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You need to figure out why you are not caring anymore. Why you are trying to subconsciously sabotage yourself? The emotional eating you are doing is not because you are hungry, but seems to me like self defeat/ personal pain attached to the mind set, "Because I'm told not to, I'm going to." "I'm a failure and always will be..." This is too difficult." What you have is head hunger due to emotional suggestion. I have had those feelings for so many years and I used food as my feel better, until guilt arrived shortly after. My issues were insecurities due to being molested, which led to weight gain, depression, anxiety... I urge you to identify your main pain source and once you deal with that, you will not want to cheat!

I guess I will start off by telling you a little about myself. I am a mother of three beautiful children. They are aged 8, 7, & 5. My struggle with weight gain came after having my first child. With my first child I gained about 15 pounds. Not too bad. But when my second child came I got preeclampsia. U swelled up and retained a bunch of water. I gained 100 pounds during that pregnancy. Then 13 months after that pregnancy I got pregnant again. So the weight just kept piling on top of weight. My weight before my first pregnancy was a hundred and fifty pounds I am now topping the scales at 324 pound. Throughout my pregnancies and weight gain I developed a few medical conditions. I have fibromyalgia, GERD, and PCOS. The doctor has tried to put me on several medications. I was told that metformin would help with the PCOS and help me with weight loss. However taking it for a couple weeks I developed major headaches. I felt sick all the time. So I stopped taking it. I tried losing weight on my own going to the gym and eating healthy. I would lose about 20 pounds and then couldn't lose anymore. If I could do it on my own I would but I feel that I can't. No matter how hard I try I'm not going to achieve losing almost 180 pounds. Gosh it's mind-boggling just to think about how much I have to lose. I am only 27 years old. I want to get healthy and I want to lose the weight. I'm tired of feeling like I'm walking around in a fat suit. But the thing is I can't take it off at the end of the day it's always with me. I'm tired of laying around in bed all day watching TV and stuffing my face. I'm tired of not getting out and enjoying my kids. I'm tired of feeling like I'm an embarrassment to my kids when taking them to school functions or being out in public. Now my 8 year old daughter who should weigh about 70 pounds weighs a hundred and ten pounds. I worry about her every day. I don't want her to feel the way I feel and I don't want her to be bullied or made fun of. I know I need to do the weight loss surgery but I'm so scared. What if I don't lose the weight? what if die? What if I get a serious blood clot? What if I get too skinny and unhealthy that I look sick? What if I can't enjoy the holidays and my grandmas awesome cooking because everything makes me sick? Then I'm faced with the question do I do the gastric bypass or do I do the sleeve? I've heard the pros and cons of both. I thought I was set on gastric bypass but after having a support group meeting I started to question whether or not the sleeve would be a good idea. I need help. Which one do I do? Am I going to be safe? Am I going to come out alive? Are my kids going to have a mother? Am I going to be sicker after the surgery than before the surgery? Or is god going to watch over me in every step that I take and everything will end up perfect? Will I be healthy? Will I lose the weight? Will I be able to enjoy my life again? So many questions please help. All advice is welcome.

back to topic guys "what was your final straw" i had so many trips/falls due to my heavy weight - knee replacements femur broke twice, etc i slowly realized that all my excess weight caused these problems falling since i had problems because of my "excess" weight i was always so sad about my weight weight gain, weight loss, weight gain etc, etc realized i had so many health problems i needed help, immediately hello sleeve good by diabetes meds/high blood pressure meds, no more CPAP my big NSV one was having my epilepsy meds dosage cut in half i was taking dosage for someone that weighed 235 lbs now that my weight was going down, down etc - i was taking too taking to many meds/pills so meds were less for a smaller person life is great now that's my story and i'm sticking to it kathy

