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Here is a real interesting article about carbs: http://www.marksdail...rate-continuum/ I was looking for a threshold of what constitutes "low carb". I am usually teetering around 100g. I was never scared of carbs, but I guess since it seems to work for others, maybe I should try it. But then, I just hate the thought of trying to figure out good carbs, bad carbs in my log. I mean, an orange has 20g of carbs, and I don't want to fear those - how do I split that in MFP. Anyway, I found the below really interesting, here is part of the article that I'd like to share. From that, I will really try to stay between 50 and 100g: 300 or more grams/day - Danger Zone! Easy to reach with the “normal” American diet (cereals, Pasta, rice, bread, waffles, pancakes, muffins, soft drinks, packaged Snacks, sweets, desserts). High risk of excess fat storage, inflammation, increased disease markers including Metabolic Syndrome or diabetes. Sharp reduction of grains and other processed carbs is critical unless you are on the “chronic cardio” treadmill (which has its own major drawbacks). 150-300 grams/day – Steady, Insidious Weight Gain Continued higher insulin-stimulating effect prevents efficient fat burning and contributes to widespread chronic disease conditions. This range – irresponsibly recommended by the USDA and other diet authorities – can lead to the statistical US average gain of 1.5 pounds of fat per year for forty years. 100-150 grams/day – Primal Blueprint Maintenance Range This range based on body weight and activity level. When combined with Primal exercises, allows for genetically optimal fat burning and muscle development. Range derived from Grok’s (ancestors’) example of enjoying abundant vegetables and fruits and avoiding grains and sugars. 50-100 grams/day – Primal Sweet Spot for Effortless Weight Loss Minimizes insulin production and ramps up fat metabolism. By meeting average daily Protein requirements (.7 – 1 gram per pound of lean bodyweight formula), eating nutritious vegetables and fruits (easy to stay in 50-100 gram range, even with generous servings), and staying satisfied with delicious high fat foods (meat, fish, eggs, nuts, seeds), you can lose one to two pounds of body fat per week and then keep it off forever by eating in the maintenance range. 0-50 grams/day – Ketosis and Accelerated Fat Burning Acceptable for a day or two of Intermittent Fasting towards aggressive weight loss efforts, provided adequate protein, fat and supplements are consumed otherwise. May be ideal for many diabetics. Not necessarily recommended as a long-term practice for otherwise healthy people due to resultant deprivation of high nutrient value vegetables and fruits.

The Most Evil of all Man’s Inventions - When we were getting larger, the scale was an evil evil device. It was originally designed by man to assist in the development of early commerce, but over time it took on a new and insidious venture. It became the device that quantified what we already knew - we were getting bigger. It was not a secret. We knew it. We knew we were not eating right and could tell we were getting bigger. But as long as those elastic waists and comfort fit pants hung in there, we could kid ourselves into believing that it was not that much weight gained. It was all so vague and easy to ignore. But the evil scale ruined all that. That "couple of pounds" we had gained since last summer was actually 14.7 pounds!!! And what total chucklehead decided we needed a decimal point on a bathroom scale? What an idiot. I am not a pharmacist carefully measuring out a deadly drug. I am just a fat guy on a bathroom scale. The size of the number is bad enough, the decimal is just sort of an insult. "I weigh 277." Scale: "No, actually you weigh 277.6!" GRRRRRRRR, Stupid scale! I will tell you where you can put that .6 pounds…. BUT NOW…. I have come to reconsider my position -- and being down 50+ pounds has everything to do with it. That decimal point is an amazing and important invention. When I lose .6 pounds, you can bet I want to know all about it!! Don’t be depriving me of my 9.600 ounces of hard earned weight loss! I did not just go to the bathroom, dry my hair, clean out my ears, burp, get naked and take off my glasses to get some vague estimate!!! I have concluded that the scale is, in fact, not inherently evil. I have come to this based on recent events. Since I have had my surgery I have noticed something amazing that I had never noticed before. It may have been there all along, but I just did not know it. Maybe you knew….but until just recently, I did not know that ….. (wait for it) ….. The scale can actually go DOWN!!!! 　 Here are three great scale jokes!!! 　 A lady noticed her husband standing on the bathroom scale, sucking in his stomach. Thinking he was trying to weigh less with this maneuver, she commented, "I don't think that's going to help." "Sure it will." he said. "Now I can see the numbers." ______ 　 Two youngsters were closely examining bathroom scales on display at the department store. "What’s it for?" one asked. "I don’t know," the other replied. "I think you stand on it, and it makes you mad…at least it does that for my Dad." 　 　 ______ Bob was in trouble. He forgot his wedding anniversary. His wife was really angry with him. She told him "Tomorrow morning, I expect to find a gift in the driveway that goes from 0 to 250 in 6 seconds AND IT BETTER BE THERE !!" The next morning he got up early and left for work. When his wife woke up, she looked out the window and sure enough there was a box gift-wrapped in the middle of the driveway. It was not big enough to be the sports car she demanded, so she put on her robe, ran out to the driveway and brought the box back in the house. She opened it and found a brand new bathroom scale. Bob has been missing since Friday. ARE WE LAUGHING YET!!!!!!!

