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Moonlitestarbrite, I definitely see where you're coming from, and clearly your actions come from a place of deep concern. But my response to you and to the OP, Shazam, is that this is just none of your business, even if you mean well. With a very limited number of exceptions (i.e., minor children who need their parents' guidance and who should be encouraged by all means available to avoid a lifetime of obesity; close intimates who have expressed a willingness to confront their weight problem and asked for your help), it is no one's place to confront, intervene on or otherwise evangalize fat people, and just because we've lost weight post-WLS doesn't give us a license to insinuate ourselves into other people's struggles. This is true even if they'd be better off making the same choice we did. For one thing, these "interventions" almost never benefit the person being targeted; they tend to be more about the person initiating the conversation's feelings (which have apparently been hurt by the target's weight gain), rather than offering concrete help. Are you prepared to go to this person's house every week and help him/her cook healthful foods? Are you offering him/her a gym membership? Even if you are, obesity is a terrible disease with all sorts of underpinnings, and I think you'd be better off dealing with your feelings of disgust and alarm over other people's weight choices. Not all fat people are going to die this month or this year or this decade, and people can choose to be fat in this life. Also, I can tell you from my experience that conversations about my weight were deeply, deeply embarrassing to me for most of the time I was morbidly obese. This was a combination of 1.) yes I know I've gained weight, thank you and 2.) my feelings of total helplessness over how to change. These things were solved only when I made the conscious adult decision to change my life and pursue WLS, and the four or five "interventions" that various people in my life tried before then probably delayed this decision by an entire year or two. These discussions were never effective, served only to plunge me deeper into denial, and were among the most offensive and traumatic experiences of my life. I would look at this situation as a chance to continue healing by repairing your own interpersonal boundaries, which are askew if another person's weight gain is having this kind of impact on you.

Yikes. I really feel like unless you are a doctor or somehow being asked, you should not insert yourself. We get excited about the weight loss and some of us have a need or desire to evangelize about it, but we have to get here on our own steam. I have two examples of help that worked with me. A friend approached me last year with a Nike Fuel band last year before I even considered surgery. She was changing to a Jawbone, and offered me the band, talking about how much fun and addictive it was to her to watch her steps every day. Then, I also have a friend who was sleeved in June of last year, who started talking to me about her plans in August of 2012 and suggested that I look into it too. I was even a little offended with her; surely I wasn't as bad off as she was, right? But I was, and she knew it. Amazing now that I sometimes thought my weight gain was invisible to others. These are two very close friends and the subject was approached very carefully. On one hand, people say rude stuff all the time to overweight and obese people; I'm sure each of us has a list in our heads of the things that have been said to us over the years. But unless you would be in the right position to stage an intervention for drugs or alcohol, another person's weight is not something I'd comment on.

Have a question for all of you, How do you approach someone, nicely, they need to loose weight? Or even better, How could someone approach you that you have gained weight? This could possibly be related or even unrelated to WLS surgery. I am asking this because, apparently, most if us are upset that someone mentions to us that we or a person have gained weight. Could it possibly be that we might care about this person, and do not want them to have the health issues which go along with weight gain. So we try to say something, yet when we say something they are hurt and eat to sooth themselves? I've noticed that many of us do not like to hear that we have gained weight. So how does one approach us, without us being offended?

Yeah, that's part of who we were, and some of that person is still in there. The things/feelings that drove us to WLS are probably the things that well up once in a while, so I'm not surprised from the emotion that comes with it. The thing for me is that I am the SAME person, and my thin self sort of wonders how/why I let that happen (extreme weight gain), so that's where I struggle. My daughter graduated from high school last week, and we had a big graduation party yesterday. She made big picture collage and she put a few of me on there from before. I had the same sort of reaction you describe looking at a particular picture. It was a family picture from my husbands side, and there I was, looking the absolute best I could look, but huge. Literally huge. I had on a pretty teal colored sweater, and it really stands out in that picture....and it just makes me a little sick to see it. I took up so much space in the picture, literally the same amount of space as 2 people. Now I am half the size I used to be. That picture was one of about 50-60 on a very full board, but somehow I feel like that one 4x6 print dominates the board. That's how I used to feel all the time, that my size made me the negative center of attention. On a more positive note, people came to the party and some that I haven't seen in a year didn't recognize me! People I invited came and walked right past me, lol. So, I try not to dwell on how things used to be, because you can't change the past. It is what it is, and the future is so much brighter. I'm glad it's only a distant memory and I'm not living it everyday any more.

