. I pray it's not thyroid cancer.

I don't know where in Texas you are, but I can recommend a sweetheart of a support group leader in Round Rock. Her name is Nina. I'll ask her to check out this thread.

Good luck with your thyroid and your weight loss.

Jean