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Yep Riley good stuff. One reason I am trying to step back and not focus so much on the darn scale it becomes an unhealthy obsession for me. I want to lose still but not by worrying so much about how fast. I had a good talk with Robin this week. And told her EVERYTHING and she agreed with me some of my weight gain is the band is to loose. But they don't want me in the ER again so I told her they have to be ok with me going slow.. Cause when I am hungry I am gonna eat. Something good but I am gonna eat. I didn't do this to be miserable all the time. I told her I am thinking the band was not a good choice for me and about the sleeve. They still want me to try which I knew they would. LOL. I just told her I won't eat meat even if that means I fail and she understands and I told her I was frustrated. Anyway same stuff I tell you guys...... I told her some about the whole journaling with feelings and she liked that. I gave you alot of credit Riley Jane~~Or course she won't admit she knows you :-) Anyway she said I was doing everything right and she will talke to Dr. Baggs about what they can do.........ya no fill but like WHEN and how fast can I get fills............so I am going to see Dr. Baggs so we can figure out what to do from here. But ya I guess my appointments weren't cancelled I guess they wanted to check in with me before they cancelled which I didn't know and probably won't have agreed to. I am not one to hide things though. I say the truth the good, bad and ugly. Once they get me on the phone I put it all out there. First words of my mouth were I am fed up with the whole thing and not sure I wanna schedule fills until I can think about what is the utlimate goal here for us as a team....... Ok, ok.......probably way to much of my mouth but that is me. I probably didn't need to be on the phone with anyone that day!!! Tamra whats yor date???

HI, today is my first doctor’s appointment and I'm hoping to get a recommendation for surgery. Not sure if Kaiser will approve. My BMI is almost 37 and I'm pretty healthy. Had an IUD for almost 5 years and just found out that's what probably caused my 50 pound weight gain? Now the weight just won't budge. Does anyone have any tips on how to get approval? :thumbup: Any help/tips would be apprecitated. Thanks, hot42

Mo-I had no idea that mine had eroded I thought because I gained weight from the baby I was just tight. But I was basically throwing up /PBing everything I would eat even sliders which is the opposite of erosion but at the same time I felt like I was always hungry and and couldn't eat enough. So when I went in and had the upper GI done they saw I had a hiatal hernia which was causing me to throw up and the band had eroded which is what was attributing to be weight gain and intense hunger. So when they offered me the sleeve I took it. I'm so glad I did. 4 weeks post op and I'm down 32 lbs. I spent two years being miserable with the band not being able to eat and always being hungry. It was a losing battle for me. So glad to see all of you on here!

Hello Ladies, Thanks for all the support! Christine you ROCK! OMG this has been quite an experience. The day of was good had Icy and Ayesia to prep me. Dr> Park came and briefly spoke to me ,not too chatty as maybe Dr.Baggs. Went in OR at 10:00 came out ... not sure lol. I know we left Richmond around 3:30p.m. Rde was ok, I ust wanted to get home. Had difficulty sleeping GAS is my current nemises:frown:. I have been sipping and walking, however feeling awful still. I tried apple sauce today ad that was not a good ove I think I'll do clear for a while. I have this full sensation that is utterly wierd. I'm sure u guys felt it too. Now let me ask if anyone experienced not beng able to eat all 1/4 cup of applesauce and three ounces of water feelng like a bucket?? I didn't get a call fro anyone so I called and beverly asked that I try stage II.It maybe too soon for it. The good news is that I AM A BANDSTER:thumbup:!!! Iweighed 300 going into OR and weighed this morning at 295.4lbs quite exciting, I guess I didn't ge the weight gain effect. Someone please help wth the ticker thing. I wll post again when I feel a bit better. Once again thanks for all the support!!!

