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Hey kkelly what did your gyno say about your bc. Idk what I'm gonna do. Can't take the pill anymore after surgery. I've tried the ring hated it. Can't get the shot cuz it causes weight gain. I can't get my tubes tied cuz I work for a catholic hosp and they won't pay for it and I can't afford it help!!

I'm sorry you've gone through so much grief and distress. Several antidepressants have been linked to weight gain, so it's possible that could be contributing to yours. I gained 30 pounds quite rapidly from taking Zoloft for grief. I've had more success with a low dose of Wellbutrin (a higher dose caused insomnia and hair loss), though some people haven't been benefitted from it. I've started to read reviews of every medicine I take to better understand the experiences people have on it, so I can be aware of possible side effects. There's a bariatric surgeon named Dr. Matthew Weiner who has several videos on YouTube. In one of them he discusses common reasons for why people gain weight post WLS, and lists medication as a leading cause. Edit: This is the video: About 5-6 minutes in he lists reasons for weight regain, and talks about medication.

OK so you would fall under the 1-5 lbs. I understand you normally lose it, but I'm really just interested in the MOST weight gain sleevers have had. Thanks sweets!

Sounds like you are doing well so far. This topic is about weight gain for those sleevers who are a year or two out and close to goal or at goal and trying to maintain. Good job though on your weight loss

Ouroborous, I love that! I agree, so many people have an unreal expectation of what it is going to be like. Yes, some people drop the weight like no body's business, but I don't think a lot of those people never learn to eat properly and have an increase risk of weight gain later on. And ReallyRosy, it sounds like you are doing everything right! Just keep your head up and try to relax. It will come off! I have a friend that at 6 months out she had a 2 month stall. Partly because of poor eating, but partly because of her body resisting the loss. But it did come off! And you will be able to eat again, but just realize a lot of those foods still need to be eating consciously. I do eat rice, but I will only have a couple of tablespoons because I will eat my protein and veggies first. I have other treats too, like ice cream and popcorn, just not all the time. Some people eat a lot of carb rich foods, I try to avoid those. Things like chips are my weakness, so I never keep them in my house. Keep strong and you will do great!!

Im happy for all of you, but remember this thread is: Weight Gained Since Having Gastric Sleeve Surgery. Thanks gals!

I tried to post yesterday but don't see my comments. Oh well. My story is that I'm now 6 years out as of Jan 9. I don't struggle with weight at all. I started at around 240 and am now 136/137 at 5'7. I wear a size 4 with no changes. I have even been through menopause during this last few years with no weight gain. I don't kill myself with exercise but I do lift weights and have for 20 years and do light cardio. It's just not necessary to do more to maintain. Also, I eat a plant based diet so the majority of my intake is carbs. I've also had 2 rounds of plastics. The first one was 4 1/2 years ago and the second a year later. I just think this is where my body wants to be. I do suffer from autoimmune arthritis and osteoarthritis and need knee replacements but I'm not ready for that yet. I'm actually afraid I'll lose more weight with a big surgery. Laura

I actually have heard of people coming home from Mexico with no sleeve. You'll have to get a scope to find out what's going on with your stomach. I continue to battle my addiction to sweets every single day. Right now I am up 4 lbs from my goal weight and I know if i don't take it off, it will be 15 again. People tend to think once you're sleeved, you don't have to battle your weight ever again. That is only true for the first few months when we can barely eat. It's a life long struggle to eat right and know that extra treats will cause weight gain. I keep them out of the house, but I have such little willpower when anyone offers me junk I know I shouldn't have.

Had my surgery on Sept 11, 2012 so about a year and 1/2 ago. Made my goal at about 10 months and then adjusted it down. Starting weight was 239 and I have fluctuated between 123 - 127 for the past 6 months. I am super happy about that. I have always weighed myself every day, it worked for me and didn't make me crazy because I was pretty prepared for the stalls etc, so when I notice a little changed, I either eat a little more or a little less, it has been working real well for me. Escaped Christmas with no weight gain although I never felt like I was cheated from not having what I wanted to eat. Merry Christmas and Happy new me!

