Am I alone??
Sun, August 30, 2009 6:38 PM
I have Chron's Disease, but I am morbidly obese. I've not heard of anyone else that is obese but has this disorder. I'm struggling with the prospect of lap-band surgery but am afraid because of the Chron's. I have a mild case of it but still hurt and feel sick. I'm afraid that if I have the surgery and have a purging spell that the band will slip and they will have to go back in to move it. Is the surgery really going to be worth it?
Joined Jan 18, 2009
Tue, September 15, 2009 12:00 AM
Reply posted for loreli115.
You are not the only one, I have UC and I weigh 280 pounds!! Yes at some points when I am sick I lose about 30 pounds, but then get put on prednisone and gain it right back and have problems losing weight. everytime i try to go to the gym to lose weight I get sick after about 2 weeks. and my docs said no to lap band because of my uc
Joined Dec 28, 2008
Fri, September 04, 2009 9:21 PM
Reply posted for js1747.
Thank you for your response. I love getting all this feedback from people who have the same condition as me. 
Joined Jan 18, 2009
Fri, September 04, 2009 12:00 AM
Reply posted for loreli115.
Although I am not obese, I have a very good friend with Crohn's that I talk to a lot and we provide each other support. She had gastric bypass a few years before she was diagnosed. She was successful at losing weight after the surgery, but unfortunately when she later started having diarrhea, nausea and vomiting and was diagnosed with Crohn's, the bypass complicated everything and she now has serious complications due to poor nutrition--liver problems, hair loss, etc. The lap band may be a better option because it can be removed, but I know most specialists would say it is a bad idea. I have had lots of friends have both these procedures and they all say the same thing . . . it only changes how much food you can eat at one time . . . it doesn't change your relationship to food, your habits, your feelings. Many people are unsuccessful using these weight loss tools because you can stretch your stomach right back out. Given the extra risk due to your GI problems, I would try every thing else you possibly can and talk to your GI specialist.
Joined Sep 4, 2009
Tue, September 01, 2009 10:31 PM
Reply posted for loreli115.
Thanks everyone. I was beginning to think that I was the only obese Chron's person out there. 
I have a list of questions for my doc about how the surgery will affect the Chron's. He did say that they don't normally do the surgery on Chron's patients but he would do it if my other doc's approved it.
Joined Jan 18, 2009
Mon, August 31, 2009 10:41 PM
Reply posted for loreli115.
Ok, I'm no doctor by all means, but one would think (that's the magical word) that if you DID have the surgery, knowing what you will have to eat afterwards would give your system time heal. Naw......that's too logical.
My best to you. BTW, I packed on 10 lbs while on prednisone, it's not as easy to get off as they say. I believe it will happen, eventually. Time, patience.
;)
Joined Mar 3, 2009
Mon, August 31, 2009 7:29 PM
Reply posted for loreli115.
No - you are not alone. I was just diagnosed with Crohn's in March of this year and I am morbidly obese (319lbs). I have most other complications of the disease BUT not the weight loss. I also have hypothyroid and this is making weight loss a problem. When I was diagnosed I said that I couldn't beat the disease but I wasn't going to let the disease beat me. It truly is wearing me thin (sorry for the pun)!
I also have herniated discs in my back. Neuro Dr. operated last summer without success and he wants to fuse my spine. He told me to lose weight so I looked into the lap band. They won't do the surgery due to the diagnosis of Crohn's. I will not have the fusion surgery as I have found a wonderful pain management dr who has given me shots in my back and at least let me function. Next month I need to talk to him about arthritis as that is becoming an issue.
If you want to "talk" email me at roxannestevens@sbcglobal.net.
Have a sparkling day!
Joined Aug 31, 2009
Mon, August 31, 2009 7:25 AM
Reply posted for loreli115.
Sorry no Ideas about the surgery. Just wanted to say Hay, another person who isn't skinny with the illness. I have UC and everything is geared to loosing too much weight - yeah I wish some days.
Talk to a couple of doctors & see what they say. Also check with people who have had it done (ie this is a good place to ask general people, not just Dr's)!
Good Luck
Joined Jan 21, 2009
Alrightalright