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I was never a heavy kid, although I was never skinny. I was fairly athletic, and also an “early bloomer” girl. By the time I was 12, I looked more like an 18 yr old, which caused my mother a fair amount of concern. My weight gain has been the result of a sort of “perfect storm” of three factors. When I was 17, I seriously injured my left knee in a silly accident. Five months later, I re-injured it playing basketball. I think I could have come back from the first injury, but the second injury pretty much meant that my knee would never be quite the same again. When I was 25, I began taking a medication that had a side effect of increased appetite. Around the same time, my first husband began to get seriously interested in cooking. He developed his skill to almost a professional chef level. He prepared amazing food every day, and we loved hosting dinner parties. Because of my knee issues, exercise was difficult. Sure enough, the weight piled on. The higher my weight got, the more difficulties I had with my knee. I attempted to diet, but my husband was not willing to compromise the quality of his food by adjusting his dishes to be low fat. It became a vicious cycle and I continued to put on weight. Eventually, due to all the years of compensating for my left knee, I began to have problems with my right knee. I’ve had arthroscopic surgeries, but those procedures really just ended up aggravating the damage. In 2006, I went through a divorce and decided to try online dating. I hadn’t had a date with anyone new since 1984, so I wasn’t really sure what to expect. As it turned out, I met a wonderful man, and we married five years ago. He is very much a caretaker kind of guy, and he always made a point of doing the heavy lifting for me. I was already heavy when we met, probably around 270, but my weight crept up over the 300 mark. Because my husband jumps in so quickly to help me with tasks I find difficult, it took me awhile to notice how quickly my mobility was deteriorating. I love to cook, and I started noticing that I couldn't stand up all the way through preparing a meal. I began to sit down when I was doing all my prep work. At the end of cooking a big meal, my pain would be such that I couldn't even carry the plates to the table. Big trips to the grocery store, or walking through our local farmer’s market, became very difficult and painful. Going up stairs was not too bad, but going down stairs or down a slope would bring tears to my eyes. I am in school full time right now, and I have to carefully plan my walking routes to figure out the way with the fewest stairs and hills. My orthopedic doc has told me I need double knee replacement surgery, but he warned me that the replacements only last about 10-15 years. Carrying excess weight would put me on the shorter end of that range. The older I am and the less I weigh when I have my knees replaced, the better the outcome will be. I am 48 right now, and that’s way too young. About a year ago, my ortho's PA suggested that I get a handicapped hang tag for my car. Believe it or not, I was shocked. Me, disabled? No way! I just limp a lot, and have pain every day, and can’t stand for more than a few minutes at a time, and I can’t….oh, wait. Never mind. It was a very hard thing for me to accept, but that is exactly where I have gotten to. A few months ago, I sat down and made a list of all the things I could do 2 or 3 years ago, but can no longer do. The length of the list shocked me into action, and I began to investigate the different types of WLS. I chose the sleeve for many of the same reasons we all did...no malabsorption issues, no messing with intestines, etc. I know I will probably still need to have my knees replaced someday. However, losing a significant amount of weight will help me in many ways, including allowing me to delay the knee surgery for (hopefully) years. About a year ago, we became friends with a couple who have both had DS surgery. Although I have known people who had some type of WLS, they were never people with the same kind of food passion that I have. However, these new friends are even more hardcore foodies than I am. They showed me that WLS does not have to mean losing the passion for food that is so important to me. They have shared with me the ways in which they adapted their cooking post-op, and how they still enjoy amazing food in much less quantity. So, I’m approaching this surgery as a creative challenge. I already don’t eat a lot of crappy food, but I think I will have much less tolerance for it post-op. I am adapting some of my recipes for post-op life, and researching cookbooks for ideas. I don't really have a firm goal weight. I'd like for my weight to be under 200, but I won't feel like a failure if I don't get there. I want to walk without pain. I want to dance. I want to be able to work in my yard. I want to walk around to the shops and restaurants downtown and stroll through the farmer’s market. I want to go shopping with my girlfriends. I want to go to a concert or a sports event and know that I can walk around the venue. I want to travel, and be able to walk around exploring a new place. I want to burn the handicap sign in my car. I know there will always be limits to what I can do, but the restrictions in my life have become unacceptable to me. I just want to walk.