Good morning all - well i was going to wait till Friday to see If I can stick it out with the 3 1/2c servings a day but I've gained another .3lbs so I quit. This can't be a one size fits all plan - back to my 4 mini protein meals tomorrow - gotta grocery shop today! It is the only way I lose weight - I have to eat every 3 hours. Got a busy morning but just wanted to say hi and vent a little on my .3 weight gain! boo hoo. I guess this is just a learing process for me Have a great day all and I will check in and catch up on the posts later this afternoon.

Morning everyone!! Deff check out Walmart Candra, like Pam mentioned. I have friends who have to get prescrptions there because of no coverage, and they only pay $10 or $12 bucks. You might get lucky and be okay! DO NOT FEEL BAD ABOUT YOUR WEIGHT GAIN! I am a yr out and only down 28lbs as of today. At one point I was BACK TO 235 (214 is my lowest) which is bad when surgery morning I was 247; We all have life and issues, and we all have to deal with them somehow. Regardless, you are still smaller then when you started and that right there is something to be happy about! =) Riley how is WW working for you? I go on and off the plan and can't seem to stick with it. Right now I am doing a basic low carb atkins, eating under 20 carbs a day since I don't do well with them. So far down roughly 9 lbs in alil over a week and a half and sure the gym helped as well

I have a hard time with eggs and any type of bread product. The things I miss the most are sandwiches and pizza. I mourn for them, but I am certainly happier with weight loss and if I have to continue to mourn the loss I will. At my last fill which is always done under fluoro, my PA said my pouch had enlarged a little. Of course I freaked, and she said it was nothing to worry about and on a scale of 1-10 with 10 the largest, it was a 2. I told her I had been PBing still trying to find some protein I could eat besides fish. She said to go on liquids for 2 days and eat really small meals after that ( 1 cup at the most) and she would check it again at the end of the month. Has anyone experienced this yet? What did you do and did it work? Wendy said if it didn't revert she could do a complete unfill for a month or more. This idea scares me to death as I picture uncontrollable eating and weight gain. Help!

Hi over 50 gang: I am so grateful to see this site. I am prebanded and my tag says I'm 47 but that is when I started this journey and I am still not banded. I have the worst insurance for LB coverage with Cigna and started with a borderline BMI 37/38. I'm going through the arbitration process ..it's been a long road. In the mean time I'm getting even bigger and morphing into a woman I don't recognize and I don't feel comfortable or particular like what I see at all and I feel like withdrawing and hiding. Most of my life I was a very attractive woman with a good figure and a happy attitude. Later age pregnancy and meopause took me to a weight gain I can't manage on my own. Now I don't know who this woman is in the mirror as of the past few years. The hot summers here are particulary difficult. I stilll go to the gym as I love yoga and excercise but I'm getting down about my new appearance and feel myself withdrawing. Though through all of these hormonal ups and downs one of the things that has kept me from feeling too down is the support I feel from woman in their 50s and 60s 70s and beyond ...woman in these decades of age are just so much cooler, less judgemental, kinder, just more supportive of their fellow female folk. I thank all of you for your smiles, kind words and support.

I too didn't realize you got all your fluid taken out Nicole. But I know you can get back on track - you did great on the pre-op 1200 calorie diet - maybe you should go back to that? I hear you Tina - as we have found out most of our journey is not really about food - it is just our drug of choice to cover up the other issues. I truly believe that for me at least it is maybe better that I didn't get to goal in the first year as then I wouldn't have started to deal with my other issues and started to change my behaviors. I won't probably get to goal even in this second year (end of Aug will be 2 yr since I got banded), but that's okay too. I can't give any advice to the people who have sleeves, but I can let the bandsters know that if you think this is a quick fix - it isn't - and it wasn't intended to be one. It is all the gaining weight, losing weight, gaining weight etc. that messed up our metabolism to start with.

Glad you had a good time Riley woman! A little weight gain is nothing for you and your exercise addicted self - it will come right back off. Ok, so what is the deal with bread - why do you think it is such a problem - i can't eat it anyway because to look at a slice makes me gain 10lbs but why the problem after the band? Doesn't bread desolve quick?

