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I have only one friend who seems to be very against the idea of surgery. She's lost a lot of weight, gained a little back, and is paying for Weight Watchers again to try and lose more. Every time I mention the surgery, she goes off against it, saying that she's seen it fail so many times and blah blah blah... completely ignoring the fact that a) I am not doing RNY, and b ) I am ME, not any of those people she knows who regained all of their weight. It's insulting, and I'm not sure our relationship will survive my having the surgery. My procedure is on Monday, the 23rd.... so time will tell very soon.

I'm with you. There are many that stay to a very very low carb diet, for me it would I feel backfire for me and trigger weight gain in the future. My system would be shocked and gain weight out of shock. Moderation for me and where the carbs are coming from is key. But to write them off as the Anti-Christ would backfire for me... As far as weight loss I am losing great but the no or almost non existent carb people are 20% faster at losing. I say we are still in the honeymoon phase so I am looking for longevity... Maybe I'm right, maybe im wrong, just my 2 cents....

yep - I begged my gyno to take me off it when she couldn't guarantee that my weight gain would stop - after I gained 40 lbs!

I started a non estrogen bcp on January 28th and had a polyp removed this morning due to nonstop bleeding for months. I got on the scale and only lost 1 pound since Jan 12th. I was shocked! Granted I did a reset mid to late January and lost 5 pounds in about 6 days (a lot of water I'm sure) but, I've been faithfully tracking and exercising since (had a 4 day trip to Florida but didn't eat much and walked a lot) and was sure I had lost another 7 or 9 pounds. Nope! Now I'm really questioning if it had anything to do with the bcp. I'm only 7 months post surgery and starting to worry about reaching goal at this weight. I figure I'll call surgeon's office in a week if the scale doesn't budge. One thing I know from my past experience with bcp is every body and type of pill is so unique in how it effects a woman. I too fear the IUD weight gain because I'm so prone to weight gain as it is. Not sure if that helps at all. I feel it was part my venting, as well.

I am sorry Gamergirl but the abuse you suffered at the hands of those boys is enough to make any person very emotionally and mentally sick... Of course in your case it was not your parents..But that played a part in your future. It had to! We have an inward conscience of what is right and wrong if we are not mass murderers and or people who are wired to cause pain and suffering to others....But it did play a part in your mind...Way back and deep it was hidden...It is amazing what the body will do to give it some ease or protect itself.... I will never say that building walls or eating until you are extremely obese is the answer. But it seems to me that there are a lot of people who suffered some tragedy in their life to assist in weight gain.... We are one screwed up world for sure and it is always children who suffer the worst and pay for it later......

That statistic, besides being an average, reflects bounce back weight gain which is pretty common, general diet complacency where after a couple of years we let things slide a bit, adjustments to the way you eat to better complement your lifestyle, general health, changes to medication, etc. It’s not the highest amount of weight you may lose but where you MAY end up at the three years point. It’s the same stat that says the a average weight loss at three years for sleeve is about 65% of the weight you have to lose. The most I lost was 43.8kgs (141%) . Then I settled at around 42kg (135%). Now at three years it’s 40 (129% - damn HRT & I had to up my protein intake.) Yes, my gain is minimal & I lost a lot more then the stats suggested but others do experience less loss & greater gains. Treat averages (stats) & BMIs for that matter as a guide only not a hard & fast rule. They just give you a bit of an idea of what might happen.