Have you been to a seminar yet? At our seminar, the surgeon went through each one and which one was best suited for which situation. The lap band or realize bands he said were good for about 60-70lbs but more than that it wasn't going to cut a significant amount of weight and did have issues with long term loss. Like people learned how to eat around it I guess. then he showed us the sleeve and said it's good for 100+lbs weightloss, but a lot of times again, people find ways around it's usefulness and end up with a weight gain and eventually if they have a significant weight to lose will have it switched over to a bypass. It also tends to come with GERD/acid reflux and it can be very painful to deal with that. The bypass he referred to as his "gold standard" in weightloss because it has shown to work long term, the weight loss experienced is quite dramatic and fast and for the most part, a person with bypass can expect to lose 70% for their excess weight in the first year and maintain that loss or improve over the next 5 yrs without slipping backwards. He also cover plication and some new battery operated thing that shocks the vagus nerves causing them to not send the message of being hungry. I forget what it was called, but it was neat. It's not really good for someone in my situation though, I think it was comparable to the lap band in weightloss. I went into the seminar thinking sleeve seemed the way to go because I didn't want anyone fiddling with my intestines and dumping sounds REALLY painful, but by the time we left, I had really committed in my heart to the roux en y because I really don't want to do this again. I want to do 1 surgery and be good for life. I find out for certain what the surgeon thinks is our best plan of attack Fri. I'm pretty sure he's going to suggest the bypass though. At my weight and with my history, I'd be shocked if he didn't.

Way to go, great before and after. I have been giving the fat clothes away on Craigslist, from 3xl to 2 xl. Got to be honest, my reaction to your post is that when the 18 months honeymoon is over, and your body clicks into normal weight gain, you are one who, according to my surgeon and my nutritionists, and my daughter's father in law (bariatric surgeon) is at very high risk of gaining your weight back. The honeymoon of easy weight loss is when we cement our better food habits. Beer, lots of Desserts, no vitamins/calcium (you are young enough you might get away with that but it may effect your bone strength in your 40's) means that you have not changed enough habits to maintain post honeymoon. No criticism intended, I have 100 pounds to go, but every week my core food habits are better, I am Never going to be fat again.

I was diagnosed with NES (Night Eating Syndrome) when I was an adolescent. This syndrome has a genetic component and has been an issue in my family for the past three generations. Mostly only the males in my family are conflicted with the cycle of night eating. The cabinets in my kitchen were always locked because me, my brothers, and my Dad would get up (knowingly and unknowingly) 1-3 times a night to get something to eat. I was determined to break the night eating cycle during my post op phase and did so for the first 6 months. After that, it all started again full force. I wake up three times a night at the same times every night (12:30, 3:00, 4:30). I absolutely cannot get back to sleep unless I eat something. It has always been that way. My food choices are still smart and I have not gained any weight since this problem reappeared. My consumption at night is usually cucumbers with vinegar or pickles. For those of you that think night eating should be easily controlled, think again. Sleep medications and antidepressants have not helped at all. Night Eating Syndrome is characterized by these 5 primary signs: 1. Not hungry in the morning 2. Overeating in the evening 3. Difficulty falling asleep 4. Waking at night and eating (usually 2 or more times) 5. Feeling depressed I'm currently working through a step by step guidebook. I've reduced eating three times a night to two times night. I'm hoping to get it decreased to at least once a night. When I share this problem with others, I usually get a lecture about weight gain. I'm still including the calories from my night eating into my overall daily count. So, its not a huge problem yet because I've lost 140 pounds while struggling with this syndrome. I would love to be able to sleep through the night or get up only once. Part of me thinks that this is just a habit that I have to break like everything else. I would love to hear from others that struggle with night eating syndrome. If anyone has found a way to break the cycle or know some effective strategies, then that would be appreciated.