Very informative article. By Maureen Callahan Science is finding that these foods and drinks can help you shed pounds more easily and quickly Staying at a healthy weight during your fiftysomething years is a balancing act between calories consumed and burned. Chances are you already know that you need fewer calories as you age. So it’s trickier to prevent weight gain without making some efforts. Exercise is one good strategy, especially aerobic activities, like brisk walking, swimming, dancing and biking. But it also pays to take advantage of any and all foods that can burn fat, curb appetite and tweak your metabolism into overdrive. Here’s a look at five foods that do just that. 1. Dried Beans Foods rich in water-soluble Fiber, like kidney beans, chickpeas and black beans, not only help you feel full at meals but they may even target your stubborn spare tire. In a 2011 study, researchers noticed that for every 10 grams of soluble fiber eaten over the course of a day there was a corresponding 3.7 percent decrease in abdominal fat over a five-year period. “There is mounting evidence that eating more soluble fiber and increasing exercise reduces visceral or belly fat, although we still don’t know how it works,” said Dr. Kristen Hairston, assistant professor of internal medicine at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in North Carolina and lead author of the study. “Although the fiber-obesity relationship has been extensively studied, the relationship between fiber and specific fat deposits has not. Our study is valuable because it provides specific information on how dietary fiber, especially soluble fiber, may affect weight accumulation through abdominal fat deposits.” For more details on various types of fiber and weight loss, check out this article from WebMD. (MORE: The Fiftysomething Diet: Should You Be Juicing?) 2. Salmon One of the biggest food helpers on the path to weight loss is Protein -- preferably lean protein, which is better for the heart and overall health. The simple explanation is that a good dose takes longer to digest than carbohydrates, keeping you satisfied and therefore making you less likely to overeat between meals. It doesn’t hurt that the body burns more calories digesting Proteins than it does carbs. But the intriguing thing about fish as your protein source -- salmon, in particular -- is that preliminary reports suggest salmon plays a role in modulating insulin levels or insulin sensitivity. The key word here is preliminary. Still, two reports bear mentioning. In one 2009 study, scientists fed three groups of volunteers low-calorie diets: no seafood (the control group), lean white fish or salmon. Everyone lost weight, but the salmon eaters had lower fasting insulin levels, which is far better for overall health. Weight loss is one partial explanation, researchers say, but the compounds in salmon (perhaps Omega 3 fats like EPA and DHA) might also contribute to modulating insulin. In an unrelated 2011 study with animals, Canadian researchers found that a group fed salmon protein had significantly lower weight gains than groups eating other varieties of fish. What’s happening here is still part mystery, yet it could be a win-win. Choosing salmon as your lean protein source might not only help you lose weight, but also help prevent the insulin resistance that can lead to type 2 diabetes in later years. Wild salmon is leaner than farmed. It contains plenty of protein minus unhealthy fats. Three ounces of cooked wild salmon contains 155 calories, 22 grams of protein and just 7 grams of fat, most of it the heart-healthy omega 3 variety. (MORE: Boomer Bellies: Can Middle-Age Spread Be Avoided?) 