My experience with Cigna Insurance and the Quest for Lap Band approval. I want to first give all thanks, praise and honor to God who has delivered me from my misery. I have learned quite a bit about what to do and what NOT to do when applying for coverage with Cigna. I hope that this note can be of help to the many who seek Lap Band Approval. My experience in getting approved for Lap Band Surgery. I first contacted my PCP (Primary Care Physician) and made an appointment to meet with her to discuss weight loss procedures. She agreed that the Lap Band was one of the safest techniques out there so we moved forward. She then asked me to find a Doctor who performs the procedure and do my re-search to check the credentials and success. I then went on line and located a Dr in my area. I gave her his name and she type up a referral letter so I could present it to his office. I called his office to inquire as to what steps I needed to start for the surgery. I was told to attend a Seminar to see what the Lap Band was all about, etc so I did. After the Seminar I called the office the following work day and was told I needed to set up a Consultation. At the consultation he took my weight, height, blood pressure, heart rate, etc and talked to me about dieting, weight loss and the procedure. He then told that I would need me a series of tests prior to being qualified for the surgery. There are several tests such as an Upper G.I., Eco, Stress test & Psychological Evaluation. Once I completed those test the Dr's office faxed the information to Cigna. I did not hear from Cigna so after about 5 days and I called the Dr's office to see if they had heard any news. They did not and the Receptionist encouraged me to call Cigna to see what status my paper work was in. I called and they asked me to call back in 7 days, so I did. Cigna said they needed more information but refused to tell me what information they needed over the phone. So the Rep stated that they would send it to me and the Dr's office via "snail mail". After 7 days neither of us had received the letter. I called back and told the Rep that we had not received the letter and due to time constraint I needed the information today! The Rep told me that she could not give me the information over the phone and I immediately asked for a Supervisor. She transferred me, I remained calm in advising the Supv. that I had not received the letter and needed to know what information they were still needing. The Supv then advised me that they did not receive the Psy Eval (we did fax it) and they also needed a letter from my PCP of my diets, weight-loss, gain etc. I had not presented them with a letter of weight loss from my PCP so I called and asked if she would type something up for me. Although I had not been on a 6 months diet program, I did have 5 years of weight loss on file. I did not go on Weight-watchers, Jenny Craig, etc but I did do the Atkins Diet in which I managed to loose 88 lbs. My PCP type a very generic letter stating my weight loss, disciple, determination, etc. This was not at all what they asked for because I had not been on a supervised 6 month diet per say, but I was successful as loosing the 88 lbs on Atkins and working out. I was a bit nervous when I read the letter from my PCP, but she only stated the truth and that's what we went with. When I presented the letter to Dr's office the Receptionist read it and said "well it's different but we will send it anyway". "Cigna is tough and they usually require documentation stating the different diets, weight loss and/or weight gain with each diet". I then told him that this is all I have so let's go with it. Since they asked us to re-send the Psy Eval he faxed it over again with the letter on a Monday. I called them on Tuesday to confirm that they had received the fax and they did. At that time they advised me that it would be a 48 - 72 hour turn around before the office that I was speaking too would have it. So I called back the next day on Wednesday and they had not received the paper work from the other department but asked me to check back later. I called back on Thursday to see if they had received it in their office and also to see if I was approved or denied. The Rep told me I would receive a letter advising whether or not I was approved or denied. I told her that I've never received anything that they said I would and demanded to speak with the department who makes the final decision. After giving me the run around she finally transferred me to the Pre - Determination department.The Representative from the Pre - D department then asked me to hold, she came back and said we have the paper work in office and you are approved! I couldn't believe my ears! I asked her if she was sure and she said yes. I immediately hung up and called Dr's office and spoke with John. By this time he knew my voice and said "hello, what's going on", have you heard anything? I said "praise God...I'm approved! He then asked me to call Cigna back to get them to fax a "Authorization Letter" which would have the Authorization number on it. I called back and Cigna said they could not give me the number over the phone but would mail it. Once again I had to bypass the first Rep and ask to speak with the Pre-D department. Once getting through the Rep in Pre-D pulled my chart and gave me the Authorization number over the phone. She stated that they would mail a letter to me and the Dr's office. The most important thing was getting the Authorization number even if we didn't have the letter yet. When I called John back with the Authorization number, we both started laughing in total dis-belief. I do not have any illness that Cigna requires for this surgery. So much was going against me but I stayed on my knees trusting in God. I had a 37 BMI, no high blood pressure, no diabetes, etc. I am as healthy as can be but because of my height 5ft 1 inch and 196 lbs, I am 75 lbs overweight. That was my only leg to stand on regarding health issue was the 75 lbs overweight. I do believe the 88 lb weight loss worked in my favor over the 5 years that I had been dieting. I did not loose any weight the last 2 1/2 years and that is why I began to see medical help. I started this journey on May 9th , 2007 and I was approved on June 14th, 2007. To say the least I was ecstatic! There are some very important things I learned in this quest for a new beginning. First, have all your ducks in a row before submitting paperwork to Cign or they will quickly deny you! Secondly, seek a good Dr. who is persistent in following up with you to see if the Insurance Company has contacted you. Thirdly, you must be proactive in following up for yourself call, call and call again! I cannot stress how important it is to have ALL your documents faxed on the 1st go round. Then, you must call, call, and continue to call. It is annoying to continue calling but if you do not call over and over, your chances of getting approved is very...very slim! Another key is bypassing the first Representative and being transferred to another department who can give more concrete information. God will deliver those who trust and believe in Him. Don't give up! Warmest Regards,