Congratulations on your weight loss!! The same determination you had when you had the surgery, can help you get back to your goal weight. I have heard that if you start to gain weight trying the Stage 1 diet (liquid/protein shakes)for a week can help to get you back on course. I applaud you taking control of your weight gain now, because if you are like me 20 will become 40 if you don't do something about it. Keep us posted on your progress :-)

Sheryl, I know exactly how you feel. I love hiking and there are so many gorgeous trails in Oregon. Now I can barely walk to my bedroom. I love the gym. I loved lifting weights and feeling strong. I loved having my thighs so toned. Now I don't know if I'll ever be able to go back to the gym. I loved to dance too! I loved my ballroom classes. Like I said, now I can barely walk. The scary part is I could end up worse than I am now. They are talking about putting in a plate and screws and cadaver bone and a cage around it all. The risk for infection is a lot higher for people who have had a previous infection. oh great. They said I am looking at a year of recovery. Plus all my post op appointments are now 100 miles away. I've made appointments with a rhuematologist and my Hep C doctor and both are also 100 miles away. I don't even know if I can get to either of these doctors because if my ins. approves my back surgery, I am not sure if I'll be able to ride in a car. I did have a longer period of being thin and fit before I fell apart but I am still not readyt to give it up. I've decided to stop taking gabapentin to see if it will stop my weight gain. I can't keep gaining weight. i will not be able to deal with the depression.

I was sleeved 2/18/14. My starting weight was around 300, Day of surgery 278 and I dropped down to 198. However, I have been taking care of my dad and working a lot lately and have completely falling off but I don't know how. My weight has jumped to near 230 since February. I'm sooooo depressed. I need help bad.

I have been dealing with me gaining 100 pounds from back surgery. The back surgery has not worked it actually worst due to extra weight gain. I can't exercise at all. I am immobilized due to my lower back issues. I am eating health but my weight is just being maintained. The scared heart diet is really my first attempt to lose this weight and it's not working. I just found out based on my BMI My qualifying isn't going to be an issue. I just am trying on my own to find ways to lose weight. I don't want to go into this without giving it my all????????????????

There is a YouTube video I posted in a thread not too long ago with Dr Wiener explaining that although it may stretch a little, it will never be back to its pre surgery size volume. I beleive it would take a considerable amount of constantly overeating to stretch it out. But I also understand any amount of stretching will lead to eating too many calories and weight gain, even just a little stretching. Good article!

I was always a B. Weight gain got me to a 38C. Now that I have lost weight, I'm back into a 34B. The girls snapped back pretty well. I went to a PS consult to see if I would benefit from a lift, but was told that I wasn't so much drooping as that I was experiencing middle age deflation and would benefit more from augmentation to re fill the upper part of my breast. Good luck to you and your breast. Susan

It's been 3.5 weeks since I have had a diet coke, and I am frequently day dreaming about having an ice cold can of DC! I was drinking a super big gulp everyday before my VS. I plan to give them up for good, because it is so bad for your health and because research has shown it leads to weight gain. But truly, giving up diet coke is harder than all the other foods I am giving up. Yesterday I went into a 7-11 for my kids, and I felt like an alcoholic walking into a liquor store. And believe me, I am by no means making light of the struggle addicts go through on a daily basis. This is so hard for me!!

Interesting topic and responses Alex. I actually don't have an issue with restaurants where you know you are eating waaayy too many calories. What bothers me is when you think you are ordering healthy and come to find out that you may not be. People are getting smarter about asking for dressing and sauces on the side as they know many are calorie laden but I recall early on in my weight loss journey and thinking if I ordered crab legs at Red Lobster, I'd be fine. When I went online to check the menu, I saw to my surprise that the sodium count for that meal was in excess of 1800 grams. I've no idea why it's so high but had I eaten those crab legs, I'd have gained Water weight for sure and would have presumed a weight gain for some unknown reason which would have been very frustrating. I know a great number of people rely on chain restaurants and they are the worst offenders as the above poster noted about the meal at Cheesecake Factory. Am glad that I live in a city where there are so many restaurant options that don't include the chains. One of my go to type of foods is Greek/Mediterranean/Middle Eastern. The fish especially is usually very fresh and simply grilled. Plus they have an awful lot of non-meat items to choose from. Ever have the lemon artichokes? Yum.