3. Nuts Most dieters shy away from nuts due to their high fat content, but research suggests almonds, peanuts and other nuts offer special weight loss benefits. It all started with a 2001 landmark study from Harvard that found that participants following a Mediterranean-style diet that included nuts and peanuts lost greater amounts of weight and stuck with the diet longer than those on a different low-fat diet. (Harvard researchers now call the Mediterranean plan the best diet for losing weight.) Then a 2003 study in the International Journal of Obesity discovered that an almond-eating group of overweight volunteers (eating 85 grams per day or about 3 ounces) lost 62 percent more weight and 56 percent more body fat than a nut-free diet group eating the exact same number of calories but no nuts. Research also confirms that women who eat nuts have lower body mass indexes, or BMI, than women who eat little or no nuts. Speculation is that the fat and protein in nuts helps keep dieters full longer. Whatever the reason, all researchers say the key watchword is moderation -- say, a couple of small handfuls of nuts a day. Count on a handful being about one ounce of nuts: 157 pine nuts, 49 pistachios, 24 almonds, 20 walnut halves, 20 pecans, 20 hazelnuts, 18 cashews or 12 macadamia nuts. Keep in mind, you can nullify all health benefits if nuts are covered with chocolate, sugar or salt. 4. Green Tea We’ve mentioned before that green tea contains antioxidants (called polyphenols) that may fight cancer and lower cholesterol levels. But studies suggest it might be time to add fat burner -- or maybe we should say belly buster -- to the list of health benefits. Scientists seem to be zeroing in on a specific group of polyphenol compounds called catechins as the surprising force behind weight loss. A 2009 study from the Journal of Nutrition showed that a group of 132 overweight and obese adults doing moderate exercise for 180 minutes per week and drinking either a caffeinated beverage with green tea catechins or a control beverage with no catechins, had remarkably different weight-loss scenarios. At the end of 12 weeks, the exercisers drinking green tea with 625 milligrams of catechins lost more weight and more belly fat and had lower triglyceride levels than dieters drinking the catechin-free beverage. It’s unclear how green tea promotes weight loss, but researchers suspect it may have something to do with revving up fat burning in the hours after a meal. A small 2013 Brazilian study confirms these findings. Researchers there found that overweight and obese women drinking green tea and following a program of resistance training lost more body fat, lowered their waist circumference and showed more significant increases in their resting metabolic rate than women who drank a placebo or green tea but didn't exercise. Bottom line: To net the fat-burning efforts of green tea it appears you need to pair your tea sipping with exercise. (MORE: One Man's Diet: How I Lost Nearly 50 Pounds) 5. Water Call it the forgotten weight loss aid, but studies continue to confirm that good old zero-calorie H2O is one of the cheapest and most effective weight-loss aids on the planet. Will it work on a fiftysomething body? Definitely. A 12-week 2010 Virginia Tech Study divided a group of overweight adults age 55-75 into two groups. All participants ate the same amount of calories, but half the group was asked to drink two cups of water before each meal; the other half drank no water. "We found that over the course of 12 weeks, dieters who drank water before meals, three times per day, lost about 5 pounds more than dieters who did not increase their water intake,” said Brenda Davy, an associate professor in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Virginia Tech, senior author on the study. Davy says the exact mechanism responsible for weight loss is uncertain. She speculates it could be as simple as the fact that water fills up the stomach and makes you feel like eating less. In an earlier study, she and colleagues noticed that middle-aged and older adults who drank two cups of water before a meal ended up eating about 75-90 fewer calories. Another plus of choosing water as your beverage of choice before meals: There’s less room for calorie-rich options like soda, sugary cocktails or fruit juice. Link to story: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/28/how-to-lose-weight_n_2965765.html?view=print&comm_ref=false