hey iluvcarbs! i've been one "the pill" since i was 16 after having an ovary removed because i had a big ol tumor on it and then having really bad periods after that. i was scared to go on the pill since i've only got the one ovary and didn't want to have any fertility problems in the future. i was on about 3 different brands before going on Yasmin. everything else was making me feel sick but i've had no side effects with Yasmin. some friends of mine also use it and they haven't had any weight gain from it or other side effects. i think the most important thing is to work with your md and just know that the first thing you try might not be right for you but you'll find one that is a good fit. :rose:

Hello. May I ask who your insurance was with and also did you have to pay out of pocket expenses. My BMI is 37 but I have really bad swelling in my joints and pain due to my weight gain. Please help!

I have the MIrena IUD and have had it during my lapband surgeries and my sleeve. Had no issues with weight gain. Dr told me since the hormones are released in the reproductive tract, it works differently. A previous post explained it well. I have 3 different doctors put the lapband in/take it out and do the sleeve. None of the 3 even mentioned removing the Mirena. That's over the top (in my opinion). I barely get my period and have zero cramps. I highly recommend it!

I meet my husband while I was still thin in high school. We just celebrated our 5 year anniversary last week. He has been very supportive of my weight gain and my decisions to have surgery. It sucks because he is 6' 175lbs and can easy anything! I feel that people have to have an initial physical attraction in order to be interested in getting to know you in a romantic way. I do feel my husband may not have hit on me if I had started at this weight before he knew me.

I was in the same situation as you. I was banded on Sept 19th. I lost 10 pounds in the the first 2 weeks, but in the last 2 weeks, I have managed to gain 3 pounds. I have followed the diet, and I am eating very healthy. I go for my first fill tomorrow. I was freaking out about the 3 pound weight gain that I actually called the nurse. She did tell me that it was normal at this time frame. In the frist 2 weeks your not hungry due to the trauma to your stomach, but then your hunger starts to kick in. I don't snack between meals, and my calorie intake is low. She reassured me that once I started getting fills, the weight will come off. As for working out, my doctor said I was free to work out. I was told 30 minutes of cardio and 30 minutes of strength training. I could not lift anything more than 20 pounds, and no abdominal excersizes for the first 4 weeks. The elliptical would have been fine for me to do. Every doctor is different. I'm sure you are doing everything right. The weight will start to come off. Do you use myfitnesspal? Would love to be friends if you do.

Thanks Shirley & Crybaby, it is good to hear from other thyroid sufferers. I had Graves disease when I was 16 yrs old, got down to 80pds. Was in the hospital 2 weeks while they tried to get it under control. Had surgery to remove half my gland. Did well with no thyroid meds until age 40. I got hyper again, this time had remainder of thyroid removed. Ever since then it has been constant weight gain and other health problems. You cannot get a doctor to prescribe Armour where I live and we have a teaching hospital! I would like to try it, many of the thyroid support sites swear by it. I have tried synthroid and cytomel together and felt the same. So currently am just on synthroid. What's crazy to me is when I was convinced to have the remainder of my thyroid removed, I was told it would be easier to control my thyroid disease. There has not been anything easy about it! I go about every 3 to 4 mths to my Endo and my TSH is constantly up and down. I will try to not get so caught up on the numbers, although it is hard when people are posting their progress all the time. I weigh just once a week, but I might just take your advice and not weight at all. My next post op visit is mid July. My doc said I might need a fill if I am not losing 1-2 pds per week. I scheduled a follow up for next Thursday, so I will see what he recommends.