I can eat a lot! And can eat around the sleeve too. I do eat around 2 cups of food at dinner... can eat lots of salad...and junk and at other times get the breaks put on by the sleeve at very little food (may not even be protein) I have to write it all down and plan for healthy choices to keep on track. Restriction is a great tool, but will not keep me from gaining all by itself. I can def eat more now than I could at one year out. If you don't have the healthy eating plan in place, you may be caught in a weight gain cycle at some time. It has happened to the best of us at some point. The more tools in the tool chest, the better life you can build!

I have been banded since '07. I have had highs and definitely lows. I lost a lot of weight, gained, and lost again and gained it back! I'm just burt out! I'm back close to my original weight. I honestly can't hold food down..somedays I might get lucky and I can eat a boca burger patty only. I'm really scared for my health. I'm 32 and I got shingles. My children's doctor was shocked and asked did I have AIDS. I said no ..I just had a baby and also recently been screened and no change of husband lol. The Dr seemed really concerned why my immune system is so low. Also I have extreme heartburn all the time and my throat hurts. I don't want esophageal cancer! I know some people lie and say oh I don't eat that..or whatever to make excuses to why they gain weight. This is not the case! I drink Water and 2 glasses of 1%milk a day. I TRY to eat a low calorie diet that usually just comes up. I can say I haven't been exercising. I have a two month old baby and a toddler that are giving me a run for my sanity and time! What the heck should I do? Is it me? Could I be doing something wrong? I made an appointment with my surgeon in a week. Any advice would be great!

I don't know how accurate this article is but it seems reasonable. It is about glycogen stores depletion and Water. When you are on the liquid diet, your glycogen stores in your liver and muscles are depleted. Each gram of glycogen needs like 2.7 grams of water to be stored. When you lose the glycogen, you lose the water weight. When you start to eat again and re-add glycogen to your body, your body then retains the needed water. Hence, the sometimes dramatic up and down water weight gains and losses. http://justinowings.com/understanding-bodyweight-and-glycogen-de/

Hi, my name is Linda and I'm really new to this my start date is May 2014. I have been rather heavy most my life but never this heavy at 213 lbs. I have many health issues and on so many medications that increase the weight gain also that I need some help getting this weight off and keeping it off. I have been reading the many forums on here for a week now, every day I have read something new that will help me in my Quest to be thin, or at a decent weight. Some say your not over weight enough to have this done, but when you have to buy 1x and 2 x tops there is a weight issue. I started out at the PCP at 215 he said at 5'5 I have a bmi at 37. I have had my meeting with the surge in and he is wonderful! Been to see nut and a support group just yesterday. I've had my exercise eval done and will have a EDG done on Tuesday the 10 June. My ins calls for 6 visits with PCP and I have to have medical problems, which it have many. What do I want to get out of this? I want to get down and play with my 9 wonderful grandchildren, work in the yard, do my own house work and to look healthy and live longer. Is there any one around my age that has had this done, I'm at 57. Would love to hear from you or anyone on how you made it through the surgery and recovery. I've had so much information from drs nut already that it's a bit over whelming. My fiancé was not on with this, and I don't know if he is or isn't now. He tells me it's to drastic to go through just to lose a little weight... Ha 75 lbs is not a little weight, and I want to keep it off also. Were to be married Jan 31 2015, I believe it will be put on hold just because I don't know when surgery is or what faze I will be in at the time. Also haven't told my kids, just know my daughter will have her say in this. My son well he's easy going and what makes me happy makes him happy. Wow looking back I've written a book so I will stop here and thank you all for writing on this forum for people like me to read.