I also have the band as on May 7th I will be having a revision to the bypass. I don't weigh much more than you. I found out I have Barrett's esophagus and I cannot do the sleeve. I was told in most cases the bypass cures acid reflux. Anyhow, I've wrapped my head around it. Side note, this is my 3rd wls surgery. I had an a Molina band that didn't adjust ( first band used) It tightened up on me and I couldn't keep food down. I went from 310 to 119, size 2. I had it revised to the adjustable band on 2007. I had foot surgery and gained about 30ish lbs. this year. I had no real issues with band but I went to talk to wls surgeon anyways and found out my esophagus was turning into a stomach and that contributed to the weight gain and then found out with scope biopsy I have Barrett's, precancerous cells. The band has to come out I know I need a tool so if bypass is what I have to do so be it. I would love to keep on touch with both of y'all. I don't understand this site fully, but if u know how add me. . Wednesday at 7, go time

Sorry to hear about your weight gain after pregnancy! That is something I fear when my husband and I discuss starting a family. As for the bypass after the sleeve... I was still loosing weight with the sleeve when I had to be revised to the bypass. I am still losing weight but since I'm 200 pounds down and 8 pounds to go to hit my goal it not coming off as fast as it did when I had more to loose. I lost over 40 pounds in the last 5 months since my bypass surgery so I shouldn't be complaining but I really want to hit my goal!!! I was very scared of getting the bypass and having my intense moved around. Very against it and tried everything I could to avoid it but honestly it's not as scary as I thought and really helped with my acid reflux. It dosnt feel much different then having the sleeve except for the dumping syndrome. Haha sounds worse then it is but when I tried drinking orange juice I had horrible stomach cramps and diarrhea for about 15 to 20 minutes. But I'm thankful because now I know oj has a lot of sugar and to stay away!!! It's really just a friendly reminder to stay away from all sugar. Not as scary as it sounds and is the best weight loss option out there. Wish I would have just went for the bypass to begin with!! Let me know what happens and if you do have the bypass! Sending prayers your way!!

When I was still losing & exceeding my goal, my surgeon said he thought I’d lost enough & needed to up my intake. I said I’m not deliberately trying to lose more but I could only eat what I could eat at that time & I thought the extra loss would help if I did have a regain - some wriggle room. Of course I kept losing & they stopped commenting as my surgeon & his colleague realised I was actually more finely built & my weight was okay. They prefer me to be a little more than I am currently (more 50kg) but I weigh what I weigh. I slowly started adding snacks to my intake to slow my loss as I was able. In time though I was able to eat more for a meal so I reduced my snacks until I found that balance/sweet spot to maintain. I’ll always need to snack because I generally eat pretty cleanly & therefore lower calories. Over time I’ve worked out what foods I’m better off avoiding & what foods I can only have occasionally. I’m not a calorie counter or food tracker but do random checks - it works for me. Watching what I eat & being aware of portion sizes will be a lifelong behaviour. As others have said it wouldn’t take much to start down the weight gain path. To me it comes down to what weight you feel most comfortable at, is easy to maintain & working out a way of eating to support that weight that is sustainable & doesn't restrict or affect your life/lifestyle. All the best.

I don't quite understand though... if the sleeve does not stretch much (or so i have heard) how will I be able to binge? it just doesn't seem physically possible Slider foods can be eaten in large quantities, such as ice-cream, chocolate, cakes, biscuits, chips etc. Also,even though the sleeve does not stretch, after it is completely healed (6 months) the hunger and capacity to eat more returns. If this is not controlled through strict portion sizes, like 1/2 to 1 cup max at a meal, the weight will come back on. Put "Weight gain" or "Regain" in the Search button, and you will read stories of people who gained or even regained weight. Another slider food/drink is Alcohol, full of sugar and calories. I can't give you scientific explanation why people can eat more after the sleeve, but it does happen if they stray from the diet guidelines. As someone mentioned earlier, yes you can eat around the sleeve. I can have a big bowl of ice-cream now, being 7 months post op. I can certainly eat more now. Some foods I had issues with early post op, I am fine now. I choose to eat healthy, because I want to reach my goal, and maintain it. Show me a person who binges on Protein ..... As far as I know, the binge foods are sugary, fatty, sweet and salty carb processed foods. Easy to binge on after sleeve as well.

Funny you noted all the reasons for your surgery choice. I did the same thing and my list is endless. As I would think of something that has changed in my life due to weight gain, I would write it down. The list got longer and longer. Someday I'll pull it out and see how many things are now back on the "ok to do" list and be very happy with my decision. As it is, I'm only 5 days post op, so gotta wait it out. 9 lbs. down already though, so that made me feel much better! Are you banded yet? lessofme

Ok, since my slippage surgery on 9/21 I have been dropping weight like crazy and my Doc was worried about the weight loss. Now 4 weeks out from surgery I'm up 5 lbs...out of no where. I stopped doing the protein shakes, Doc gave me the approval to go ahead and try to eat...and so far its been great. I'm able to eat almost anything in small quantities...including bread/pasta and chicken...all of which I couldn't eat prior to this. Makes me wonder, was my band misplaced improperly to begin with...and did the Doc miss it??? Anyhow I'm working out like a crazy woman and the scale just keeps going up and up....I was 6 lbs below goal and now 5 lbs over....11 lbs COME ON. I'm feeling discourage and frustrated and hunger has set in...making Christy a very grumpy girl. I go in for my first fill on Nov. 5th and I cannot wait to get back on track again. Well I'm taking my "lil weight gaining self" to the gym....2nd workout for the day. I CANNOT FAIL!!!!:thumbup:

@@diamondchic94 I have PCOS. High Testosterone Weight gain and irregular cycles. I'm early in my post op journey so im interested to see how my weight loss is affected by PCOS.