I'm going through process right now with Aetna HMO. It's a 3-4 month waiting period. From what I've been told and been reading on there website is you have to meet certain criteria, such as certain bmi or hypertension. The website explains it all. You cannot gain weight at your final weigh in. So whatever you weight was on first weigh in, don't show a weight gain on last one before doctor submits all paperwork to insurance for approval.

So today have been so much better then the past few days I had surgery wed July 8 I went from sleeve to bypass... they took out a lot of scar tissue also... so I been in crazy pain I was sick yesterday I been having a lot of cramping worse then my period cramps. I feel like I want to eat.. it's hard bc I was just eating food now to starting all over again... don't get me wrong I'm glad I got another chance to lose the rest of my weight and the weight gain back.. what All did everyone do on their liquid diet I got 2 weeks.i have lost 5pounds tho yay... but I just feel like I'm overwhelm with everything.. I still can't tell the difference yet between the two I guess bc I'm sure swollen. .. so how do I tell the difference or will it be when i eat?

Look at this thread. Be careful of weight gain. Again search the entire board not just one forum. I went to gastric sleeve the. Insurance forum http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/332570-Very-nervous-about-Aetna-weight-gain

For three years now I've had a lot of trouble with both my knees. I'd been told numerous times that because of my weight my knees were both, bone on bone and I had osteoarthritis. Long story short, double knee replacement surgery was in my future. Since my surgery in January I've done very little exercise, due to the lack of flexibility and intense pain. I finally got into a pain management center and was ready to get my first Synvisc injection when the dr looked at my ex rays and told me I had the knees of a 20 year old. I don't have osteoarthritis at all, I have water on the knee and a lot of it. A knee in good condition should only hold 5 cc's of fluid. The dr removed 15 cc's of fluid and then injected the Synvisc. I felt instant relief, the pressure was almost non existent without all the fluid and the pain is minimal now. I can't believe it took this long to find this out. All those years of massive amounts of steroids for my asthma caused my major weight gain and this accumulation of fluid on my knees. At least now I can start exercising without fear of damaging my knees further.

Thanks for that share. I was a normal weight child before I started school. My first grade teacher would not let me leave the lunchroom until I finished my food. She would leave me alone sometimes until the bell rang to go home. I didn't know how to tell my mother and started gaining weight to not get left in the lunchroom. I gained 30 pounds that year and that is a lot for a little kid. I remained the biggest kid in the class until after the sixth grade. I got my beloved horse and she helped me slim down. It was after my dad died in 1992 that my weight problems started again. I was the apple of his eye and it devastated me. In August 2011 I had gastric sleeve surgery. I started at 269 and had lost to 185 in August 2012. I was out of work from January 2012 to August. I think going back to work that August contributed to my current weight of 220. I have been out of work again since the end of December and can't get this weight off no matter what I do. I am starting back to work this Monday July 13 and I am terrified this is going to cause more weight gain. I have done nothing but Protein and a couple of cantaloupe slices this week and lost 3 pounds. My injuries from a car accident and chronic anemia (it is genetic, not Iron low) prevents me exercising enough to help add muscle and burn some fat. Sorry I got off topic but I needed to rant.

The shot does cause weight gain... i truly believe that's what started my biggest weight issues as a teen.

When I lost 100 lbs after my first pregnancy, I definitely noticed strangers being more willing to strike up conversation with me, hold doors, ask if I needed help, etc. At my lowest weight, in a 0 dress size, I also remember trying so hard to talk with other moms at dance class and being completely shunned. I've never had trouble making friends, so it was confusing to me...until one mom told me a couple years later that she had secretly hated me for always looking so cute LOL. Then, as I rapidly regained weight with my second pregnancy, I noticed my invisibility to strangers returning and other moms no longer hated me. Having been on both sides, I can understand how it must be hard to watch another woman accomplish what you want so desperately for yourself. When I had the band and my friend had the sleeve, it was pretty depressing to see her melt away, while I struggled with pain and further weight gain. I'm not sure how it will be this time. I've only told my 3 best friends what I am doing and don't plan on seeing anyone for over a month, when my kids start school again.