This is the best time of year to get banded - you won't be gaining weight during the holiday season you will be losing -:clap2: Think of it that way in a more positive light instead of the negative - omg i can't eat - well - that's why you are getting the band cuz you over eat... You can have a taste of this or that the band isn't going to stop you - you can have a bite or 2 of cake - just not those hugh and more than one piece that you had before - you can have turkey - mashed potatoes - stuffing - gravey - pie etc - where does it say you can't - it's just you will be eating alot smaller portions and of course you should be making wise & healthy food choices - low fat, low sugar - this is about a lifestyle change You can learn to reprogram your mind to strip away the guilt that comes with dieting. You have to realize that it’s not that the first slice of cake that will doom your diet – it’s the second or third or whole thing that leads to weight gain. As to giving our BEST FRIEND FOOD up - is it really your best friend??? it made you (when I am saying you - I do me WE) fat and unhealthy and is robbing you of your life.... It's not your best freind - it is your drug of choice - you have been hiding behind it for most of your life - we eat to sooth our emotions - boredom - stress - cuz it taste good = sertionan increase in our brain - our high... Ya i felt all these emotions too- (i was on pre-op diet for my Sons BD) I just put on my big girl panties and deal with it - We are not weak people - we gotta stop thinking like one - we gotta quit makeing up all these reason we are going to fail before we even start - (this was always my biggest problem).. You have to listen to your body & respond smartly to your cravings and emotions but over time you will learn how to eat right and mange your craving and that’s when you’ll train your brain to stop obsessing about eating right and punishing yourself – If you stop over thinking you’ll stop over eating..

I'm the opposite of Jacqui, I carried most of my weight in my tummy and torso and still carry most of the last 20 pounds I want to lose there. Do I NEED plastic surgery? No. I had a PS consult early this year and the cost ($20,000 Australian for a lower body lift) just wasn't worth it, it was purely cosmetic and vanity driven for me. I don't wear tight figure hugging clothes because I have a few lumps and bumps, but I don't know that I would if I was smooth anyway. I don't have loose skin as such, but I could use a little tightening all over to be perfect (but then, who is perfect??). I guess the best way to put it is that while some weight loss leaves a person looking like a fully deflated balloon, I'd probably be at about only 10-15% deflated. I got out of this as one of the lucky ones I think. Weight gain/loss take different tolls on our bodies and each journey is SO unique, it would be SO hard to even fathom a guess at what some body's body will look like after a massive loss.

Thanks Skinnie. I am at the opint in this whole journey where my focus is brginning to shift from "how am I going to lose all this weight" to "how am I going to eat and what am I going to feed my family from now on?" There is a different mindset, and both are necessary at different times. I have about 25 pounds to lose before PS and then only 15 to goal, so I am trying to switch to a lifestyle of eating healthy. I will still make Protein my priority and I will eat healthy veggies and fruits. Only whole grains and very little bread. If it doesn't work I can always go back to strict low carb. I am really nervous about this decision. I fear cravings and weight gain, but I think, like you said minnie, that if I stick with healthy choices then I will be ok. I am not going anywhere!! You guys rock!!

Wow Samantha a size 18 Calvin Klein, what a milestone! All the marathon training etc that is going on is so impressive too. I am not more hungry... yet. I have days when I can eat a little more, and others when I can't. But really those just cancel themselves out and I don't think that I am overeating. Snacking I could see could happen. Various people in my UK group who are further down the line than we are are going to Slimming World, or the equivalent for much the same reason and that seems to be really helpful for accumulative bad eating habits and weight gain. I have never stopped going but I would be stricter again if I was having problems with my eating/weight. At the moment as I am having such small amounts and focusing on protein so I find that I sometimes eat things that would not be on the plan, like occasional nuts. There is no reason to ever be hungry following SW so that is a real bonus. Take care all of you. Claire

When I met my husband of 8 years ago I already had RnY surgery...and was at my lowest adult weight at that time and looking and feeling fabulous! But about 4-5 years ago I started gaining weight and I can tell although he does not say anything he does not like the weight gain. I decided finally to seek a revision of my previous procedure and I am currently in the preop surgery process with all the tests and appts., we have talked about it and he is happy either way with my decision to do the revision surgery or to continue trying to lose it without surgery. People's inner self can manifest at any time,so for some the weightloss was their catalyst sadly!!