Look, when we reach another diet stage we begin to test the waters. I remember trying pretzel chips and beef Jerky bites. Ok, not trying them, but it was a love for weeks. I could eat 'real foods!' I couldn't understand why the scale wasn't moving anymore and I was gaining 2-3 pounds. So, I stopped buying that stuff and went back to the original plan and slowly the weight started coming back off. Your weight gain could easily be from salt intake or adding crackers and stuff like that. Go back and read what they say about other food types and make sure you are drinking your Water. Good luck you can do this!

I was sleeved on April 23. I have been doing well, losing steadily and not panicking at the stalls. However, today I got on the scale and am UP 8 pounds from a week ago! Yesterday, I noticed I was hungrier than usual, but still only chose foods allowed on my plan (lean Protein and veg). I'm going to start workouts today, but this can't be normal! I am not premenstrual, so it can't be that. Eight pounds!!! How can this be?

I'm so thankful to have been sleeved and to have lost so much weight so quickly. It's been a lot of work but well worth the effort and risk associated with the surgery. My health problems (all the standard ones) are all fixed and I feel great. As I approach my goal weight, my wife, daughter and several people at work keep telling me I should stop losing now, but I'd still like to reduce my love handles. I established my goal weight based on weight lost 22 years ago and the level that I thought was good back then. However, I look different this time (at age 54) and a few tell me I look frail. Given my workout schedule, which includes strength training 3 times/week, I'm not at all frail but my new turkey neck does make me look older. Also, I'm told I walk differently (like an old man) and used to walk with more pep (when fat). Not sure the reason for this, but I've noticed myself hunching forward and try to adjust accordingly. So many changes without explanations. Monday I'm going back to my nut to figure out how to stop losing weight in a healthy manner. Somehow they left that out of my surgeon's instructions. I never imagined I would be in the situation where I'm trying to stop losing weight. Hopefully when I'm out of the honeymoon stage, I won't go back to fighting weight gains again .... I'm also very thankful for all of the support provided on this site and the great advice and information I've received here along the way ... Andrew