You don't sound like a d**k, and I get where you are coming from. Yes, I haven't been out of surgery long, and yes, I am aware of the "honeymoon period." My surgeon and support staff went over all that with me time and again before I made the decision to have the surgery. Nothing is a magical "fix-all" to obesity or weight issues, and yes, it will be constant work. A large part of my weight issue stemmed from a psychiatric medication that I was given, as I mentioned earlier. It is called Zyprexa, and this is a very well-known side effect. It made my appetite go through the roof, and though my psychiatrist stopped it after a meeting with my GP and my appetite went back to "normal," the weight wouldn't come off. I followed a medically supervised diet to the T and went through the whole "yo-yo" effect because yes, the body does get used to having a new "normal" weight when you are obese and as far as I have been told, surgery is the only thing that can actually have a true long-term effect. It has now been written in every medical folder I have, psych and physical, that I cannot be put onto weight positive medication again, so if this fails, it is all on me. I have a will of Iron...always have. It is one of the reasons I was so frustrated on my medically supervised diet where I was focusing on following it to the letter, doing what I was told, and having no success. I'm not saying I am better or worse off at anything than anyone else, but we are all different people with different backstories who have gone through different struggles. Most of the staff at my surgeon's office are bariatric patients themselves, many who have been post-op for a long time, and they have had success by following the plan given to them by their surgeon and using the tool they were given. I think that though it will be a struggle in the long term, and there is always the possibility of regain, it comes down to the individual and how closely they follow the lifestyle change they originally set upon and use the "tool" that is surgery. I'm not trying to start some sort of forum flame war and I appreciate your thoughts and advice. I'm in this for the long haul. I wanted to get back to the healthy and active lifestyle I had before my weight gain, and that is what I have set my mind to ensuring happens. If I regain 5-10-15 pounds in a year or two or three, I will work double time like hell to get back to where I am now. There is absolutely nothing worth eating good enough to give up my health for...NOTHING. I see people on my table every day who die from issues related to obesity, and I've made up my mind that will not be me.

And weight gain from exercise is muscle being built. You can weigh more but be smaller in inches!

I totally agree that everyone should share whatever they want. I just have to clarify...you are exactly 17 days post op..right? You say you were on liquids for 2 weeks right? You had invasive surgery less than 3 weeks ago right? Without any further research would it be reasonable to surmise that the weight gain would be from surgery and a full liquid diet? I believe so. Your doctor SHOULD have given you realistic expectations but by your anger and comments it is CLEAR the/he did not. Well, now you know. How you choose to proceed is completely up to you. I would be upset as well if my doctor didn't give me detailed information..but I also did MONTHS of research for myself before making such a HUGE risk of surgery..and everything everywhere states pretty clearly what the expectation with the band is. I find that many people just take what their doctor has to say and runs with it...NOT ME!!! Not to sound rude..but your expectations are not going to be fulfilled as you had thought..I would regroup, educate myself and start again with a positive and fresh mindset. No need to dwell on what cannot be changed in my opinon..best of luck!!!

OK so this reflects the weight gain from my junk food frenzy and the again lost. I went up to 294! and am back down to 292 after one day of being good and back on track All I have to say is that logging my food in fitday makes a huge difference for me. It forces me to acknowledge everything I eat. Name..........................Starting…...…..Current….…..Goal…....To Go Juliegeraci......................238............. ...... 238.................228.............10 Lapbandit.......................231............... .....226………….199.............27 Waterlily.........................300............. .......292.................264.............28 Roiansmom.....................299................. ....299.................270.............29 Libra...............................248........... .........242.................228.............14 JulieNYC........................212............... .....205.................185.............20 Elisabethsew...................282................ ....276........... ......264.............12 PeaCeJ...........................338.............. ......338.................318..............20 RidinMyHDDream......... 297.....................289 .................281...............8 Babygirl1234..................260................. ....253.................240..............13 Leecelove70...................228................. ....228.................200..............28 Josette............................351........... ..........351.................335..............16

