Search the Community

So I forgot to put this last week. I was reading some article in People magazine that was about that country singer that's married to Garth Brooks. I know her because of her cooking show on food Network: Trisha Yearwood. She's lost about 30 pounds and I figured this would be the same old kind of article about eating right and exercise that we always see. It wasn't. She was so honest about living her life at size 16 for decades and just wanting to be able to be less tired. The thing I thought was so cool about this piece was when she said a couple of weeks ago after some awards thing her and Garth were flying back and she ate an In N Out burger with fries and a coke and she had two Peanut Butter cups. Usually she'd just go "Well, my diet is ruined so I might as well just keep eating everything I want to eat" but now she thinks "Ok. I splurged. No big deal." and the next day she ate like she was supposed to and went to Zumba class and that was that. And she didn't have any weight gain and realized this is how normal people eat. Normal people do not beat themselves up everytime they have a burger. Normal people do not constantly think about food or the ramifications of having a piece of chocolate. As long as your indulgences are limited to splurges and not an everyday occurence, we should stop being so obsessive and negative towards ourselves. I really found this helpful. I am just like that. I'll eat chips and think "Well, since I've already come this far" when really I just need to go "Those were a great treat. Where's my Water?" instead. Alright. That's all. Just felt like sharing. Ters

The gym I belong to recently remodeled the weight room so I thought it an appropriate time to focus on cardio. The remodel was scheduled to take 2 weeks, so I figured I would dedicate myself to hitting the elliptical with a vengeance. The weight room was done early, but I kept my promise to myself and stuck to the cardio for the entire time. This gave my entire body time to "rest" from the weights, but I have to admit that it was damned hard to stick to it since I really don't like cardio. As a result of my experiment, I can squeeze into a medium shirt comfortably now. But as a headscratcher, I have gained 4 lbs since I last weigh-in (3 weeks ago). My pants are also down to 34's, so I don't think that it is weight gain from lack of exercise or a BM waiting to happen. Today was my first day back to the weights and it was leg day. I am not a fan of leg day, but I know it is necessity. I am happy to say that I have finally made some gains on my squat, 155 lbs! Just two months ago, I could only do 115 and now through perseverance I am making some gains. I am only 45 lbs away from my goal of body weight. Well, almost... it will depend on how much muscle I gain in the coming months. Everything else appears to have stayed the same, deadlift is still a working set of 185 with a max lift of 200. I am curious how my chest and arm days will turn out later this week. I'll have to report back then.

It sounds like you are way too tight. Contrary to popular belief tighter isn't better. It can lead to both weight gain and slips. You are clearly exhibiting "soft calorie" syndrome because you're too tight. Please read this article, it will help considerably: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/page/index.html/_/support/post-op-support/tighter-isnt-always-better-r118

My name is Mel, I am 31 years old & I have just finished all my requirements prior to submitting my Prior Authorization request to Insurance. Before I do, I have to tell my patient advocate if I want the Rouxen-Y or the Sleeve. I am a little unsure. I am 270 lbs, 5'3", I am at my highest. I am lucky to have an insurance plan that covers WLS at 90%. I recently entered into a relationship with a great man and her is very supportive of my choice to do this. However, recently the topic of children came up. Now, I had my tubes tied 7 years ago and I have 2 boys ages 7 & 11. He, however, does not have any children. And he wants to have 1, just 1. Now I have read online how you should wait between 12-18 months post surgery before you try to have a baby. And I am currently researching TR & IVF options. I am doing all the research now so I know what I am getting into. I am wondering, has anyone else ever gone through this situation? If so, I am wondering, if I am planning to have a baby later is it best for me to.... 1. Rouxen-Y or the Sleeve? 2. Whats the weight gain like? will I regret it? 3. Will I be able to nourish an unborn baby adequately? 4. Will getting pregnant cause damage to my existing WLS? 5.... is there anything else I should consider? Any feed back is greatly appreciated. I really want to be able to make a good choice before I decide which surgery to go with.