This story has a beginning, but the end is still nowhere in sight. I am the oldest of three kids. My mother is one of those breathtaking, exotic beauties that you just can't help but admire. My father was a handsome man—full of life. We were adorable children—happy and content. I looked like my Dad, but was starting to look like Mom every day. The happiness didn't last. When Dad left, depression took over and I had no one to talk to besides my siblings, who were too young to confide in. That's when my brother and sister and I discovered how comforting food was. Through the years my body grew out as well as up, and I noticed something. My brother and sister where growing up to be beautiful, slender people, and I got fat. Really fat. To this day I still don't understand how genetics can bless two siblings and curse the other, but that is my lot in life. I hated my body and as the years extended into adolescence and adulthood, the hatred toward my excess fat turned into self-loathing, which led to more weight gain and more fat, more tears, and more heartbreak. I couldn't stand the person I had become, but through years of dieting and killing myself trying to do extreme workouts and diets, I decided to just accept the perceived fact that I would always be fat, sad, and alone. It seemed the only person who truly understood my heartache was my cousin, sister, and EC (Eternal Companion,) MexicanGirl. She was going through the same thing. We loved each other, supported each other, confided in each other, and yes, ate together and got fatter together. Then it came. The worst day of my life.The day Dad died, my heart failed. The wind was taken out of my lungs and with it, my will to live. I sunk into the deepest, blackest despair. I cried every night and prayed to God that he would take me home to be with my Dad before I woke up in the morning. If it weren't for MexicanGirl, I don't think I would be alive right now writing this. When I woke up, I was bursting out of all of my clothes and I didn't recognize myself in pictures. I thought back to when I lost Dad. More than anything, I want to be a wife and a mother. I didn't see myself getting there, and even if that miracle did happen, I couldn't bear the thought of my own daughter holding my hand as I die too young and not having the heart to let go until rigor mortis set in and she has to pry her hand out of mine like I did with Dad. I knew I needed to break the cycle. I knew that if I kept going down this path, I would become a diabetic like Dad and die too early. I had to stop it. I researched more diets and exercise programs. Nothing felt right. I knew I would fail them all. Then one day at church, I heard this new girl in the pew in front of me talking to my other cousin about her upcoming marriage. I didn't know here, but I felt very strongly that I needed to introduce myself and offer to design her wedding invitations. Her name is Katie, and we quickly became friends. She told me that she was getting weight loss surgery in a few days. I was intrigued. I stewed over this new thought for a while—even did a little research and dreamed about someday being able to afford something like that. I was impressed with how quickly she was losing weight. One night, MexicanGirl and I were at Walmart and Katie called wanting to hang out. She came to Walmart. They where introduced and we stood right there in the plus-size clothing section talking about her experiences with the Gastric Sleeve. I felt something. I didn't know what, but now I know it was a glimmer of hope. I thought about it over and over. I was a woman obsesed. Finally I turned to my EC about my feelings and to my pleasant surprise, she felt the same way. We decided we were going to take serious measures to research the sleeve to see if it was right for us. We spent hours reading and watching other people's stories on YouTube. We invited Katie out for Breakfast. She brought us her Kaiser Bariatric Surgery program binder and ansered all our questions. That day, we knew. We had to do this! MexicanGirl called her doctor that day and scheduled her intro class. I was still waiting to get approved for medical insurance, but I went with her to her intro class. She was referred into the Kaiser South Sacramento Bariatric program and we went to her orientation together. We decided not to undergo the sleeve and opted for the RNY Gastric Bypass instead. Shortly after I was able to get into Kaiser and on March 26th, 2014, We met our Surgeons! MexicanGirl got Dr. Neuhouse and I got Dr. Grinberg. At my orientation, I clocked in at my highest weight ever, 287! I lost 5 pounds right away which gave me a start weight of 283. Dr. Grinberg congratulated me on my loss and told me I needed to lose 15 more pounds and get down to 268 before I could schedule a surgery date. We were given a 1200 calorie diet to follow and that day we went to Ihop for a meal of pancakes and got started. The first ten pounds came off pretty easily. We ate right, we walked, we did Turbo Jam, we attempted yoga (owie!) and tried Zumba. I moved in with MexicanGirl so we could support each other, as neither of our families understood our struggles. MexicanGirl's weight melted right off and before we knew it, she was below her pre-op goal weight. The last five pounds were murder for me. It was going so slow! One day, I gained .8 pounds on the doctor scale. I was so upset! I cried and felt like a failure, but MexicanGirl gave me the kick in the pants I needed. I called my nutritionist who told me that I was doing e everything right and to stop kicking myself over less than a pound. Two days later I was 267! As MexicanGirl was already below her goal weight, we were both able to get our surgery dates. One June 16th, 2014, we are BOTH getting the Gastric Bypass surgeries that we so desperately need! For the first time in my life, my future looks bright. I am looking forward to getting healthy. I want to run, jump, and dance. I want to go on hikes without feeling like I'm going to drop dead. I am going to meet my future husband and my body won't make me feel unworthy of him. I will have children, and grandchildren and great-grandchildren. When i am old, and wise, I will greet death like and old friend, because it will be my time. My children will not bury me prematurely. I am grateful to my Heavenly Father for making this available to us. I know my Daddy is looking down and me and is rooting me on! June 16th, here I come!