Hi my name is Quinn Banded Feb 5, 2013. Been heavy since 1998, Jr year in high school. I dont know what happen, I didnt realize the MAJOR weight gain til friends started to make jokes. My highest weight was 283 and I wasnt even that heavy 4 years ago while pregnant I was 250. Major health problems starting with PCOS leading to taking metformin and high blood pressure medicine and then using the CPAP Machine. I didnt feel like I could date because one day I would have to fall asleep around that person. So embarassing. My current weight is now 255. I work out 2 days with my trainer, 3 total days now at a boot camp class. I am seeing some results but got discourage once I GOT hungry. So after my second fill of 7.2 cc. I am not pretty restricted. You guys are now my lapband family so I FEEL ok with telling you all this stuff. This is a judgment free zone. THANK YOU!!!!

I don't know anything about the plication, but I had the sleeve done on Tuesday, 26 Mar and went back to work half days 2 days later. No complications, no issues, no leaks. I had to ask myself what I was willing to sacrifice to finally get off the roller coaster of weight loss, weight gain, weight loss over my life. I am 46 and would do it again in a heartbeat! Just starting my weight loss journey and so excited for the outcome!!! Good luck.

It would not be normal if you weren't scared! It's a drastic measure, but I think we have all done the same thing, lose the weight, gain it back, gain back more, and the circle goes on. I have 1 more apt with my family doc and the administrator can apply to my insurance. I am excited and scared shitless, but know this time next year I will be a different person!

Thank your girls for chiming in! I really appreciate it. I also noticed that I woke up SUPER crabby today. I'm stuffing it all inside and its kindof festering and I feel like I might explode. Darn hormones! I DO need to go for a walk. Then maybe ill feel like taking on all of today's tasks. I really need to poop. I think it's been like 5 days. I'm going to make a green smoothie today, those usually make me feel better about myself and feel cleaner and should get things moving. Lol I know dh isn't the whole problem. I'm also having air of emotions about exercise, the way my body is changing, wether or not I should weigh in weekly or monthly (tomorrow is wi day), these kittens I need to find a home for in a week and I SO wish it was this week but Not because they are bad, just because I feel like I have too much on my plate. Whether or not I should go on antidepressants(common side effect, weight gain), etc. I'm a mess. And I can't eat my emotions, so I'm angry that everyone else can go on like normal, eating. BUT!!! I really do loove my sleeve and I wouldn't have It any other way, so I'm pulling up my big girl panties and figuring this thing out. (Hug)

I got my Sleeve on March 18th which was also my Birthday. I thought it was completely serendipitous. I have avoided the scale after weighed myself on Day 2 after surgery and noted a 10 pound weight gain. I feel good physically most discomfort is at night. I am having a hard time getting in the recommended Water and Protein. It seems that eating and drinking takes all day. I am at a stage 2 diet and I was told to eat/drink 1 oz of Fluid every 10 minutes. I am constantly watching the clock. It seems this will not be doable when I return to work. I know it has to be for my health's sake, I just can't see it in my mind's eye yet. How long do we continue to need to sip every 10 minutes? Sent from my iPhone using VST

Pre surgery I had a BMI of around 36. This week marks 6 months post surgery for me. It has been a truly wonderful experience. I have lost 53 lbs so far. My whole life until surgery I felt like I was battling against weight gain. I fought to stay at the weight I was at...I'd hate to think where I would be had I given up the fight. The surgery was just part of my journey to be healthy. Best of luck to you!!