@@trishrnyoung you lost 20 lbs pre & post op?? that's wonderful there ARE certain medications that can rub the wrong way concerning weight loss some might cause weight gain this issue is something to talk to NUT or doc about an official stall, plateau is when you haven't lost any weight for at least 2-3 weeks not 2-3 days many times newbies et al have unrealistic expectations it took months and years to gain weight it's not gonna melt off overnight mom called the day after i came home from hospital she told me to stand up then she said "did your underwear fall down?" i told her it doesn't work that way!!! she said something like "Oh, I thought it did"!!! i'm sure you are following all the basic rules Water, Protein, portions, carbs, veggies etc please DON'T be discouraged!! "GOD Grant Me Patience Just Hurry Up About It" good luck kathy

I has gastric sleeve surgery March 30, 2015 and have not told many people. Medical professionals know, my parents know, my aunt, 1 cousin, and 2 close friends. Most others do not know unless they have speculated. I lived across country when I had surgery and only came home to Boston once a year for Christmas. So this has kept my "secret" safe. I am not ashamed of having surgery. However, I did not want to tell the world then run the risk of failing afterward. I didn't want others to watch everything that I eat with "no-no" eyes shaming me for having a drink, a cookie, or something they assumed I should not have. I did not want to be judged for doing well, or poorly, or for regaining any weight afterward. My poor cousin had gastric bypass surgery in 2013, lost over 100 lbs, and toned his body and looked marvelous. As his marriage started to crumble and fail, he slowly gained weight then quickly gained some more. He is now much larger than he was before. It hurts to see how hard he worked to have his progress erased. His surgery and weight gain are no secret and has been the subject of chitter amongst family. And that is exactly what I do not want for myself. As awful as it is, I must admit that my weight has become a complete OBSESSION for me. I truly do not want to be the cause of my own death. I do not want to be a size 2. I just want to be healthy. And I get there and stay there is my journey, and battle. Sent from my SM-G920P using the BariatricPal App

Read this on another WLS forum.... Slider Foods Spell Weight Regain For Weight Loss Surgery Patients By Kaye Bailey For most people eating sliders is a good thing. Popularized by the American food chain, White Castle, a slider (originally slyder) is a miniature grilled hamburger or cheeseburger on a steamed bun often served with onions and dill pickle and other condiments. They originally sold for a nickel a piece in the 1940s making it affordable to add a side of fries for just pennies. By all accounts this is a good kind of "slider" food. To the weight loss surgery patient slider foods are the bane of good intentions and ignorance often causing dumping syndrome, weight loss plateaus, and eventually weight gain. Slider foods, to weight loss surgery patients, are soft simple processed carbohydrates of little or no nutritional value that slide right through the surgical stomach pouch without providing nutrition or satiation. The most innocent of slider foods are saltine crackers, often eaten with warm tea or other beverages, to soothe the stomach in illness or while recovering from surgery. The most commonly consumed slider foods include pretzels, crackers (saltines, graham, Ritz, etc.) filled cracker Snacks such as Ritz Bits, popcorn, cheese snacks (Cheetos) or cheese crackers, tortilla chips with salsa, potato chips, sugar-free Cookies, cakes, and candy. You will notice these slider foods are often salty and cause dry mouth so they must be ingested with liquid to be palatable. This is how they become slider foods. They are also, most often, void of nutritional value. For weight loss surgery patients the process of digestion is different than those who have not undergone gastric surgery. When slider foods are consumed they go into the stomach pouch and exit directly into the jejunum where the simple carbohydrate slurry is quickly absorbed and stored by the body. There is little thermic effect in the digestion of simple carbohydrates like there is in the digestion of Protein so little metabolic energy is expended. In most cases patients in the phase of weight loss who eat slider foods will experience a weight loss plateau and possibly the setback of weight gain. And sadly, they will begin to believe their surgical stomach pouch is not functioning properly because they never feel fullness or restriction like they experience when eating protein. The very nature of the surgical gastric pouch is to cause feelings of tightness or restriction when one has eaten enough food. However, when soft simple carbohydrates are eaten this tightness or restriction does not result and one can continue to eat, unmeasured, copious amounts of non-nutritional food without ever feeling uncomfortable. Many patients turn to slider foods for this very reason. They do not like the discomfort that results when the pouch is full from eating a measured portion of lean animal or dairy protein without liquids. Yet it is this very restriction that is the desired result of the surgery. The discomfort is intended to signal the cessation of eating. Remembering the "Protein First" rule is crucial to weight management with bariatric surgery. Gastric bypass, gastric banding (lap-band) and gastric sleeve patients are instructed to follow a high protein diet to facilitate healing and promote weight loss. Bariatric centers advise what is commonly known among weight loss surgery patients as the "Four Rules" the most important of which is "Protein First." That means of all nutrients (protein, carbohydrates, fat and alcohol) the patient is required to eat protein first. Protein is not always the most comfortable food choice for weight loss surgery patients who feel restriction after eating a very small amount of food. However, for the surgical tool to work correctly a diet rich in protein and low in simple carbohydrate slider foods must be observed. The high protein diet must be followed even after healthy body weight has been achieved in order to maintain a healthy weight and avoid weight regain. Kaye Bailey 2010 - All Rights Reserved