This story has a beginning, but the end is still nowhere in sight. I am the oldest of three kids. My mother is one of those breathtaking, exotic beauties that you just can't help but admire. My father was a handsome man—full of life. We were adorable children—happy and content. I looked like my Dad, but was starting to look like Mom every day. The happiness didn't last. When Dad left, depression took over and I had no one to talk to besides my siblings, who were too young to confide in. That's when my brother and sister and I discovered how comforting food was. Through the years my body grew out as well as up, and I noticed something. My brother and sister where growing up to be beautiful, slender people, and I got fat. Really fat. To this day I still don't understand how genetics can bless two siblings and curse the other, but that is my lot in life. I hated my body and as the years extended into adolescence and adulthood, the hatred toward my excess fat turned into self-loathing, which led to more weight gain and more fat, more tears, and more heartbreak. I couldn't stand the person I had become, but through years of dieting and killing myself trying to do extreme workouts and diets, I decided to just accept the perceived fact that I would always be fat, sad, and alone. It seemed the only person who truly understood my heartache was my cousin, sister, and EC (Eternal Companion,) MexicanGirl. She was going through the same thing. We loved each other, supported each other, confided in each other, and yes, ate together and got fatter together. Then it came. The worst day of my life.The day Dad died, my heart failed. The wind was taken out of my lungs and with it, my will to live. I sunk into the deepest, blackest despair. I cried every night and prayed to God that he would take me home to be with my Dad before I woke up in the morning. If it weren't for MexicanGirl, I don't think I would be alive right now writing this. When I woke up, I was bursting out of all of my clothes and I didn't recognize myself in pictures. I thought back to when I lost Dad. More than anything, I want to be a wife and a mother. I didn't see myself getting there, and even if that miracle did happen, I couldn't bear the thought of my own daughter holding my hand as I die too young and not having the heart to let go until rigor mortis set in and she has to pry her hand out of mine like I did with Dad. I knew I needed to break the cycle. I knew that if I kept going down this path, I would become a diabetic like Dad and die too early. I had to stop it. I researched more diets and exercise programs. Nothing felt right. I knew I would fail them all. Then one day at church, I heard this new girl in the pew in front of me talking to my other cousin about her upcoming marriage. I didn't know here, but I felt very strongly that I needed to introduce myself and offer to design her wedding invitations. Her name is Katie, and we quickly became friends. She told me that she was getting weight loss surgery in a few days. I was intrigued. I stewed over this new thought for a while—even did a little research and dreamed about someday being able to afford something like that. I was impressed with how quickly she was losing weight. One night, MexicanGirl and I were at Walmart and Katie called wanting to hang out. She came to Walmart. They where introduced and we stood right there in the plus-size clothing section talking about her experiences with the Gastric Sleeve. I felt something. I didn't know what, but now I know it was a glimmer of hope. I thought about it over and over. I was a woman obsesed. Finally I turned to my EC about my feelings and to my pleasant surprise, she felt the same way. We decided we were going to take serious measures to research the sleeve to see if it was right for us. We spent hours reading and watching other people's stories on YouTube. We invited Katie out for Breakfast. She brought us her Kaiser Bariatric Surgery program binder and ansered all our questions. That day, we knew. We had to do this! MexicanGirl called her doctor that day and scheduled her intro class. I was still waiting to get approved for medical insurance, but I went with her to her intro class. She was referred into the Kaiser South Sacramento Bariatric program and we went to her orientation together. We decided not to undergo the sleeve and opted for the RNY Gastric Bypass instead. Shortly after I was able to get into Kaiser and on March 26th, 2014, We met our Surgeons! MexicanGirl got Dr. Neuhouse and I got Dr. Grinberg. At my orientation, I clocked in at my highest weight ever, 287! I lost 5 pounds right away which gave me a start weight of 283. Dr. Grinberg congratulated me on my loss and told me I needed to lose 15 more pounds and get down to 268 before I could schedule a surgery date. We were given a 1200 calorie diet to follow and that day we went to Ihop for a meal of pancakes and got started. The first ten pounds came off pretty easily. We ate right, we walked, we did Turbo Jam, we attempted yoga (owie!) and tried Zumba. I moved in with MexicanGirl so we could support each other, as neither of our families understood our struggles. MexicanGirl's weight melted right off and before we knew it, she was below her pre-op goal weight. The last five pounds were murder for me. It was going so slow! One day, I gained .8 pounds on the doctor scale. I was so upset! I cried and felt like a failure, but MexicanGirl gave me the kick in the pants I needed. I called my nutritionist who told me that I was doing e everything right and to stop kicking myself over less than a pound. Two days later I was 267! As MexicanGirl was already below her goal weight, we were both able to get our surgery dates. One June 16th, 2014, we are BOTH getting the Gastric Bypass surgeries that we so desperately need! For the first time in my life, my future looks bright. I am looking forward to getting healthy. I want to run, jump, and dance. I want to go on hikes without feeling like I'm going to drop dead. I am going to meet my future husband and my body won't make me feel unworthy of him. I will have children, and grandchildren and great-grandchildren. When i am old, and wise, I will greet death like and old friend, because it will be my time. My children will not bury me prematurely. I am grateful to my Heavenly Father for making this available to us. I know my Daddy is looking down and me and is rooting me on! June 16th, here I come!