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

Hi All, My name is Amy. I am new to the forum and I look forward to reading all of your posts. I have finally decided to seek gastric sleeve surgery and I am in the beginning stages. I have received a refarral from my PCP, have gone to the first info. session, and am approved by my insurance company for surgery. Seeking health has been a life-long journey for me. I exercise regularly, and eat a balanced diet. Unforunately, my body has many auto-immune conditions, including Type I diabetes, chronic hives, hashimotos thyroid, and celiac diease. Worsening blood pressure, asthma, sleep apnea and cholesterol levels are complicated by weight gain. I have worked with a nutrionist for 11 yrs, and I am ready to see the results of my efforts. I hope the gastric sleeve will be a helpful tool for me! I have a 35 BMI, and would love to know the expereinces of others with a lower BMI. Thanks! Amy

One of the best parts of getting back on track and living like a compliant bandster is the amazing food I get to eat. Nope, not kidding. I happen to be a pretty darned good cook. The problem is that when I'm not living right with my band, I get lazy. Cooking for one person half the time just doesn't seem "worth it," as if I'm not worth taking care of as much as the other people I cook for. That leads to take out, dining out, fast food, convenience foods, and processed foods. And that leads to weight gain. But when I'm concentrating on improving my life by working with the band, I eat not only healthier foods, but often tastier ones as well. Just in the past week, I made band friendly versions of beef Bourguignon, macaroni and cheese, braised chicken thighs with mushroom sauce, and for dinner tonight, Asian lettuce wraps with chicken and vegetables. It's all fresh, high protein, low fat, unprocessed, organic, and so much better than anything I could get at a supermarket or a cheap restaurant that it makes me shake my head that I ever made those choices. Even with the band, I love to cook, I love to eat, and I love flavorful foods. Now, I'm just finding ways to eat them the right way in the right amounts with the right ingredients. And it just rocks!

... I'm hangin' my head too. I have NEVER exercised, not really, since surgery. I decided early on.....I wanted to make life changes. I know ME, I know I am LAZY and I know I have the attention span of a four year old. I did NOT want to lose weight in part with exercise because I was gung ho.....lose it, get bored and quit, only to regain part of my weight. I reached goal in just under five months, * doctor's goal * and my goal, five lbs less, a month later. 1200 calories keeps me where I need to be, it's been easy and I'd do it again in a heartbeat. I make choices and not having 'real' hunger, it is much easier to make WISE choices most of the time. I weigh every single day and if I'm up 2 or 3 lbs (and yes, I swear, it CAN happen over night!!), I adjust and it comes right off. Some times it's Water, some times it is Pasta or Mexican food. Weight gain can happen so fast, but keeping track, keeps it easy. If I were to weigh once a week or once every two weeks....or YIKES, once a month...and were to be up 8 or 10 lbs, that would not be as easy to handle. I know how fast it can happen!!! Anyway....hardly any bread, seldom any at home, I nibble, some times more than I should, at restaurants. No chips, almost never. Sooooo, you are NOT alone. I too confess!!!

Calm down! 2 lbs can be nothing more than temporary water weight gain. Wait a couple of days and it will go back down.

Thought I should introduce myself since I've been lurking around. My name is Cassandra, I'm 29, I've been married for 7.5 years and I have an 18 month old son. I'm from Lubbock, TX. I was diagnosed with PCOS as a teen but my weight gain began in my very early 20's. I put on 70 lb in a matter of 12 months. I was always average sized (size 10 or so) and athletic throughout high school so the sudden weight gain accompanied by major hormonal changes was a shock to my system. Over the years I've become less physically active because I become frustrated with little to no results from so much effort. As a result I've gained an additional 30 lb on top of the 70 I gained at first. I also struggled with infertility as a result of the PCOS. It took 5 years to conceive our son, and only with the help of medical intervention. I also had some complications during pregnancy such as high blood pressure and gestational diabetes that were caused by my weight. I'm hoping to have more children in the future, but I do not want to put my future children or myself at such a high risk. I need to fix this now. So now I have 100 lb to lose, and I've decided that WLS is my best option for success. I met with a surgeon (Dr. David Syn) and because of other health issues that have me dependant on nsaids, we have chosen the sleeve. I had my psych eval and endoscopy, so I am now only waiting on insurance approval. Actually they should be submitting to insurance today. I'm hoping for a quick approval process but I'm prepared to have to wait. I may end up needing to complete 12 weeks of supervised nutrition, and in the worst case scenario, I might need to wait out a 6-month pre existing condition period, which will end August 1st. Thanks for reading, I'm hoping to learn a lot from this forum.

