Question:
Will having HYPOthyroidism (slow thyroid) prevent me
from losing weight after surgery? It makes weight loss very difficult and slow for me now, will that change after surgery? Anyone with hypothyroidism out there that lost a lot of weight? Any advice would be appreciated. Marcia — marcia5000 (posted on February 1, 2009)
February 1, 2009
Hi Marcia! I had my surgery almost 10 months ago (April 7,2008) and so far
I have lost 149 lbs. I have hypothyroidism and I am currently taking
levothyroxine each day. I stopped taking it after my surgery (thinking I
didn't need it) and then when I went to visit my primary care physician, he
advised me that I needed to be taking it. I don't know why I thought I
could just stop taking it, but I did. I will say that after I started
taking it again, my weight loss did slow, but I think that was just
coincidental. Even though it has been slow the last 4 months, I am still
steadily losing. It's difficult, but still very doable! Good luck to you!
— Brandy H.
February 1, 2009
Hello!
I have hypothyroidism since I'm 14, now 36. First let me start off by
saying that stopping your thyroid medicine without a Doc's say so and blood
work to back up the doctors request is very dangerous! When I'm was first
diagnosed way back in '87 (lol) I was sooo tired all the time,just wanted
to sleep after getting off the bus.. I didnt even want to attend softball
practice.. I gained alot of weight the summer before.. I was an active
child, tee ball, little league blah blah.. So it sent red flags.. I have no
thyroid function WITHOUT my synthroid, 300mcg once a day.. SO yes you will
lose weight having hypothyroidism, with that being said , you have to
continue to take your meds...Unless your doctor says other wise. I will be
taking mine for the rest of my life.. Sure when I was in my 20's and new
everything :) I went off them myself once , Big mistake! I was so sick.. I
went to the Endro and he was not happy. My T counts were off the charts..
He explained to me how this condition untreated can contribute to my
death.. Thats all I needed to hear! Are you currently on medication from a
Doc?
— Barbara C.
February 1, 2009
I am about 7 weeks post op with RNY. I am currently taking Synthroid. I
think my weight loss has been slower than expected, but as of last week I
was down 42 pounds. As you know with the hypothyroid, loosing weight is
very difficult, but the surgery works. You will loose the weight, just keep
taking your thyroid meds and have your Endo check your TSH levels as you
start to loose weight... Good luck with your surgery!
— Raquel_121008
February 1, 2009
I had hypo also. caught it early so minimal meds for years prior to surgery
(in 2001). lost my weight and got off the meds. good luck.
— ezehkef
February 1, 2009
I am 5 years post op feb 16, 09. I too have hypothyroidism. I have been on
meds for 25 years. It may have slowed the weight loss. I had many plateous.
You do not want to lose the weight fast. Your body needs time to catch up
and rest in between the weight loss. Your skin needs time to catch up.
Plateous are a good thing not bad. You can expect to lose over the next 2
years. My surgeon told me the only way this surgery works is if you eat. I
never did protein shakes. I supplement with vitamins. I eat all day, small
meals. I lost all my weight in 2 years. 130 lbs. I am 125 lbs. size 4 from
247 lbs a size 22. I will be on synthroid the rest of my life. I don't have
bad skin issues. I know 2 years seems like forever but how long were you
obese? This surgery works. Don't sweat the plateous mine were sometimes 3
months long. It's ok just keep eating and walking. It took my mind 3 years
to catch up that I am not obese anymore. Now I can't remember being obese.
Weird. I can't gain now.
— Kimberly Ten Kate
February 2, 2009
I have hypo thyroid too. I am 3 1/2 months post op and have lost 78
pounds. I am happy with the rate of my loss. Wouldn't be loosing that
much without the surgery.
— tonitoot
February 2, 2009
You should be taking meds for your hypothyroidism. Keep in mind that as
you lose weight, your need for medication will change, so keep on top of
your thyroid med needs. Have your thyroid levels checked on a regular
basis. I too, suffer from hypothyroidism. I was taking synthroid, but am
now taking levothyroxin. BOTH medications work well for controlling
hypothyroidism. If you are not already on one of these medications, or
something similar, PLEASE find a COMPETENT physician and GET ON ONE! It
will be an INVALUABLE TOOL for assisting you in shedding your excess
weight! It will get your metabolism up to NORMAL levels instead of having
it DEPRESSED like that of a tree sloth! ;-) Having your body ABLE to burn
energy is a KEY PART of weight loss! If your body will not GIVE UP the
energy, you will not LOSE IT! I hope this helps. Hugh
— hubarlow
February 2, 2009
I was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism before surgery as well...And was on
synthroid for a few years...Doc told me I'd be on it for the rest of my
life...After surgery I just had no time to take the pill because you need
to take on an empty stomach 3 hours...and I had all these vitamins and
eating every 3 hours and I just could not fit in the thyroid meds...I kept
forgetting til I guess I just stopped...I went on to lose 158 lbs and kept
it off 150 lbs for these last 5 years...(Was no no meds either) My thyroid
seemed to be acting normal as without...Til a few months ago when it
dropped again...I got put back on synthroid...I am soooo bad at taking
it...I am way past labs to check it. You and I both, just need to stay on
top of our levels and meds and we should be fine! So don't worry and don't
be like me and stop taking the meds! You reminded me that I really need to
take care of this myself and get my thyroid levels retested and my med
prescript renewed! I'm so bad! Don't do that!
— .Anita R.
February 2, 2009
I have hypothyrodism and have lost 214 lbs since surgery. My PCP does blood
work every 3 months and so far I haven't had to increase my synthroid at
all. Good luck with your surgery I wish you all the best. Debi
— DEBI R.
February 2, 2009
I have hypothyroidism. I lost over 100 lbs prior to my RNY surgery. I've
lost a total of 215 lbs altogether so far. I started out weighing 530 lbs.
I'm now down to 315. Even if the weight loss is slow it's okay. Slow is
good as it give your body to keep up with the changes. Good luck to you!
— norakeno
February 2, 2009
I also have hypo. I rejoice with all of the people who have lost so much
weight. I wish that was me but I have not lost much weight at all. I have
just gotten back on thyroid meds this past month after insisting that the
dr. test my thyroid and when he finally did, he found that it was not
working. I would love to say since I have been on the synthroid, that the
weight have dropped off. It has not fallen off of me. I had Lap Band
surgery and that is a slow way to lose weight for some of us but I know
others who had the same surgery who have large weight losses. I hope that
you have a fantastic weight loss. I seem to be an exception to the other
who posted here. Good Luck, Susan
— susangielda06
February 2, 2009
Not at all. I have hypothyroidism and am on synthroid. It has been adjusted
since I had surgery. After 6 months, I have lost 70 lbs. Don't be afraid.
— smd1190
February 2, 2009
Hi, I have been on synthroid for many years, and right now my levels have
been messing up, the doctor puts me on one dosage, checks blood levels two
months after and is still trying to regulate my levels....the thyroid plays
a big part of our metabolism, hormones, heart, and other organs...do not
stop your meds unless the doctor says to.
best wishes, best to lose slow, instead of not losing at all. Farmgirl58
— Farmgirl58
February 2, 2009
Marcia,
I have had hypothyroidism since I was 17 years old and it will change after
surgery because your metabolism will be different. You will lose weight
slightly differently than others and once you are at goal weight; you may
not need your thyroid medication. As always however do exactly what your
doctor recommends. Good Luck and God Bless,
vinnigirl, retired RN
— vinnigirl
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