Question:
Will this surgery work for people recovering from Cushings Disease?

I was diagnosed with cushings disease a couple of years ago. I have tried EVERYTHING tp lose the weight that I gained (about 100#'s), but nothing works. I wil usually stay the same weight or lose less than 5 Lbs. Will this Surgery do anything for me?    — Julia T. (posted on March 22, 2004)

March 22, 2004
Julia, I was told by my doctor that if you have Cushing's or any metabolic disorder, this or any WLS will be a waste of time, money, pain and effort. Cushing's can be corrected by removing the tumor causing the disease. I know because I was thought to have Cushing's and after 2 years of testing was told that my tumor (on my pituitary gland) is non functioning therefore, I just need to diet and exercise. It is frustrating as all get out when you have that or the syndrome but have your endocrinologist,if you have one, find out where your tumor is and get that taken out first. Your body will usually respond to that and return to normal. It may not though and then that is when you can seek other methods of weight loss. BUT ONLY AFTER YOUR HORMONE LEVELS HAVE RETURNED TO NORMAL FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME (8-12 months).
   — Sheila S.

March 23, 2004
I was diagnosed with Cushing's disease about two and a half years ago. Over a sixteen year period (that's how long ago my Dr. believes it began before it was diagnosed) I gained 260lbs. I also did every diet known to man to no avail. For years I knew something was wrong with me but my biggest challenge was getting a Dr. that would listen, so I bounced from Dr. to Dr trying to get one that would take me seriously. I finally had what I refer to as a breakdown in my current Drs. office. He said he didn't know what was wrong if anything but he'd send me to an Endocrinologist to make sure. Well, they found the tumor, tested me and found I had Cushing's Disease. I used Parlodel to shrink the tumor for about a year and a half (I didn't want surgery and fought against it). I was tested again to check for the tumor once more and I was told that it was gone. A year later, I had surgery December 8, 2003 (3 months ago). I've since lost 70.8lbs. You have to get the Cushing's disease taken care of FIRST. You also have to give extra time for treatment relapse. One of the problems with Cushing's disease is that even though it makes you gain weight, when you get rid of the tumor you don't lose weight anywhere near as fast as you gained. You have to WORK real hard at losing it and it comes off slowly or not at all. Whatever happens, Good Luck>
   — Niobe

March 23, 2004
Don't-know if I agree with what you said Sheila. Was diagnosed with a pituitary tumor after I had weight-loss surgery. The tumor causes my pituitary gland to produce a high level of prolactin. In women a high level of this hormone produces milk and causes the body to store fat I E when having a baby. In men it generally just causes the body to store fat. I have lost about 200 lbs. after surgery of two years ago. When one is morbidly obese their hormones are generally not balanced anyway and the surgery does tend to balance them in along run. However, if my doctor and or surgeon recommended that I not have weight-loss surgery I would not have that.
   — Robert L.

March 23, 2004
Maybe I wasn't clear. Not all pit tumors produce prolactin. Mine didn't. I was producing (or they thought)too much cortisol which is responsible for adding weight or making it difficult to lose weight. There are many different functioning tumors that produce or suppress all kinds of hormones. That little gland is busy! So sorry for the confusion but I do have that fact straight.
   — Sheila S.

March 25, 2004
My Cushings was actually caused by my Doc. They injected my with Depo Medrol instead of Depo Provera (3 times. It is steriod induced so I guess it is called Cushing's Syndrome. The Doc claims that I am over it, but I still cannot lose the weight. I have an appointment with the surgon in April. I will keep you all posted as to what he says. I really do appreciate all of the comments! You all probably know how frustrating it is to get information on this disease, let alone anyone to believe that you have this horrid disease. Thanks again!
   — Julia T.