I'm so sorry that you have had so many health issues and complications. I am 2 years out and recently gained 15 lb and I went to the doctor and found out that I had several hormonal imbalances and PCOS. Perhaps a visit to see an endocrinologist for a full hormone evaluation would be a good idea and make sure your thyroid is functioning properly. These things can easily cause weight gain. Also it sounds like the RNY is the way to go, the quality of your health and life are the most important things to be focusing on! I'm so sorry that you have had so many health issues and complications. I am 2 years out and recently gained 15 lb and I went to the doctor and found out that I had several hormonal imbalances and PCOS. Perhaps a visit to see an endocrinologist for a full hormone evaluation would be a good idea and make sure your thyroid is functioning properly. These things can easily cause weight gain. Also it sounds like the RNY is the way to go, the quality of your health and life are the most important things to be focusing on!

I am 2 years post-op from RNY and my weight is flat-lined. As a matter of fact I weighed myself this morning and I am at my lowest weight thus far. So what am I doing. First, I am not hypersensitive about my weight loss. I weigh myself each morning but I use the scale only as a tool, not something to beat myself over the head with. It only tells me if I am making the wrong decisions on my experimentation with food. Second, I am getting most of my Protein from meals. I consume high protein meals and do not take protein supplements any longer. Third, I strictly stay away from processed sugars. I use low calorie sweeteners (such as Stevia), no calorie artificial sweeteners (such as Splenda), natural sugars (found in fruits and milk) and sugar alcohols. I had diabetes prior to surgery and have been in remission since the surgery and periodically monitor my blood sugar levels. And the testing shows this approach works. Fourth, I consume fats. Fats have the power to take away hunger. So generally, I am rarely hungry. Generally, I have a cup of coffee in the morning with a giant scoop of home made whip cream. I make it myself and use Splenda in place of sugar. I use whole milk and real butter. I might have 3 Adkins treats during the day which also have fats and no processed sugar. They take the edge away from hunger. I asked my nutritionist "Why do people have surgery only to gain some or all of their weight back over the years?" Her response was "grazing" which is probably synonymous with snacking. I will be the first to admit that I snack, but I think it is important to understand what is appropriate to snack on. I snack on protein and fats and exclude processed sugar. Fifth, I do not drink carbonated beverages anymore. I believe it is the carbonation that causes weight gain. It is like generating miniature explosions in my stomach that over time expand it out and allow it to grow and as a result, I gain weight. Six, I am aware of the conditions that cause me to loose additional weight and will sometimes take advantage of these conditions to capture and achieve additional long term weight loss. These fall into two categories. I have found that when I get the stomach flu, I will lose weight. I have also found that when I travel and am forced to eat out, I generally lose weight.

I've had a fusion that failed. Also 4 others that have failed. A crushed sciatica too. Leg pain and on a cane. But since I started this, I have a new outlook. After my exercise class I've decided to start them now and it's helping me physically. Failed back surgeries is what has caused my weight gain, but not gonna let it anymore. I do get epidural injection every 6 months in rounds of 3. They aren't a fix, but a little help. Getting Facet's on wed's. Had them after one of my surgeries and they helped before

Weight is a touchy subject, and women are complicated creatures. I know none of us would take kindly to anyone commenting on our weight when we're gaining it, and I feel like a lot of people also think that way about commenting on someone losing it. I had my surgery one day after you, and have lost right about the same amount as you, I think...from 213 down to 124. There's a huge difference in my appearance, yet almost no one acknowledges it. I am actually grateful for it. Even though I know that I look much better, if someone were to say that to me, I am pretty sure my crazy brain would go into overdrive with thoughts of "gosh, did I really look so bad before?" Yep, I think comments about weight - gain or loss - are best left unsaid. Except, of course, on here... Elode, you look fantastic!!!