I am on Welbutrin and noticed a decrease in appetite when I started, it's one of the few that don't have weight gain as a side effect. It may be worth checking out?!

I have two kids, 3 and 4, that are the love of my life. My son is big but thin; my daughter is not a big eater at all but she is a bit chubby. I don't really notice it until she's around other kids and she's a lot thicker. Both kids like to swim, play outside, etc. My husband and I are trying to build healthy family habits, and since we're both sleeved, there's not a lot of junk in the house anyway. My pediatrician isn't overly alarmed but asked us to keep an eye on it. I feel like we are doing all the things recommended for healthy kids, but I wonder if it's really possible for two parents who've battled weight to have kids that can outrun their genetic lottery toward weight gain. Thoughts?

My sister had the band. It was with miserable outcome and no real long term success. She was approved for revision to a sleeve and has lost all her weight gain (since she was banded) and more. Look for a new bariatric surgeon and rule out any medical issues before you beat yourself up too badly. It is discouraging to gain weight back but it could be other things aside from bad choices and loss of control. Could be several factors that you are not even aware of.

Weight was 231 day of surgery came home and now 237 . Do you loose that fluid weight pretty fast?

smacke20 - Being from the US I don't know how much a "stone" is, but any gain is a gain and I know your pain. I am now up 10 pounds. I feel FAT. I walk 3 miles everyday and work out each evening..still up. The doctor told me to relax, that this is normal and it will come back off. Just hang in there and give it time. He is watching to make sure I don't keep going up. I hope you have leveled off on your weight gain by now (sorry for answering so late) but if not, stay active. Walk, swim, workout..whatever it takes. I am eating too much, too large a portions and some wrong things. It is ALL ME and I am the only one who can get it under control, but - that is why I got the band in the 1st place - no control. I guess now, I have no choice but to figure it out..I sure don't want to gain all 124 pounds back..YUCK.. Melinda in Florida

This is a difficult one.... A close friend is going through the same thing. She went back on Lexapro, and gained over 50 pounds. Unfortunately, this is a problem with certain types of antidepressants. You might want to talk with your doctor and see if he/she can try something else. There are a few that I know of that don't cause weight gain. I believe Prozac and Wellbutrin don't have this issue. Also, Effexor. But if what you're currently taking is working for you, then switching can be a problem. The only other thing you can try, is to beef up your exercise routine. If you're walking 30 minutes a day, bump it up to 30 minutes twice a day......something along those lines. You may be able to reel it in, but it's going to be a challenge. Those drugs slow everything down, and that's why the weight comes on.