Hello all so yesterday I weighed myself and I.T look like I have gain weight instead of losing .. went from 193 on April 24 to 198 on April 30th . My nurse friend told me could be water weight or the fact I haven’t poop ? I’m not gonna lie feel like I’m failing and I’m a bit paranoid .. this COVID -19 has made me stressed eat only at work . Btw I work at a hospital on a covid floor.. Help ! I need some encouraging words

Yes it does. I had un-diagnosed PCOS for 30+ years. When it was finally spotted and treated the Metformin and hormone troche together meant that I dropped 20+kg without changing my diet. Then the thyroid went and my TSH was off the scale almost at 57, I thought I was dying. The result after 18 months with no thyroid was that my weight had gone up and over my previous untreated PCOS maximum and was at 138kg. I am now down to 105kg since my op in Aug 09. The band, with some restriction, stops me feeling hungry early in the day then lunch-time onwards I just eat the normal low GI food that is best for PCOS folks anyway. The weight loss helps with the insulin resistance which in my case has turned into type 2 diabetes due to the thyroid collapse, I think I am now back down to just plain old fashioned IR again now. :-) I thought like you that it wouldn't be any benefit but once I hit 138kg, after fighting the insulin resistance weight gain all my life and then having the thyroid do so much to add to that side of it, my GP recommended it and I said...but I am overweight because of medical conditions that will still be there working against me even with a band and I felt very mis-understood by them. I talked to a top diabetes expert and my trusted endocrinologist (who had diagnosed the very obvious PCOS missed by my Gp's for so many years) between us we decided that at 45 years of age I did not want to spend the next 3 years trying to get my weight back to where it had been before my thyroid packed up. My life was wasting away and I decided after much research and heartache that I did not want to die of a heartattack while I undid the damage from the PCOS and Hashimotos. I felt cheated, like it wasn't my fault and why did I have to have the operation. I also struggle with the pre and post op care as no one reads my records and assumes I am a junk food addict that sits on my butt watching TV and stuffing my face all day and that's why I am overweight! If your excess weight is due to the IR then so long as you are having Metformin for it, hormone treatment for the excess androgens and Oroxine or whatever (none generic, go for the full price brand,,,there is a difference!) for the Hashimotos it should benefit you. Make sure your T3 & T4 are at the high end of the range and your TSH at the lowest end to get the best benefit from your thyroid meds. PCOS is hard to deal with as it is a collection of symptoms that are too often attributed to other things. The PCOS symptoms are related to an excess of androgens and Insulin Resistance. These need to be treated by a doctor with specialist knowledge. Menstruation needs hormones to regulate it. The body hair is the wrong sort, male hair not the softer velus female hair, hair growth can slow down and lighten if hormone and hair treatments are used at the same time. Excess body weight, probably carried centrally - small bum, skinny legs and big round belly, is caused by Insulin Resistance which prevents you from using and causes you to store too much of the energy you consume, Metformin deals with this and then the band will give you the best help to get rid of the excess weight you have probably amassed throughout the years. Both Hashimotos and PCOS are autoimmune type conditions. Auto Immunes tend to run in packs!! Most people that are diagnosed with one have or end up with more than one. Good luck with your decision and journey. I would say that the band in conjunction with Thyroid treatment and PCOS management will take you where you want to be. I'll see you when you get there :-)

Has anyone gained weight while being on a liquid diet? I started my Optifast diet on the march 5th, as of today I gained 3 lbs. I have not cheated at all, I scheduled for surgery on the 19th. I currently weigh 247 and the dr wants me to loose 17 by the 18th. Does anyone know what I can do?

Yeah, I'd definitely get in touch with the doctor to see what's going on. You shouldn't be consuming enough to result in weight gain in such a short period, though the body does do strange things (you'll find THAT out post-sleeve when you gain weight on 600 calories XD) when it comes to weight loss.