I want to have a realistic picture of what this surgery will mean. I am trying to tally up the worst case scenarios, and maybe they are just the "likely" or "eh...could happen" scenarios. From what I've learned on vst, here's what I can expect, in stages: (Although everyone is different!) -Excitement and counting down the days -Hatred of pre-op diet -Nervous, scared, possibly terrified -Sore, nauseous, tired, puking, thirsty -Low energy,trouble drinking, buyer's remorse -Dehydration, weeks of nausea -Sick of Protein shakes, miss chewing -Difficult adjustment, missing food as comfort mechanism, depression -3 week stall, fits and starts, disappointment in slow loss -Judgment from people who know -Trial and error of foods, vomiting when intolerant or too much -Trouble eating in restaurants, missing old life -hair loss, sagging skin, face looking older -Encouraging weight gain, adjustment to new life -Happiness, feeling of accomplishment as getting close to goal -Realization that battle isn't won, won't ever be "over" -Dedication and diligence -Hunger, capacity to eat increases -Rededication after small regain -Acceptance that the fight is eternal I'm the type of person who feels more comfortable having a complete picture of what can happen. I don't want to go into this with rose colored glasses. Any additions? Subtractions? Thoughts? I know that NOT ALL people have all or even some of these. Again -trying to look at possible downsides so I don't get caught up in thinking this is the solution to all life's problems.

My name is Kristen...and I am totally a food addict. It took me forever to figure that out. I eat because I love, love, love food. I am not an emotional eater. I am not eating to hide myself. I just love food so much, and I experience "high's" from food consumption, just as a drug addict would. I also work in software development. I work from home for a company on the east coast as a SQA engineer...and I also have a photography business. I am 39 years old, and as long as I could remember I have struggled with my weight. For me there wasn't a moment where I became fat, like having a baby or something...no, I have just always struggled with my weight. I have yo-yo'd with diets and weight gain all of my adult life. So last May, my mom had a heart attack. She has always been successful managing her weight, and it happened to her. So I knew it was time to change. I started my VSG journey in October of 2012. I was sleeved on 1/28. For the most part, I have had very little complications. Immediately after surgery, my hearts started having a lot of PVC's (irregular heart beats), so I got the whole cardio package in the hospital. I have always had PVC's, but I guess they didn't occur in the surgery, and started pretty crazy in recovery. I am still working at getting released from the cardiologist, but I am thankful that they are taking it so seriously. I was sleeved in Topeka, KS! Recovery has been pretty good since then. I am down 42 lbs at 4 weeks out. However, that includes my pre-op diet. I am married with two children. My kids are 18 & 20. Daughter is 20 and getting married in the fall. She is a junior in college and studying to become a HS English teacher. Son is 18, and a freshman in college, not sure what he wants to do. My husband is the best person I have ever met in my life. We have been married over 21 years, so if you do the math - we got married at 18. Ran off and eloped 3 days before he left for basic in USAF! Pre-op, I truly had a lot of self confidence. At one of my dr's visits, my Dr. was talking about my daughter;s wedding and she said something like "You are going to look so much better then!". My reply was "I look pretty dang good now!" I am not really that conceited, but I do hate the idea that people think they were hideous when they were overweight. But then again, my husband tells m everyday how beautiful I am...so he would never allow me to feel ugly. He has been so supportive of me getting the sleeve, too...frequently telling me how proud of me he is. My husband and I coach a competitive fastpitch 18U team in NE KS. We love our players and their families. This is our 5th year. Both of us have a tremendous heart for children/teens. We have invested much of our life into the youth ministry. My personality, I am always upbeat and happy. It is a choice I make everyday. I used to be pretty negative. Then I realized I was the one with the problem, not the rest of the world. So now I choose happiness. I choose laughter and often times silliness. Life is way too short to be miserable. I have already offended a couple on here with my sense of humor, I suspect that I probably will offend someone else. So I apologize in advance and will try to be on my best behavior. I stress "try". The last few weeks of my life have been really hard, so my theories on happiness have been challenged hardcore. One of our softball players was in a car accident and broke her neck. Because of her circumstances, my husband and I think of this young lady as our own. She frequently stays with us, and we pick up a large portion of her softball expenses. When it was time for college recruiting, we took her on all of her college visits....so watching her go through what she did...I truly felt like it was my own kid. While she was in the hospital, my son received some devestating news. His football career is over. He was recruited by over 100 schools his junior and senior years in HS. Several D1's were in that mix. He took an illegal hit to his right knee in a game in his senior year...3 surgeries later it is somewhat fixed. Test results on his left knee shows a 4th surgery is in the future, so as a family we made the decision that football was finished. Knees are something you need a lot longer that a college football career. My daughter pitched in college and made the decision to retire after her sophmore season, because of health issues...that was hard...but she at least got to play in college and experience that. My son signed for a college, but never stepped on the field. Then after all of this...we are dealing with the impending/looming sequestration. If congress doesn't agree on something by Friday, my husband will soon lose his job. He has been an air traffic controller for 21 years, and he will lose his livlihood. There will not be any other ATC jobs if this happens. The tower he works at is scheduled to close as part of the Dept. of Transp. cuts. In all of this, we will make it. We are blessed...am hoping for things to chill out a bit, though. This is who I am...I look forward to getting to know some good support friends on here. God bless, Kristen