I can't see how you can blame a product (i.e. evil contraption) when it sounds like it was medical malpractice on your doctor's part. You can have a IUD put in wrong or any product and if the doctor makes error, you can't blame the product. P.S. If you really did your research like you said, um.... you would have known that the lapband doesn't work with liquids. lol That's pretty basic stuff that you didn't know from your research. (Your quote "Third major problem: (was not told this ahead of time either) weight gain is guaranteed if you DRINK liquids with your meals")

I beleive it is truly an evil contraption and I expect to see it pulled from the market in a few years. I think the number of patients with problems from it is higher than the 40 something %, base on the forums on the web where people talk about it. On to my story...I was banded 3 years ago. I won't bore you with all the medical probs it has caused, but during my research to find out what some of medical issues were, I came across the following shocking information-- Sometimes during the lapband surgery the vagus nerve gets damaged OR even worse some drs actually go on and wrap the Vagus nerve around the lapband in order to help curb hunger. This fact was NOT disclosed to me ahead of time. The Vagus nerve is a main nerve that runs down through your ears, thru your heart, your stomach and other major parts of the body. I was having all these symptoms in those areas and more, loss of hearing, AFIB (which I wound up having some major heart surgery for), extreme stomach pain and so forth. A very LARGE number of lapband patients develop AFIB. Also had to have my gall bladder removed after banding, again, another high percent of banded patients have this prob. Fast forward 3 years, so much pain, so many problems, yet all tests show my lapband is perfectly in place, not twisted, not eroded, etc etc. THEREFORE, insurance won't pay for its removal as of now! There is no test to prove the Vagus nerve is damaged. So there is nothing on paper to prove my theory that the Vagus nerve is damaged, and thus causing all my probs. Next major problem with the lapband: I didnt go with gastric bypass because I didnt want to be on b12 shots the rest of my life ( a known prob with gastic bypass). But now, guess what? I am Vit b12 deficient. (also not told that this was a possible side effect with the band) Third major problem: (was not told this ahead of time either) weight gain is guaranteed if you DRINK liquids with your meals, had I been told this I would have never gotten it because I know I drink with nearly every bite I eat. I knew there would be diet changes, etc, but not this! And yes, I DID do my pre-surgery research for over a year, and used a highly reccomended surgeon in my area, but without ALL the info fo what all can go wrong, as well as all the failures and removals of the lapband after banding, how was I to make a REALLY informed decision? I would NOT reccomend this procedure to anyone.

Ahh okay I gotcha. Well under the circumstances girlie I wouldn't feel too bad about it. If they didn't put you on a strict "eat x y z" and then gave you something that has a side effect of weight gain then what do they expect! Good luck with everything and don't worry about the hijacking as long as there are no snakes on plane we're alright

as for the weight gain... scale, very confident... bowel have not been moving... tried "correctol" made me very sick to stomache and did nothing else. any suggestions? eating.....i know i have eating more lately... but i am eating so much less than before and no snacking.... some papers tell me to only eat 2 ounces of food... then others i see say half a cup... everything is different... thanks for your insight!!!!!!!!