When I flew to London, I stopped over in Paris, and in the airport, they had these little lunch places. The French people were sitting in there eating these tiny slices of pizza, like the size if you cut one of our regular slices of pizza into three, and that was their one piece. The yogurt containers were about three ounces, and the sodas were about 6 ounces. I never saw anything like it. I also read an article once that said the average caloric intake for a French person is 1,200 per day! When they're not on a diet! In the same article, it said these French people went into a Mcdonald's and ordered a happy meal and they were "stuffed". In another article I read, a British woman and her mother came here to the states and went out to dinner, and when the plates came out, they burst out laughing because they thought it was a joke because the portions were so enormous. They were horrified to find out that it was a "normal" restaurant portion. When a friend of mine (who is very slender and eats very sparingly as it is) went to Paris, he stayed with a friend, and the friend would give him a tiny slice of quiche for breakfast, and my friend was ready to pass out! His friend was disgusted with him for being hungry all the time. The French also do not snack in between meals, ever. In my old job a few years ago, there was an intern from France, and one day we ordered Chinese food. It came in one of those round metal containers (about 10 inches in diameter). She said to me "no offense, but I have to say, you Americans wonder why you're all so fat, and the reason is this" (she pointed to the container) "Back home", she said "this would be lunch for me and four other people. Here, it's lunch for one person." Also, I met a girl from Germany who had moved here to the states, and she said that since coming here, she had gained 18 pounds without changing her portion sizes or the type of foods she normally ate back home. She attributed this weight gain to the fact that all of our food is so heavily processed. She said in the UK, all foods are fresh and often organic, and that they purchase foods fresh every day instead of relying on canned, frozen, and boxed foods like we do here. So, my two cents is that yes, we eat waaaaay more than the rest of the world and our food is crap. My best friend is Indian, and she said their plates are much, much smaller, and their large pizza is the size of an individual pizza here. Also, she says all their food is fresh and unprocessed. I believe that if Americans ate like the rest of the world, a large percentage of obesity would go away.

Just was wondering if others have a weight gain right after surgery. I know that it must be water weight but I gained 7 pounds! How quickly did you lose it? thanks for your response

I just asked this question to my nutritionist last week. She said that my surgeon's protocol is to loosen the band after a certain number of years (I can't remember how many) at goal weight. The reason for this is to avoid any complications linked with a potentially-inflammatory implanted device, especially as one gets older. My surgeon has observed that by that time...(the certain number of years maintaining), the patient has acquired the eating and exercise habit/mindset etc that will prevent him/her from gaining the weight back. If the patient observes weight gain after the band losening, he/she is instructed to return for a fill immediately.

Hello everyone thx for commenting! I will try the shakes. I have done some research on weight gain shakes. so far I have tried whey protien powder, with oatmeal, banana, peanut butter, and whole milk. it was pretty tasty so I will contiune those in between meals and see how that works. @SqueakyWheel&Ethyl thanks for the kind words, my family and friends all say i look great and dont look sickly skinny as I think I do.. you have a hand full of folks that think i lost too much weight but I am sure they have said it to others and not me. I am actually a little smaller than I was in high school and I have always been very curvy (thick or thin) but now I am starting to see the curvy vanish and that's bothering me more than anything. I guess this is why they say it's important to attend support groups and ect after but I have failed to do so. I have also not been taking my vit. like I should and I also stopped drinking the protien shakes. maybe that all played a part in me loosing too much. I have also checked on my BMI and I currently at a normal and healthy weight just struggling to see that in the mirror!

I have my pre op appointment in a couple days. They are shooting for April 30 or May 1 for surgery. I am very aware that this is going to be a lot of work. I am hearing all these stories of weight gain after bypass surgery that I am so afraid I will be one of the statistics that do gain it back. As many of you all know the feeling of diets not working, I can't help but keep asking myself what will make this any different? I know me getting the sleeve is different then bypass, but I am still very scared. Any advice would be so appreciated.