Weight gain is caused by high protein food and lack or exercise. Exercise and proper diet are very important to lose weight and improve fitness. Avoid all high protein food like meats, nuts, grains, cheese, fast foods, fried and dairy products. Eat fresh fruits, vegetables, yogurt, drink green tea, fruit juices and plenty of water. Go for walking, running, cycling, practice push ups, bench press and chair squat. It improve mood, burns fat,make strong bones and muscles, boost energy, improve heart functions and improve fitness. Lakewood personal trainer

So, I just had my blood tests and MRSA swabs in advance of surgery next week (1st March) and decided that I would detail my journey here. Partly because I want to remember to come back on here when things get tough and I need a reminder of why I am doing this, and partly because I want to have a record of what I’m doing anyway, and I figure that having one that others can read, contribute to and, maybe, learn from (if I ever get to the point of having any lessons to teach) is as good a way as any. So, my background… I’m 29, living in London. I’ve always been overweight, ever since I was a kid, but my weight has fluctuated a lot. Generally, when I move to a new place, it falls, until I discover all the good places to eat, when it rises again. About five years ago I managed to get down to about 200lbs, but since then have crept steadily up and now I am about 290lbs. I think as I get a bit older, I’m realising a bit more the impact my weight is having on me. Over the last couple of years – walking has become more of a chore, for the first time, tying a seatbelt on an airplane has become a problem, I feel less and less energy and more strain on my joints. And I simply don’t want that to get worse. I haven’t felt any motivation to lose weight since that last time in 2009, and I had to admit to myself that I never will be able to do this on my own. So I have a choice. Continue to put on weight. Face into my thirtieth birthday at nearly 300lbs, maybe my 35th at 400lbs – who knows. And continue to see my body become more and more unable to cope. Or I stop. I take action, accept that I’m not going to be able to do it alone and take measures that will force me into a position of being healthier. It’s also driven by the fact that I want to have kids. As I’m gay, the most likely way for that is to adopt, but I’m pretty sure that I wouldn’t be approved as an adopter at my current weight. And even if I was, I don’t think I could be a good dad as I just wouldn’t have the energy to be rolling around playing with a kid and giving them the attention they deserve. I decided to self-fund for the operation. I have been diagnosed with sleep Apnoea (in December) through the NHS, and since that’s technically a comorbidity, my GP did say that I could be put on the NHS waiting list. But faced with a wait of two years or more, I decided it would be better to just get it done privately. So I met with my surgeon, Ameet Patel, before Christmas. I had hoped to have it done before Christmas, but I was due to start a new job on the 12th, and he said that if I had the operation on the 3rd or 4th January, he wouldn’t recommend me going to work on the 12th. So I decided to wait until Easter when I could take some time off work. As it turned out, there were no available dates at Easter, and leaving it later brings me too close to a trip I have planned at the end of May. So I ended up plumping for 1st March. I’ve had no pre-op diet to follow, so I’ve probably been a bit naughty in what I’ve been eating since I found out my date. I know I shouldn’t but I have been seeing these last weeks as an opportunity for one last hurrah with food. Biggest Fears I was sent my consent form in the post, and seeing the risks in black and white terrified me – especially where it just bluntly lists ‘Death’ as a risk. Even though I’ve talked them through with Dr Patel, and even though I know the risks are very low, they feel very real now. I’ve started to think about things I need to do in case the worst happens, and again, I know it’s a very low risk, but my family live in a different country, so I’m making sure my partner has their number in case he needs to call them etc. The reality of that is kinda scary. I’m also scared of complications – and not knowing whether pain is normal or a sign of something more serious. But my biggest fear is that I just won’t be able to be happy when I can’t eat what I want