My thoughts from being a speed eater. Thinking back I was disconnected to the feeling of full. When I ate fast, I didn't have the sensation of full until it was too late. Once the sensation came I was overly stuffed. I think I justified the behavior. I told myself life was too busy and didn't pay attention or care about nutrition. I would eat on the run to get back to business. It contributed to my weight gain. After reading this definition in the article: Metabolic syndrome occurs when someone has any of three risk factors that include abdominal obesity, high fasting blood sugar, high blood pressure, high triglycerides and/or low HDL cholesterol, said Japanese researchers. How could I not have metabolic syndrome from my weight. My health was the worst it had ever been, After surgery. I'm thankful feel the sensation of full. I appreciated mindful eating classes. But it's still a work in progress to slow down.

Like it's been stated, this is your decision. Don't forget that there are also negatives about the sleeve: higher complications, longer recovery time, possibility of weight gain after the body learns how to reabsorb things. Have you thought about the Iband? It's a procedure where they take the stomach and suture it into the shape of the sleeve without removing the stomach portion, and then a band is placed at the top. From what I've read, this lowers the risk of slippage with the band due to the stomach shape and also requires less maintenance/fills because the plication of the stomach only allows for so much to be held. The negatives of the lapband are easily found too: hard to eat breads/rice/pastas, fibrous veggies, some leaner meats. You must go in for regular visits with the Dr. to get fills and check ups. You may get a leak, a flipped port, an erosion, or a slip. Recovery time is a lot less than the other WLS because you are not getting anything cut or rerouted. I just look at it like this: if any of the above complications occur with the band and prove it to be a tool I cannot use, I can always petition to insurance to have a revisional procedure. But, if it does work as planned, I have my whole anatomy and I lose weight. And, maybe in the future they will have developed an even better way to lose/maintain weight and I can upgrade then. Just really analyze the pros/cons of both.

Well I guess it could be a lot worse. I haven't been on the scale since the end of Sept and tomorrow I'm going in for a fill, I've gained 10 pounds. Are you ready for my excuses! I had vein surgery end of November so I couldn't exercise. Christmas was here and so were the sweets. Life has been really stressful! I know...I know..I know... So tomorrow is my fill. Do you know what I love the most about the band? I know that even though I gained this weight, I would have been a lot more without the band, and the bast part is that I can get my little tweek tomorrow and be back on track in no time. So I am not going to beat myself up (to much) for the weight gain, and I'm going to get back on track cause unlike before I know I can!!!

If you've ever seen any of my posts, you'd know that you and I have a lot in common. I, too, have hypothyroidism. I haven't lost weight fast. I've worked at every pound. I had surgery in December and have lost only about 50 pounds now. It hasn't been easy. I'm only down to a loose 18/tight 16 now. I don't aspire to be a 6. I won't be. I was a powerlifter and athlete in college. I wasn't small then, and I don't expect to be in a year. I walk and run over 3.5 to 4 miles a day in addition to working out in a gym 5-6 days a week. That wasn't my point in my response. My concern is that your "failure" headline and posting are very telling. Many of US will never lose weight until we accept responsibility for the foods we eat and the lifestyles we lead. I was more concerned that "failure" describes not the band, but your experience with the band. The band didn't fail, it malfunctioned. You failed at losing weight. People use this website for support. I recognize that people should have a full picture of the possible issues with the band, but I also think it's time we all start accepting responsibility in our part in being fat, plain and simple. Until we accept what WE control in this fight, we'll never win. Your weight gain--according to you--wasn't your fault. I disagree. Many people with your health issues lose weight and live healthy lives, even without the Lap-Band. You need to find a way that enables you to lose weight, through diet and exercise. Clearly the banding wasn't your way....:biggrin:

Whether you are pre-op, a recent post-op or already well on your way to weight loss, exercise plays a starring role in the speed and longevity of your overall weight management after bariatric surgery. Even if you are preparing for bariatric surgery, you can start exercising (so long as you are cleared by your doctor) and lose a surprising number of pounds even before your gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy or revision bariatric surgery. In addition, the better cardiovascular condition you are in before surgery, the fewer complications you’ll face during and after surgery. Not sure where to start? Here are instructions I offer to my own weight loss surgery patients here in Freehold, NJ: Bariatric Preoperative Stage Patients who start an exercise strategy before surgery have an easier time adjusting to exercising after surgery, according to the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS). But, admittedly, exercise is challenging for people who carry a lot of extra weight. For this reason, starting slow is imperative. If you are morbidly obese, talk with your bariatric surgeon about fitness guidelines for your current health situation. Generally speaking, these are reasonable goals to target: · Focus on cardiovascular exercise, even if it’s just a walk around the neighborhood for 10 to 30 minutes, depending on your health and doctor’s recommendation. · Start walking for 10 minutes, twice a day and add 5 minutes each day, up to 30 minutes per day. · Realize that empowerment that fitness gives you over your body and your overall health. · Appreciate how good you feel after exercising—even for 10 minutes! Weight Loss Surgery Postoperative Stage For the first two weeks after surgery, focus on flexibility exercises, deep breathing and getting back into performing normal daily activities. · At your first post-op visit with your surgeon, he or she will carefully go over your customized exercise plan based upon your health, age and the procedure you had. · With your doctor’s approval, three weeks after your operation, begin to gradually incorporate low-intensity aerobic exercise (walking or swimming are my preferred choices at this stage). · If you feel prolonged pain or discomfort, you are doing too much too soon. · During the first six weeks after surgery, do not lift more than 15 pounds. One Month and Beyond Now your goal is to increase range of motion so you can easily take off your shoes and pick things up off the ground and move around more. · Strength-training (light weights) exercises are rebuilding muscle. · Work toward 30 minutes of continuous exercise five days per week. · Avoid abdominal exercises for the first eight to 12 weeks (allow the incision to heal). This also helps to alleviate abdominal hernias near or around the incision. · Change-up your workouts so your body is constantly challenged (walk around the park today, lift weights at the gym tomorrow and use the elliptical machine) · Introduce a wider variety of bariatric fitness options: biking, yoga, dancing, aerobics, Pilates, kickboxing. A year after weight loss surgery, you should be able to perform 45 minutes to an hour of exercise five times a week. Exercise is Insurance Against Future Weight Gain A lifelong exercise program is critical to a weight loss surgery patient’s long-term success. If a physically active lifestyle has not been adopted, weight gain will likely result. (Sadly, I have seen this firsthand on more than one occasion). Exercise is insurance for long-term weight-loss. If you have a slip, an extra 5 to 10 minutes spent working out will ensure that your metabolism stays elevated and this extra effort will burn more calories. Working out will not, however, save you if you overeat regularly—bariatric surgery or not. By sticking close to your daily calorie requirements most days, drinking plenty of water and focusing on fitness, you’ll look great, feel even better and be the healthiest person you can be. And that’s worth just 30 minutes out of your day, isn’t it? Photo Credit: Woman Exercising by Witthaya Phonsawat -FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Hi Everyone! My name is Rosie and I had the sleeve done in Dec 2016. I lost 100 lbs and I was so excited. Fast forward to 2018, my husband dies. I meet my now husband and gain 50 lbs. Yes I got comfortable. I miss the old me! The more confident me. So since then I started seeing a psychiatrist to address my food addiction tendencies. I am now on medication to help with my ADHD and depression, which I Feel contributed to my weight gain. I am attempting to be more mindful in my eating. I'm here for support and encouragement. My husband wants to lose weight, so I'm doing the Dr. Now caloric diet. Heavy on protein and light on carbs. Today is day one! Woohoo! I'm excited about whats in store by both fixing my head space and how much I eat.