Thanks Riley. I was just on her website looks good. I just need to see if she does fills..................without her doing the surgery. It would be great if I could get Kaiser to pay but I doubt it. I am gonna call her tomorrow to see what she charges and if she is willing to take me as a patient. I think a doctor in town would be better so if I need fills or unfills I don't have to go to ER I can just drive down the road............. Wish me luck. I think there is another lap band doctor in town here close to Sac State and my work. A girl at work that had gastric said I should call her surgeon. I am gonna tell Robin tomorrow what I am thinking about doing. Wish me luck onthat too!!! LOL. I really think I am considered a liability with Kaiser and they are handling my case and fills very different than normal.........I talked to someone at work who told me that leaving the band unfilled for to long does lead to being able to eat to much and weight gain.......she said I should look into a fill doctor in town and get a new start... I will update ya'all once I do my research tomorrow......maybe we can get fills in town?? I will have to figure out the price but if only 100 I could maybe do that every two or three months. WOuld be more than I am getting from Kaiser right now!! :-)

Hey there Loralei & JJ Welcome to LBT and the 50+ gang... As to the pre-op diet - I was lucky only had 7 days of it - but during that 7 days I had to do my colonoscopy so that was one day clear liquids and cleansing :eek: and the day before surgery was clear liquids - I was allowed one small meal - meat - salad - oatmeal for bf & soup or shake for lunch - and oh ya some great protein bars for snacks - so all in all mine wasn't too bad - My doc supplied the shakes, soups & protein bars - and I had 4 oz fish & salad for dinner.. Post op I was on full liquids for 10 days then mushies for 10 then soft for 10 and finally regualr - ck out the food thread there are great ideas there. You will find the longer you are on this site that EVERY Doc is diff in what he tells his patients - some have no pre op some have it for a freakin month - some have liquids for 2 days after surgery and move right to reg food. 1st if all you need to follow your doctors orders - the reason for the liquid is that they stiched your stomach around the band and they don't want that distrubed until it's all healed up - and digesting food make the stomach move so the band can slip and you don't want this. On full liquids I was allowed sf pudding fudgecicles creamed soups of course protein shakes - dannon light & fit yogurt to name a few - I found that potatoes soups were a lifesaver for me - you can find them in by the instant mashed potatoes or soup section. Also homemade broth is so much better than canned or boxed - I found homemade soups the best. I make what I call cream of pinto bean soup - make a pot of pinto beans just like you normally would - after they have cooked spoon out the beans and put them in the blender and puree them - then add them back to the broth - wohla cream of pinto bean soup - you can do the same with navy beans or any bean you like - since you are both in the 50+ club I assume you cook (the younger ones now a days don't - they got fat on fast food - where as I got fat on home cooked foods) The band is a great tool - but that's all it is - it does require will power - the will power to be committed to making a lifetime lifestyle change in your eating habits -(low fat - sugar free - low carb) and adding some kind of exercise into your life (phyl who post here - has bad knees - she does water arobics) Me personally I follow a Weight Watcher type eating plan as I feel its the most balanced - you budget your calories/points for the foods you want to eat. I could never be an atkins girl - I have to have some carbs. I keep a food diary - it is statistically proven that people who do - do better in their weight lost - it's real easy to forget this bite of this or that... I count calories & protein grams - I go to the gym 4 days a week I eat healthy 98% of the time and allow 2% of my eating for treats - not cheat - I am not dieting - I am just eating healthy - I won't always keep my food diary - once I get to goal - I will quit -but the second I gain 5 lbs - I will start logging my food again - Once I get to goal - I will never and yes I mean never allow more than a 5 lbs weight gain - I will never again say oh it's just 5 lbs - then next month - oh its just another 5 lbs no biggie - well before you know it - you are 250 again:eek: Ok - I guess i have lectured enough :thumbup: don't mean to sound preachy - but I LOVE MY BAND - I LOVE ME FOR DOING THE WORK - I FEEL 10 YRS YOUNGER..