to. I keep telling myself that being able to go shopping for clothes or go for a run or exercise without wanting to collapse will all make up for any feeling of deprivation – and that I won’t feel that deprived because I just won’t have the same appetite that I have now. But it is probably my biggest fear that I will spend the rest of my life regretting what I’ve done. To combat that I just keep reminding myself that the price of having that total freedom to eat what I want is looking and feeling like I do now – I plan to keep a photo diary of my journey to remind myself that however much I regret not being able to eat what I want when I want, it will be nothing compared to the regret I would have if I had the opportunity to get healthy but turned it down. My Hopes This is the bit that keeps me going. My main hope – what I desperately hope – is that the tales I’ve heard of your tastes changing are true. I would dearly love to wake up from the operation and be revolted by the foods I used to love and suddenly find love for the foods I used to hate. If only I could like vegetables and low fat foods more! My biggest hope is that my tastes will change, so that when I can’t pig out on chips it won’t matter to me because I don’t want to pig out on chips. The same applies – big time – to Diet Coke. I’ve never been one for full fat soft drinks, I find them syrupy. But I love diet coke, and I am really dreading not being able to have it. If I could wake up and not desire it, that would be super. I’m not claiming these hopes are realistic. More generally – like everyone – I hope this works. My thirtieth birthday is in October and I have a vision of how I will look and feel for it. I hope that vision becomes a reality. I also hope that my relationship withstands the change. My partner has been incredibly supportive. I think one of the reasons I put on weight is that he loved me and found me attractive when we first met and I was overweight (but still, I was only about 200lbs) – I think my mind went ‘yay, you found someone who’s attracted to you even when you’re fat…eat away’. But my weight gain has made me feel less attractive and so has impacted on our relationship. As I say, he’s been really supportive and I just hope that the changes don’t result in any changes to how either of us feels about the other. So, having rattled on for too long, let the journey begin…

Since I have decided to be sleeved ( I am not yet) I have gained about 15 lbs. It really is the "worst" and "hardest" 15 lbs. I regret it terrible. I had no physical ailments related to weight except for my appearence yet since my recent weight gain, my feet ache, my back hurts and now finally my wedding rings no longer fit. You would think that would halt it as this stage considering I need to prepare myself. I have asked myself why, I can not come up with an obvious answer why I continue to sabatage when I am so gong ho and excited about being sleeved. I can say there is a fear behind it for I feel it but can not quite say it is because I will no longer have food. I realize I can eat in the future, I read read read on here. Look up all types of info on being sleeved but continue to just eat. I know this surgery is not magic fix it all surgery. It is hard work and dedication. I just keep saying -this to shall pass..... focus, focus, focus. Being aware is part of growing out of it right. I am surprised but not really so many are doing this. I am so glad I seen this post. Somehow it gives me hope.

Welcome back QT! I am so sorry to hear about everything going on in your life the last month or so! I understand your pain...Last Dec 14th (06) My MIL had a massive stroke, too. We also spent the holidays at Grant...Long story short...she beat the odds and woke up on Christmas day! She has came a long way, but has lost speech, and the use of her legs and right arm...I tried to take care of her here at my house, but after about 6 weeks we had to put her in a nursing home. It is a nice place, as nursing homes go, but I sure do wish I could have kept her home with my FIL. The are only in their 50's so it makes for a long road a head for them... anyway...I am sooo proud of you for keeping the scales moving in the right direction. I know all of the stress along with the holidays could have been a major weight gain for anyone! Thanks everyone for the support. I am so excited for the next few weeks...between the vacation and surgery, Time is going to fly!!!!