Ok so lets start with stats Heighest 270 Surgery: 238.1 Current 223.2 * I actually gained 4 lbs in 3 days* Height 5'7" So let me start off my saying... BLAH!!!!!!!! OK so here goes.. I thought I was doing really well.. I was going to the gym 5 days a week, staying motivated, drinking all my fluids, and trying my best to stay on the program.. Don't get me wrong im not perfect and I did cheat.. normally I don't regret it because I really work my butt off at the gym, but recently I think because I've been justifying my cheat with a "well ill just work extra hard at the gym" im actually seriously sabatoging my progress. Let me say though funny part is im not cheating my eating foods im not supposed to eat.. but because i work in a bar im having a drink instead.. SO NOT A GOOD THING as im only 3 weeks out of surgery. Why am I telling you this... BECAUSE I AM GOING TO HOLD MYSELF ACCOUNTABLE! Now here is the kicker... TODAY I WENT TO THE HOSPITAL FOR SEVERE ABDOMINAL PAIN ON THE LEFT SIDE... I was in the ER for 11 hours, and they still have absolutely no idea why i have this pain .. i don't honestly think its because of the alcohol, but it scared me enough to realize that even a small cheat can be DETRIMENTAL to my health. As of now i am still in a considerable amount of pain, docs did an iodine test to see if i have any leaks and a CT Scan, all which came back normal.. SO why the pain? If anyone has the answer to that... PLEASE LET ME KNOW. From now on though.. im stickin to the plan cuz one thing i do know.. even though the alcohol may not be causing my ab pain... It sure as hell is contributing to my WEIGHT GAIN! And it is wayyyyyyyyyyyyy to early to be gaining weight! I mean ive heard of the the 3 weeks stall... but the 3 week weight gain.. GET REAL! So here is my pledge.... I will abide by the rules, i will still hit the gym, and i will hold myself accountable!

Hi everyone, I had my initial surgery 10 years ago. I lost 98 lbs and it brought my 5'6" frame to a svelte 156.00 lbs. I was looking and feeling great. Then I started to get sick and was passing out about 2 years post-op. I found out my lapband had slipped and I went in for a revision. Again 3 years later I had to have another revision. After that time I gained weight and leveled at 180 lbs. I didn't like the number but with exercise I looked okay and felt good, so I was okay with it. Push forward 4 years and I have gained another 25 lbs and now weight 205 lbs. I have tracked my food intake for one-full year and I average 1100 calories per day. So how in the heck can I now weigh 205 lbs? I went to the surgeon and was sent for a swallow test and was told my lapband had been tilted and was extremely tight and there was no reason to gain weight. I was documenting food right down to one tic tac. Last month I had a double hernia surgery and it was performed by a surgeon who also handles gastric weight loss surgeries (not my original surgeon). He stated that my port was located in a weird area, and not the norm, the port was disconnected from the band and therefore, was not working! Not what I was told by my original surgeon. This surgeon re-connected the band and stated, the band is not tilted, nor is it too tight since it was empty, and he can fill it in February. My question is this: I keep feeling bloated and I continue to gain weight, I am currently 209 lbs. I cannot locate anything online that states how many calories is normal for labband patients. I find diets up to 4 weeks post op but nothing for long term. Would I be okay with 1100 calories and making that up with 75-80 grams of protein per day? Should I be doing less calories? Has anyone been successful with 21 day fix or some other program in addition to the lapband? I really need help I do not want to continue to climb the ladder of weight until I am adjusted. Thank you!

Wow, so much has changed since I originally started the thread "no help for the wicked." It was 3 months before I was banded, and I was really struggling with my asthma. I mean, really struggling. Death looked like a real possibility. I really thought that by now I would have lost if not all my excess weight, I would have lost a big whack of it. I was sure that I would be a size 16 by now, not still 22/24. But that is not in the cards for me. I still struggle with this. But I suppose I should have clued into the "sudden weight gain" since no one else seems to experience that particular "joy." I've since learned that it's one of the hallmarks of Cushing's, and I've had to come to terms with learning that my journy is not the typical journy. Someone on a recent thread was commenting on how pissed they were because someone told them that by having WLS they were not doing it "right" that they were not doing it the old fashioned way. That somehow having the band was cheating and so any loss woul be less valuable. I personally think that WLS is the easy way, because it makes it makes it possible for so many people to actually lose weight and keep it off for possibly the first time in their entire lives. I have absolutely no problem with this being the easy way, becaus I have no need for people to suffer. I see little value in adding suffering and grief to life. It's hard enough without looking for extra hardness to add.

Wow, so much has changed since I originally started the thread "no help for the wicked." It was 3 months before I was banded, and I was really struggling with my asthma. I mean, really struggling. Death looked like a real possibility. I really thought that by now I would have lost if not all my excess weight, I would have lost a big whack of it. I was sure that I would be a size 16 by now, not still 22/24. But that is not in the cards for me. I still struggle with this. But I suppose I should have clued into the "sudden weight gain" since no one else seems to experience that particular "joy." I've since learned that it's one of the hallmarks of Cushing's, and I've had to come to terms with learning that my journy is not the typical journy. Someone on a recent thread was commenting on how pissed they were because someone told them that by having WLS they were not doing it "right" that they were not doing it the old fashioned way. That somehow having the band was cheating and so any loss woul be less valuable. I personally think that WLS is the easy way, because it makes it makes it possible for so many people to actually lose weight and keep it off for possibly the first time in their entire lives. I have absolutely no problem with this being the easy way, becaus I have no need for people to suffer. I see little value in adding suffering and grief to life. It's hard enough without looking for extra hardness to add.