Really curious about this as I've seen it mentioned on a few of the weight gain forums!! Everytime someone mentions a weight gain someone says watch ur sodium intake! Can someone explain why?? As after weeks do water and protein I love a bit of salt on my scrambled egg :(

Did anyone notice if their water retention/weight gain intensified after getting the sleeve as well? I have been sticking to the diet and making sure to keep my fluid intake up...but it seems that I'm retaining water worse than I had before. It may also go hand in hand with the intensified period, bleh.

Within the last couple of months, I was having a lot of problems with sliming/ everything getting stuck/ and feeling just down right awful! I tried to eat smaller bites and chew my foods very slowly and wait 30 seconds before my next bite of food. Well, nothing was working for me. I had some fluid taken out almost 4 months prior so I was so afraid of losing my restriction. Therefore, I continued to endure with the sliming and every single thing placed in my mouth getting stuck. I was getting so depressed because the band is a tool that befriends you in the weight lost process, but I was not getting that return from my band. Therefore, I knew I had to make some quick decisions because the constant throwing up was starting to effect my esophagus due the acid reflux I was experiencing. I went in last week and had some fluid removed from my band. I was brought down from 4.8cc to 4.2cc. I felt instant relief and yes- I am not as tight but that was my problem. I did some research and when the band is implanted- there is only an opening about the size of an ink pen opening for foods and drink to travel through. That's why we are told to eat small bites of food and to drink fluids slowly to prevent things from getting stuck and to endure long periods of pain and suffering. Therefore, when the band is too tight it makes things that much more difficult to allow foods/drinks to go down properly. I still have decent restriction without all the uncomfortable drama (sliming/ throwing up/ acid reflux and pain)! Therefore, I have learned it's not all about how much saline is in the band, but the ability to use the band as the tool it was designed to be. I am much happier with some fluid being removed than I was having the band tighter than it should have been. Also remember, when your band is too tight you will make poor food choices. That means eating slider foods that will cause weight gain and not weight lost. (just a little food for thougth)! I am almost at my one year mark as of July 21st with only 4.2 ccs in my 10cc band. but my band is working as a friend and not a foe! I have a tendency to want everything to happen quickly, but slow and easy works better for me. If anyone is experiencing a lot of sliming, throwing up, daily episodes of food and drinks getting stuck, you may consider having a little fluid removed and allowing your band a time period to heal from the entire trauma episode it's experienced. I am starting to love and befriend my band all over again! I am definitely a work in progress. Thanks for listening and supporting me through it all. My wonderful band family!

