I have SLE and nervous about which kind of procedure to have done

I have lupus and fibromyalgia, and on 2/25/09 I will be four years out from my Duodenal Switch.   It was prednisone that got me to my highest weight of 405, as it was the only medicine that would work for me then.

I chose the DS because I felt that I would need the malabsorption to keep the weight off.  I have not had to increase my SLE/Fibro meds, just make sure that I take them away from calcium and other vites. The top half of the DS is the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy, or Gastric Sleeve. I have seen some lupies on the board opt for that.  You are right about the LapBand.  It would set off your immune system. There are surgical staples used in the procedure, but they haven't caused any problems for me.

WLS is a very persohal choic, complicated by medical issues for us lupies, but what it comes down to is true for any medical procedure - do the benefits outweigh the risks?

I have wegener's and if my insurance covered the sleeve I may have gotten that although my rheumy didn't like that idea.  I have the lapband.  I like it so far, but weight loss is slower.  If your insurance will cover the sleeve take a look into that.  I know with malabsorption it's not a good idea for us to get rny or ds.

hugs about pred.  I've been on pred and chemo over 5 years now.  Losing almost a 100 from my highest weight has helped, but I still have a long ways to go.  Come back and tell us how things are!

duh me!  you had your surgery!!!!  CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!  I hope you're recovering well and feeling better.  I'm so happy for you!

 Howdy,

How are you doing now?

Hello all-

I have SLE, MCTD, Fibromyalgia, Reynaud's.

On February 25, 2009, after years of disability, I had a duodenal switch with Dr. Margaret Inman at St. Vincent's Bariatric Center of Excellence in Carmel, Indiana.

One year and nearly three months after my surgery, and an all-time high weight of 405, with a BMI over 60,  I am 41.8 pounds away from goal.

I am now able to make it through most of my day caneless, although I still have to use a scooter for extended walking due to bad knee joints.  I am no longer on prednisone. Plaquenil, Lyrica and Cymbalta are now effective in controlling pain and limiting flares.  I am enjoying a 9 month remission at this point. The trauma of the surgery did NOT trigger a flare!

I no longer have sleep apnea or high blood pressure or restless leg syndrome.

I understand that many of us lupies are warned away from the DS, due to medicatin adjustment and absorption issues, but I was surprised during my journey that my Lyrica dosage was cut in half, as was my Cymbalta dosage.  As I mentioned before, I no longer take Mirapex for restless leg syndrome, or Benicar for high blood pressure.  I haven't had to use a prednisone taper the whole time I've has my DS.

The VSG is actually the top half of my surgery, and the bottom half is most closely related to a distal RNY.

For more information, log onto www.dsfacts.com . 

I am in the very same boat! I am new to the board and am also trying to decide what procedure to have!

I was diagnosed with Mixed Connective Tissue Disease and Psoriatic Arthritis 6 yrs ago and do fairly well. I only take Plaquenil and baby ASA and occas. Mobic, and I've never had to take Prednisone. At the surgical consult yesterday (where I was all set to discuss Lap Band) the surgeon brought up gastric sleeve as an option becasue of meds. That wasn't even a thought before my consult, so now I have to research that surgery!

I'm nervous about the VSG procedure because of the removal of the portion of stomach, but also as a nurse, realize that the risks of erosion with Lap-Band and NSAID use. 

What are some suggestions for those of you that have lupus and have had, or researched, the Lap-Band and VSG? My BMI is 36-37, so I'm not even considering bypass! 

I have SLE and Fibromyalgia, and I will be four years out from my Duodenal Switch on February 25, 2013. Check the ticker in my signature.

It has not caused any problems with SLE/Fibro, and  I did not have to adjust any medications, just make sure that I take them two hours away from calcium or other vitamins.

By the way, except for the thyroid issue, your list sounds exactly like mine!  In fact, prednisone was what pushed my weight up out of the 200's up to my maximum 405. It was the only medicine that would work prior to my weight loss.  I was 397 on surgery day!

My doctors and surgeon both agreed that the benefits of WLS outweighed the risks for me, and they were right!  I only get prednisone now in case of a severe flare, which I haven't had in more that 3 years, and other medicines, like Plaquenil, Lyrica, etc, are now effective.  I still have to budget my energy, and I do wear myself out from time to time, and have an energy "crash" and need to nap, but the surgery has not negatively impacted my SLE or Fibro.

My BMI was in the high 60's on surgery day, so  I know exactly where you're coming from.  investigate the DS, but I think the sleeve is a good choice, too.  What's best for *you* is what matters most.

WLS will not take away your flares, but may make them more manageable.

Hamptons-

I have SLE, Fibro, MCTD. 

On February 25. 2009, I had the DS.  I've lost 226 pounds, down from my highest weight of 405. 

I am no longer on prednisone, but a slew of other stuff, which now WORKS!  Prednisone was the only thing that kept my flares down, and NOTHING was working completely for the fibro pain.

I'm no longer on prednisone. It's now reserved for treating major flares.  I take Plaquenil, Lyrica, Cymbalta, and Flexeril, and...THEY WORK My dosages actually DECREASED, despite the malabsorption that is the hallmark of the DS. Tramadol (Ultram) is my 2nd line pain med, and I rarely have to pull it out.  I haven't had a major flare for over a year now!  My knees are bad, but my rheumy says with the weight gone, Synvisc-One and strengthening my quads may delay knee replacements for another 10 to 15 years!

I've read that many surgeons are not keen about doing a DS on a lupie, due to the malabsorption issues, but as with any medical condition, the benefits outweighed the risks in my case, and have improved my life!  I am working at coming off disability through re-training for a different profession through Social Security's Ticket To Work program, and when I'm done, I'll be a Registered Dietitian. Then on to a Master of Science.   I plan to specialize in Bariatric Nutrition!