Not to change the subject....I know this friend thing has been discussed b/4 but went through it on the weekend and just kind of set me back. I have been feeling pretty good about my weight lose and can tell in my clothes that there is a big change. Went from a 3X top to 1x and that is not tight on me. I have this friend that at one time (about 5 yrs ago) had a super hot body. She got type 1 diabetes a few years ago and started gaining tremendous amounts of weight. She is a person that always says she does not need friends but she makes the exception for me (I'm her one and only). I have always been sympathetic to her weight gain plight, listening to her complaints and what it has done to her emotionally. I am always right there to encourage her when she goes to weight watchers and complement her when she loses. Well, had not seen her since I started to lose weight in Nov. I have lost 46lbs. I figure if I have gone down a couple of sizes, I must look like I have lost a little. NOTHING out of her mouth and I spend 6 hours with her. I brought up my lap band surgery a couple of times but she didn't bite. Either I don't look like I've dropped a pound or she is being really insensitive and jealous. UGH!!!!!!!!.. Jealousy? or did she plain not notice?

Dr Oz says wellbutrin is suppose to address head hunger. But Celexa has a good rep for no weight gain..........ah yea right if you have restriction!! :-P

How much is Dr CDB charging at the moment? And what is the package you have all had? I have made enquiries with Frederik and I am waiting to hear back. I am thinking of doing this to nip my weight gain in the bud so i don't drop dead from heart disease like other females in my family. Also, my mum's diagnosis of ovarian cancer was delayed by months due to her weight. I don't want to take any chances so I want to get a grip on my weight. 14st may not sound a lot but its all relative and I know 14st is not where I am likely to end up. I have generations of female fatties before me.

Poor u Bigisis, it's horrid when you put on especially when it takes you into another stone mark. I'm still weighing in kg until I'm somewhere half decent! I just hope I can limit the damage to weight gain this pregnancy! I'm sure Aunty Wendy will help me on my way!! I'm sure I'll be referred to the consultants at the hospital anyway as my BMI is still over 35.

SO glad you got on OK. Now you can look forward to seeing the weight drop off! I text Freckles yesterday to see how she is getting on. She say hi but her mum is in hospital again with suspected internal bleeding so obviously she's not been able to get on the board. Lots of love to u and ur family Freckles x Morning everyone else. I went to a fete yesterday and had some candy floss! :frown: Not too good for the waistline but it was yum and went down fine (unsurprisingly)! Band still tight but manageable. I hope I don't have these horrible feelings of everytime I have a fill from now on - uncomfortable to drink (not painful like last time) etc. The battery in my scales is dead so need to get a new one ASAP! I'm 5 kg off my pre-pregnancy weight (I was big b4 pregnancy though) which is my first mini target by August whichi s when I return to work. Mainly because I don't want ot have to buy new clothes that I hopefully wouldn't be in long! Once I get to thatweight that'll be 20kg off. Then I'd like ot lose another 20kg (maybe 30kg but it seems surreal!) at least but haven't set any time frames. I am starting to notice the difference. My face is starting to look a little slimmer and my back better (got some back pain after giving birth - blamed it on the baby but probably more the weight gain!!). I can also get up and down off the floor much more gracefully - I found it a bit of a struggle sometimes!

I had my surgery in 2010 (235 lbs 4'11") Today I weigh in at 134. I was at 120 for years but over the last 18 months I work out with weights, do bootcamp classes & try to get running in also. I exercise at least 3-5 days a week. My muscle has definitely increased. All weight gain isn't a failure or negative. I feel my overall body looks & is much better than that super skinny one it once was. Best of luck to everyone, it is a constant battle and fight. Don't give up.

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!

Hi, looking for a place to discuss weight gain after five years. First I had the Lap Band and when that had to be taken out, a few months later I got the Gastric Sleeve. I notice a big difference between the two, I was never hungry with the band and I am not sure if I am hungry with the sleeve or just back to wanting to munch all the time. It has been two years with the sleeve and I know I can eat more. I never reached my goal and had 40 still to go after both surgeries, but I know I have gained just from my clothes and the way they fit if not so much the scale. I am so disgusted with myself after going through all of this that I cannot finish. I was looking for a local support group in the NJ area, still looking. Or a group on line with long term surgery people. Anyway that for listening, write me back if you are having the same issues. Or know a place to go or a on line group.