Very interesting article that I thought I'd share. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Some of the most firmly held beliefs about weight loss are unproven or downright untrue, according to an analysis comparing concepts promoted in the popular media with data from the scientific literature. The findings were published online January 31 in a special article in the New England Journal of Medicine. "False and scientifically unsupported beliefs about obesity are pervasive in both scientific literature and the popular press," write Krista Casazza, PhD, RD, from the Department of Nutrition Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, and colleagues. The authors discuss a total of 7 myths, along with refuting evidence. Here are some examples: Small changes in food intake and/or exercise will produce large, long term weight changes — This idea was based on the old idea that 3500 kcal equals 1 pound of weight. But it does not take into account the fact that energy requirements change as body mass changes over time. So, as weight is lost, it takes increasingly more exercise and reduced intake to perpetuate the loss. Realistic weight-loss goals will keep people motivated — This idea seems reasonable, but it is not supported by evidence. In fact, several studies have shown that people with very ambitious goals lose more weight (eg, TV's The Biggest Loser). Slow, gradual weight loss is best for long-term success — Actually, a meta-analysis of randomized, controlled weight-loss trials found that rapid weight loss via very-low-calorie diets resulted in significantly more weight loss (16% vs 10% of body weight) at 6 months, and differences in weight loss persisted up to 18 months (Int J Behav Med. 2010;17:161-167). A bout of sexual activity burns 100 to 300 kcal per person — With intense sexual activity, a 154-pound man burns approximately 3.5 kcal per minute. However, given that the average amount of time spent during one stimulation and orgasm session is about 6 minutes, this man might expend about 21 kcal total. But, he would burn about 7 kcal just lying on the couch, so that amount has to be subtracted, which gives a grand total of 14 kcals of energy expended. The article also explores 6 "presumptions," or widely accepted beliefs that are neither proven nor disproven. Among them: Eating Breakfast prevents obesity — Actually, 2 studies showed no effect of eating vs skipping breakfast. Adding fruits and vegetables to the diet results in weight loss — Adding more calories of any type without making any other changes is likely to cause weight gain. Eating fruits and vegetables is healthful, however. Weight cycling, aka "yoyo dieting," increases mortality — The data are from observational studies and likely confounded by health status. Finally, the authors offer 9 facts about obesity and weight loss that are supported by data, among them: Moderate environmental changes can promote as much weight loss as even the best weight-loss drugs. Diets do produce weight loss, but attempting to diet and telling someone to diet are not necessarily the same thing. Physical activity does help in promoting weight loss and has health benefits even in the absence of weight loss. For overweight children, involving the family and home environment in weight-loss efforts is ideal. Providing actual meals or Meal Replacements works better for weight loss than does general advice about food choices. Both weight-loss drugs and bariatric surgery can help achieve long-term weight loss in some individuals. According to Dr. Casazza and colleagues, "The myths and presumptions about obesity that we have discussed are just a sampling of the numerous unsupported beliefs held by many people, including academics, regulators, and journalists, as well as the general public. Yet there are facts about obesity of which we may be reasonably certain — facts that are useful today." And they conclude, "While we work to generate additional useful knowledge, we may in some cases justifiably move forward with hypothesized, but not proven, strategies. However, as a scientific community, we must always be open and honest with the public about the state of our knowledge and should rigorously evaluate unproved strategies." Original article: http://www.medscape....warticle/778600

I've had my VSG for about 3 years. In the past year I've put on 44 pounds. I just started an all liquid diet again will that help re shrink my sleeve. I'm a driver so I'm behind the wheel of a car all day. The hours I work leaves little time for exercise. Any help will be appreciated.

I'm suffering from several symptoms of PCOs: weight gain, hirsutism (increased hair growth on the face, arms and belly), irregular and often nonexistent menses, "spotting" and Patches of darker, velvety skin on the legs. I read that the surgery might solve it. Mine is due in less than 2 weeks (yay!). However I am still worried that my eating habits caused some permanent, irreversible damage to my body. For instance, ovarian cysts, which tend to evolve into tumors sometimes. If I lose weight and kiss the other PCOs symptoms goodbye, do the cysts disappear or do they stay for good? If you could tell from your own experiences, I'd love to hear.

Hello out there.... I am in the final stages of approval and will be getting my date Friday! My biggest stress is my skin. I would like to know of those out there that have lost 100 ish pounds and what has happened to their skin. If you were saggy, where it is, how bad is it - really.... I've pretty much accepted the "girls" are going to be the area most affected. I have still maintained a great deal of exercise and muscle despite my weight gain, so I am hoping that will help. Any stories, suggestions, ways of handling the problems, etc. Thanks!

Hi all, Today marks 5 months since I had an emergency operation to remove my lap-band due to over-restriction resulting in a pouch dilation. I pleaded with my surgeon not to take it out. When they put me under I still thought they were just going to re-adjust it. When I woke I was told it was removed. I vomited and cried with the shock. My recovery was incredibly slow and far more painful than the initial operation to have it put in. Since that time I have been working hard not to gain any weight. Exercising, watching my intake etc, but just talking about it gets me upset. My surgeon and the clinic gave me no support and denied all responsibility, blaming it on me. I want to reach out to other people in sililar situations to discuss coping mechanisms and look on our experiences together with a positive edge. It has been a real challenge for me and I'm sure I'm not alone. I know there have been many great things happened as a result of having a band for 11 months, losing weight, gaining confidence, taking up sports etc, but I still find it hard to 'get over' the horrible experience of having my band taken out against my will. All advice, stories, and general support are welcomed and appreciated. Thank you