And omg, how he responded to Miss California, calling her a "dumb bitch" on his blog. He's a piece of crap, pure and simple. Oh, and the weight gain thing? You're so right. And until recently, he was a fatso himself. Hypocrite.

froggi you are absoultely right - i have no frame of reference of those in the higher BMI range. being 5'2 and 198lbs as joy states, puts her BMI at 35.2. that's obese. your surgeon would ask her to leave? i just have such issues all around with parameters put on Age or Weight and who deserves surgery. i gotta tell ya, if i could have had the band placed in my 20's to PREVENT weight gain - more so than weight loss ; i would have paid the coin to do so, like i did when i DID get the band and insurance thought i needed to diet. i read the previous posts about young adults/teenagers getting banded; i think the parents of these youngsters are best equipped to decided their childrens mental health to handle WLS. i must say the mental anguish of being the "fat" kid must certainly far outweigh learning to deal w/the tool...MO only,

Morning Girls. I hate when I have a crappy sleeping night. Oh well. This morning is our Family Breakfast, so I need to go in and get my hair dried and get dressed. Need to get the butt moving. Afterwards we are going over to Shoe Carnival. They are haveing a shoe sale and I need to find me some new walking shoes. Last time we went, they didn't have my size so I'm hoping I have luck today. "Alaska State Troopers"? Never heard of that one. I bet it's kinda good though. What channel is it on? Michelle, I've never taken anything like that so I have no advice for you. But I would be weary of anything that does cause a weight gain. Kat, Is it possible to hang on and look for a new job? I hate that if it wasn't for the OM, that you would have the ideal job. Good Luck. Jenn, Hugs to you and hope you get to feeling better. I'm off to go eat, lol. Everyone have a great day.