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!

Just read through this whole post and I am just in the beginning of this journey. So, I haven't had surgery yet. I'm still going through the appointments and consults. However, this story grabbed my attention because this is one of my fears of having this surgery. I don't ever want to go back to old ways. I've already given up a lot of things because of being diabetic. The older I get, the more difficult the diabetes is to control. I take insulin and the insulin causes weight gain. I quit eating carbs and did really well with giving up carbs and sugar stuff. However about almost a year ago my blood sugar numbers started going all kind of whacky. I have not been able to get control back since. I quit smoking over 1-1/2 years ago because of the diabetes as well. I'm so tired of giving things up and nothing changing for the better. This story grabbed me because I don't want to have this dilemma after going through all the appointments, surgery, and the whole liquid to pureed to solid food diet following surgery. I just want to be healthy. I think you are doing wonderful, but my only suggestion would be to quit buying popcorn and chocolate and keeping it available to eat. Keep only the healthy foods and put them in single serve sizes. I try to keep all bad food out of my house. If we host a party or picnic, I will have the foods here for that occasion, but at the end if someone doesn't take the leftovers, they get trashed. I cannot afford to have bad stuff hanging around the house, because if its there, I'll eat it. Hope that helps. Good Luck!

Tomorrow is my one year anniversay and I told my husband this morning that I want to do something special for myself to celebrate. He told me celebrate what-- Did you lose 100 pounds in one year? You cheated on cake and icecream and ate shit sometimes: I told him this was when I was depressed -MOST OF IT WAS BROUGHT ON BY YOU ! ALSO I HAD MY MEDICATION CHANGED 5 TIMES IN 5 MONTHS - MOST CAUSED WEIGHT GAIN THE DOCTOR SAID! He said your going to celebrate a 50 pound weight loss, you act like your lost 100 pounds! I wanted to buy myself an I-pod to encourage me to get back into my exercise routine and to get to the gym. I saw some great sales and he said no,your going to put us back into debut with your spending! So what did I end up getting $40 dollar gold earrings from a gift card that my husband got for Nurse's day ( He is a transporter at a Hospital and they gave the Nurses and Transporters gift cards a while back) so he gave it to me . Iam so mad right now! What made it worse was he came on this site and looked at the post and saw all of your before and after pictures and said - see these woman lost almost 100 pounds WHY COULDN'T YOU ! I HAVE NEVER FELT SO HURT AND LIKE A FALIURE ! My surgery was done on a Tuesday so it was technically a yeas ago today on June 13th. I look at my day of surgery picture and Iam no longer that person , I will never be her :cry. This dam insensitive bastard! Thanks for letting me vent! Lisa

Have you tried meditation, deep breathing, etc.? Stress and anxiety can actually cause weight gain as many of us know. It doesn't really boost the metabolism. Also, exercise can help. I'm the worst one to give advice on that, but your body has to burn off the adrenaline and cortisol produced when we panic/stress. I have a walk planned this evening with a friend around a local lake, but then Aunt Flo showed up this morning, so I'm in pain! Has anyone had worse periods since banding? Mine are awful. I never had a problem with my periods until recently. Maybe I'm just getting older and its not band related. Hang in there Cathy. Glad you had fun in Cali Leece. Stay away from chocolate Cindy!(Or have a protein shake or a chocolate vitamin or a sugar free/fat free/caffeine free mocha or something and gradually the cravings should subside!)

I'm starving corn toasties for breakfast... they work so well everyone has been telling me the weight gain horror stories of lexapro... i lost 3lbs... so i'll take that. i'm still borderline a mess so i can't get into that right now but getting better still starving... and i have a dish of icecream everynight too... but now want nachos!