Hi Everyone! I had vsg surgery June 2016. I went from 230 to 154. I got pregnant with our 3rd boy in 2017. During the pregnancy I maintained the weight until the very end I was up a few lbs to 158. I had a csection and by the time i got home from hospital I was up to 167!!!! I had gained weight after delivering which made no sense to me but i learned it was mostly fluid retention from hospital iv’s. I watched carefully what i ate and after 2 months the retention came off plus more as i was down to 144lbs. After that and 2 months of breastfeeding I developed major cravings for junk.....mostly sugar. I was also very stressed and had been hit with ppd...depression. I was treated for depression but my cravings turned into out of control eatting of anything sweet. I am beginning to gain weight and definitely look ALOT heavier although i am 158, i look bigger than i did when i was last 158 if that makes sense. This is really depressing me and I need help as im afraid if i keep up at this rate ill be 230lbs again. Im also eating alot more quantity wise...its like i never had the surgery! I dont get the tight full feeling anymore that told me when to stop eating, i also dont the pain that tells me I overate. Has anyone else gone through this? How can i reverse it and start loosing again? Is it possible that ive stretched my sleeve? lastly, has anyone else breastfed and have gotten these cravings?

Hello all, I haven't logged onto here in about 2years. Since my WLS, I lost close to 100lbs, I felt beautiful and healthy. One goal was to get pregnant, and I did. I did not gain 1lb with my pregnancy, After I had my baby, I fit into my clothes with ease. Then post partum depression hit me..... I was put on meds and I have gained 40lbs, I don't know what to do.. I self weened from the meds because even my maternity clothes fit me tight!!!! Nothing fits me and on to a size 16-18. I am not hungry all the time like I did with them, but was wondering, the pouch test thing, would that help me get my tummy back to the size, I am so confused, I feel like I did the WLS and failed. Any suggestions, should I start my post op diet phase? I have no idea where to begin. Someone help please

Im going through that right now, just transitioned to soft foods today. I know it is easy to say dont concentrate on losing weight, but it is really true. I lost 10 pounds within the liquid phase, but I also was only able to consume about 500 calories a day. You cant really get excited about that because now that Im on mushies i know I have put that back on. I am eating things I never would as part of a regular diet of solid food. The soup is full of sodium and things like potatoes and eggs i normally avoid. I am also overconsuming calories because this mushy crap does not fill me up and my band is pretty open so I don't have good restriction yet. It will get better on solid food. Before surgery I lost 40 pounds eating anywhere from 1000-1200 calories, but i was eating healthy hearty food. Since we cant do that right now, Im not focusing on losing for the entire 6 weeks of the healing phase. It has been hard, but 2 weeks left. I am also not exercising really yet and that makes a difference for me. So be patient and just try to eat good. Like my nurse said to me, you have the rest of the time to lose weight, there really is no rush. As long as you are following your doctors orders, it will come off eventually. Weight gain is not uncommon and we do know it can come off again.

Don't put butter and sour cream on your mashed spuds. Don't pour sugar all over your oatmeal. My nutritionist recommended I eat soft deli meats like turkey and i did which helped fill me. Tomato Soup just pours right through the band so I needed something semi solid. I make some mean refried Beans so that sticks around for a while, just don't be adding a bunch of lard to it. Lots of mushies also have a high sodium content which can make you hold back Water which appears as weight gain. Try to keep that sodium content low. Good luck. tmf

Your PCP may or may not have much experience with weight loss surgery. What about your endocrinologist? I doubt very much that they would not check your blood sugar before sending you home without your insulin and other meds, as @RickM said. But talk to your surgery center about what your PCP said and your concerns, but don't cancel your surgery. Even if you can't immediately go off your meds, there are lots of other health benefits to surgery and you might in time be able to go off the meds. The goal in life isn't to have the fewest pills; it's to live the best life, with or without pills. I take about 18 pills a day, none of which I will be able to stop after surgery because they are for a condition that is not caused by my weight. (The meds cause weight gain, but that's another issue.) I am still having surgery, because it affects my quality of life to be so heavy, and is going to lead to other health problems down the road.