Hello all! I have been out of town for the last week and just got back. I was so eager to get back on-line and see how my Victorious Valentine friends are doing. So here's my update. The bad news: I'm hungry! I'm a week away from my first fill, and feel no restriction at all. I can eat as much as I want (but I'm not) and haven't felt overfull since my swelling went down. Staying under 1000 cal. when you're hungry stinks!! I suppose this is band hell? But no weight gain, thankfully - just a pitiful pound a week loss for the last 2 weeks. While I was out of town visiting my sister, it was so hard not to indulge! Besides an unfortunate incident involving ice cream at a movie theater, I managed to stay partially on track. The good news: Last time I flew on an airplane, I just barely got the belt fastened. I knew I was a few lbs away from a belt extender - my worst nightmare. The thing was so tight that my belly was almost hanging completely over the belt and I had to hold my magazine just right so the flight attendant wouldn't notice I was being cut in half by the belt!! This week I flew, and guess what - 4 beautiful inches of spare belt hanging out AFTER I buckled it!! And, for the first time in years, my butt stayed nicely on my side of the seat, and did not pooch out under the armrest and steal space from my seat mate. Now, that is an NSV to celebrate! Whew...it is good to be back! Please tell me some of you are experiencing bandster hell also??

I just posted this in another thread but it mostly applies. PLAN. FOR. IT. Most of us are food addicts. We have no self control when it comes to food. We will under estimate what we ate and then be surprised when the weight gain happens. I strongly advocate keeping a food diary. It's not to obsess over calories and how low we can keep then and stay healthy. It's to keep ourselves accountable. I use myfitnesspal. I have it set to also include carbs, sodium, fat and sugar. There is a maximun level of carbs, fat and sugar that works for me, so I monitor that. I used to have a problem with my feet and legs swelling so I monitor my sodium levels. I fill out my diary in the morning and add or subtract in the evenings according to what I actually ate. They also have an app for on the go changes. I do not allow anything in my house that I cannot eat without bingeing. I don't care is it's Suzie's favorite thing. It's not allowed because I am an addict and have no self control. If you have family members who miss their favorite food, tell them to buy a single serving portion and eat it. Sabotaging foods are not allowed in the cabinets.If you were an alcoholic would they insist on keeping that 6 pack in the house? EXERCISE - I don't care if it's taking a 30 minute walk each day or Leslie walk away the pounds DVDs. Commit to something on a regular basis.

I wrote him back , he wants you to adversitse your before and after pics for ANOTHER company . So basically they want you to use your pics from another doc to promote another docs its deceiving . I thought it might at first be for a "general" lap band deal or something . But its not its for lapband411.com . THEN He wanted me to send him my before nd after pics THEN he would send me a model release yeah I dont think so !!! RUN !!! Mindy I got this message from him : Hi Mindy...GREAT!! It's really amazing to see results like yours. I've had my own weight gain and loss issues but nothing like all the battles I've read about over the last two weeks. Lap-band is amazing and really happy for you. The ad is for a b4 & after, such as yours and it is for lapband411.com's future campaign. We would even love to have your energy shown through a short testimonial of how it has changed your life. Feel free to email me a good before and after showing the dramatic change and I'll provide the model/image release form. We will be selecting the final 3 individuals by monday, next week! Best email for sending attachments is matthewbsteiner@gmail.com as it allows for large image attachments.

I had my surgery 12/12 and have lost 55 lbs as of today, 5/8! yea, me! but does anyone know where I can get statistics on this surgery in terms of effectiveness, weight loss, weight gained back, anything like that?