Hello there.. I wouldn't be worried about MRSA in ACS really. If you are paranoid Just mention it a lot!!! Allure...I understand what you are going through. Remember though that this is not like before & you have to learn now how to LIVE with your band and how to incorporate life & your social arena into your journey. It is possible to drink, have cake, don't do the hermit thing and don't be the DD every time there's a night out! Start learning how to live an UNDIET life. You got this band to help you change yourself, dieting alone didn't work. The band is all about portion control and I have found that by being able to portion food correctly I have plenty of room for other things in life I can enjoy without the guilt or the attitude that I'm struggling or that I've spoiled it!! My sister is a regular size and maintains this while being addicted to chocolate, she is also at weddings ALL the time & drinking is a weekly occurance for her. She eats McDonalds on occasion, Indian food , Chinese..basically everything and I always felt she was free to eat whatever without a yoyo effect. BUT i knew that she had some key that I needed to figure out so I began to observe. What I DIDN't observe before was the way she managed this. I only saw her eating or drinking "forbidden" things. That was selective on my part coz I wanted to believe what I suffered (weight gain/yoyo) was unfair when I would eat like her. She sticks to a sensible diet ( WW points system) most of the week saving points etc for the times she would be out. Her portions are MUCH smaller, allowing for a good points saving. If she is going to the cinema, she will save herself for a large popcorn. She doesn't bother with her dinner becuase she'd rather have the popcorn. Now this isn't exactly ideal, but it is the way she NATURALLY has become. She is constantly making allowances for her indulgances. This is what I discovered and this is where I always went wrong. As a serial dieter, I would BAN everything. I would try getting the most food in for my points throughout the day and then when I'd go to the cinema I'd cave in and do the popcorn on top of that "BLOWING IT" hence starting the pattern of an "I've blown it, I can't do this attitude" Instead of anticipating my evening, what I WANT out of it and planning my day around ALLOWING for my wants. This doesn't mean I ALLOW myself everything I fancy, I just am very much aware of what hasn't worked in the past and am aware of my strengths & weaknesses & past mistakes and am now being conciously better prepared for the times when I know if I am too strict I will face a difficulty, a conflict and DIET mode will kick in, leaving room for feelings of deprivation, followed by negative rebellious behaviour. I have also given myself the gift of time & patience. I could and have been known to loose 7lbs in one week on a diet. That entails a week of starving, no bread, no drink, going to bed early & generally being a crank and it's always the longest week EVER. My sister could take up to 7 weeks to loose that same 7lbs, but she will not lock herself away to do it...but she has the same result for less pain & aggravation than I. Because she KNOWS it will come off if she works toward it. She does not have the panic & fear I have. Because I know that seven lbs is threatening my happiness and I will postpone said happiness until it comes off...and I will be miserable not only getting it off but also when it comes off because it was SUCH hard work... This is our problem, we are unrealistic, unyielding, perfectionists and deny ourselves happiness until we feel we are starving our weight off. Let's just try to have happiness now, live our lives and not become our former selves in search of the urgent need to loose weight. You can have your cake & eat it..as long as you count for it. Do not feel guilty anymore...it's OK. I am following WW points system as I go right now, because my holy grail is finding balance this time. It is not about loosing as much weight as I can in as short a time as possible...that didn't work before for me. Sure I dropped an enormous amount of weight & stunned everyone around me but I was miserable all the time, and as soon as I start living again there it was, following me, creeping back on and my heart was breaking a little bit more with every gain because I felt now that I had done the work in one massive effort I should never have to suffer the burden again....WRONG!!! Now I take care to eat, staying within my allowance and being VERY good on days where I have nothing on. If something comes up, like a wedding I know that I have to make room for those calories and I do. then when the wedding day arrives I am free to Celebrate like everyone else but only for that day, or if it's a two day thing so be it. My preparation for getting back on track STRAIGHT AWAY after the celebrations is that I take extra Vitamins, especially B vitamins to give myself the extra energy to get up & not be dragges down by an extended lapse. I enjoy, forgive and get back to work. this is all new to me, but I find it's the only way I can give myself the gift of leaving my past behaviour behind...it truly broke my soul battling my weight for so long. I don't want that anymore, so I have opened my eyes and learned from my past & know my SELF well enough to tailor this band journey to my best advantage. I have lost 26lbs now, I have 5 stone to go, but I feel so good about myself NOW...I am not postponing credit for when it's all off...I am giving myself credit EVERY DAY and walking beside myself NOW this present minute on my journey. I don't LOOK like I have 5 stone to go because I am happy & confident & people notice that as the biggest change of all. I look content NOW...I am relaxed & happy & open. More so than ever, even being a size 12 before I was not as beautiful as I am now because size 12 wasn't good enough and it was a total sacrifice getting there, I was bitter having to work so hard to be something others seemed to maintain so easily. I know now, nothing is easy, but it doesn't have to be hell either. KNOW YOURSELF & work with that. MAKE LIFE WORK FOR YOU...don't spend another minute denying yourself, keeping you happinness locked away in fat prsion!! this is a major ramble but I have to stress to you not to do what you've always done...change your ways, accommodate your self your needs, accept your weaknessess & gather your strengths..Make it all work for you & enjoy your life. Loosing one pound sucks when you're being SO GOOD & denying yourself everything, being too strict & sacrificing, but it's a victory when you give yourself the freedom to LIVE your live how you want, within your boundaries & means realistically, and had a good time while you were at it. I am finally happy to accept one pound!!!

My Doctor (who is the inventor of the Duodenal Switch), doesn't believe in the liquid diet. Just clears 24 hours before. Due to my medication which was changed recently, my hormonal treatment made me gain weight. My doctor spoke with my Endocrinologist who verified the reason for the weight gain and understood. Weight gain, for people with medical illnesses could come for other reasons besides over eating. A good doctor will look for the reason why. My surgery is still on target for February 28, weight gain and all.

I do feel compelled to say, however... (though it has been said before) It seems a lot of us with medical issues that contribute to weight gain (myself included at one point) tend to act as though food has nothing to do with the weight gain. If that is true, weight loss surgery wouldn't help. It is important to be honest with ourselves and realize that our eating habits are indeed a problem. Maybe not the ONLY problem, but a problem.