I lost 90# and I'm 3 yrs. post op. 6 months ago I was put on an antidepressant [sNRI] and have gained 25# without changing my eating habits. I know weight gain can be a side effect of this class of meds and now am off of them, but still can't lose weight. Anyone have a similar experience and/or any advice? Thanks bunches!

Just wondering...most of us have disclosed our fluid and protein intake, but how many calories are you guys getting? Back in 2008 I used to work at a weight loss clinic (go figure) but I did get down to 175 with suppressants, supplements, and a strict 500 calorie diet. It was a high protein low carb, low fat diet. What I noticed and what we would instruct our patients was never ever go under that 500 calories. It seemed to be the magic number that determined weight loss or weight gain! In the beginning, everyone lost huge amounts because it upended our routine but after week 2 if you weren't getting 500 calories, you would stay the same or gain. Over the weekend it hit me when I had 3 days of the same weight and a gain on day 4! My fitness pal was around 400 calories. So I made sure to get over 500 and started losing again. Also, for those excercising, if you consume 700 and burn 400 your're still under 500. I've noticed that on few posts of people excercising there butt off and getting their protein and water, but not losing. Anyway, I'm not an expert. Just a thought.

I had my mid band surgery in 2004. I successfully lost 87 lbs. Over the past 6 months I have gained 38 lbs! I have gone in for many Fills and can't maintain restriction. After a couple of days my restriction disappears. I have had the barium test and last week in day surgery had the port checked. It is fine. My surgeon is at a loss. There was 6cc in my band. I have always needed a larger fill than his other patients. I am hungry all the time, eat healthy, organic foods but due to Polycystic Ovarian Disease compounded with genetic obesity I have to eat next to nothing to maintain weight loss. I eat about 1200 - 1500 calories a day keeping carbs low. The band gave me the restriction I needed. I am at a loss as is my surgeon. Please, any help or suggestions would be much appreciated. I am depressed and ashamed of the weight gain after so many years of success. I do not know where to turn for help.

I worry when I read about insurance denying other people because they have no "Documented" weight loss attempts. Of course like everyone else I've been on numerous diets, But none of them were documented other then Weight Watchers but when I called to get them to sign over papers that I attended meeting's they told me they couldn't find me in their system anywhere (Figures). So I'm relying upon a few medical records I found, Some from childhood documenting my weight gain, Another from when I was 11 (I was 166lbs then) and I was sent to a Dietician for my high cholesterol and the last from 2008 (188lbs) when I had my gall bladder removed, In the hospital records it says "Patient states she's on a diet" (Weight watchers at the time). I'm hoping for approval, wish me luck!

My husband was supportive about my choice to have surgery. When we met I was not diabetic. Maybe a year later I was. I just didn't relish the idea of being on pills or insulin for the rest of my life. But still, I was very secretive about the whole process. I only told my boss at work to let her know I would need time off and two close friends. Sadly, I am not talking to one of those friends anymore. People are so judgey about it. "Oh, just eat less, put down the fork." I can't not eat. Gamblers can avoid a casino and drinkers can pour all their vodka down the drain, but every day, I have to eat. I lost 70 lbs by diet and exercise and it all came back. In turn all that weight gain just made me depressed and I ate more. I no longer take my diabetes pills, my blood sugar rarely gets up past 130. I don't wake up with blood sugar at 210 no matter how healthy my meal was the night before. It's my body and it was my decision. I don't regret it at all. Life is too short to not be happy.

Congrats. Your story is somewhat similar to mine. I was 320 and joined WW. I learned to love working out. I was 50 and running 5 mikes, biking 50 plus, lifting weights etc. I got down to 185 where I stalled. then I had a major hip injury and surgery. Working out was not an option. Slowly I gained 50 pounds back and it has been a yo yo ( with more yo than yo) for 2 years. I recently reinjured my hip simply due to the weight gain. I am now up to 280 and it's feels worse than the 330 ever did! That was the last straw. I am in the early stages...not even had first appointment. But I know how good if can be..and I am determined to get back there.