Allow me to introduce myself. I am 38, happily married, a Christian, and I work in Accounting and Finance for a faith-based, non-profit organization that provides permanent homes and vocational rehabilitation for developmentally disabled adults. My work is extremely rewarding, but my job is sedentary. Sitting at a desk crunching numbers for over 10 years had definitely contributed to my weight gain. About 2 years ago, my health began to deteriorate (high blood pressure, sleep apnea, heart valve issue due to the sleep apnea, foot and joint pain), and I made a decision to LIVE! I knew that if I didn't make a life change, I would not live to be an old woman. After close to 2 years of careful prayer, consideration, and loads of research and seminars, I decided to have the sleeve (I would have done it sooner, but insurance was an issue until recently). Today is my 3 month anniversary since the sleeve, and I have lost 62 pounds! I have turned into a healthy eating, exercising machine. I look in the mirror at this work out gear wearing woman and think, "Ok, who are you, how did you get inside my mirror, and what have you done with Kristy's body"? I have had no post surgery issues----no nausea, no vomiting, no food intolerances. The only food issue I have had is a dislike for eggs, no matter how I prepare them, I just don't like them anymore. My experience has been great and I have done exceptionally well. I have been blessed, and I contribute all this to my faith, the support of my husband/my rock, and the wonderful care I have received from my doctor and his staff. Being totally prepared has been a tremendous help, as well. The weight loss has slowed down just a bit now, but I am feeling so great that if I don't lose another pound, it has all been worth it. ALL of my previous health issues are gone and I feel like a new woman. I have no regrets, and I am looking forward to a healthy, better, and well adjusted long life. Being thin has never been my goal----being healthy is the most important thing to me. Even when I reach my goal weight, I will still be a plus sized person, and I am totally ok with that. I will be a healthy, plus sized person. Thanks for listening, and I wish everyone much success and many blessings! Have a great day.

Kelli - sounds like good advise from your dietician - I have been pretty much focused on Protein most of the time other than my healthy obsesssion with sweet things! I thought I was seeing mine today but it turned out it was only an appointment with my surgeon. He was pretty happy with me reaching goal but says I must get into the exercise as my metabolism will be so low now with the low calories I have been consuming that any increase in calories will cause a weight gain. Exercise will increase my metabolism so as I can eat more as time goes on, I will be able to maintain. Hey - I am great with the theory but not so good at actually putting the exercise part into practice! Lissa - glad to hear your energy levels are a bit better. I know what you mean about the carbs - they do give you more energy but then do slow down the weight loss - it is all a balancing act. Just make sure that you don't get Iron deficient like I have - I did have the symptoms which was fatigue and dizziness but didn't realise that was what it was. Back on track with that now. Nessa - don't worry too much about a gain - I know it is discouraging but I am the same as Aussiegirl and can swing up and down a kilo or so. It depends on what kind of week I have and what kind of Fluid I am carrying etc. The important thing is to keep putting one foot in front of the other and talk yourself out of feeling bad about it - just lie back and think of Hawaii!. I think we are all way too hard on our selves because of years of carry the guilt of being over weight - time to let that go with the weight is what I say! Aussiegirl - you are such an inspiration to me. Once I get my head around this exercise thing I hope I can get comments like that. You must feel amazing! How are your energy levels - my muscles are going to get such a shock when I actually do start exercising!

DonRondolfo, their prices are pretty cheap! The lady's that was $46,000 said she lived in Alaska, so I'm sure that's why. It's outrageous for anything there. I think mine will be around $23,000. After talking with the surgeon, we decided the bypass was the best way for me to go anyway. I have 5 comorbidities, two of which cause severe weight gain, so I absorb fat really easily. With the bypass, you don't absorb fat the same way. Yes, it's a lot more risky and has more complications, but I really don't have a choice. My PCP said I'd be dead within 2 years if I didn't do something. : (

Ok so I'm three days away from my two month post op mark. I'm so worried cause I haven't lost anymore weight and I'm adding new foods. I'm worried that ill gain weight or that I've lost all I'm going to lose. Preop weight was 236 current post op 195. I was so happy to reach 195 and now I'm worried cause the scale has not moved in weeks. I do Pilates and strength training for toning. I am a lot more active. I am however under a lot of stress. I broke out in hives last night and had to go to ER and get a shot. It was a steroid! The doc said I had no choice because of the rash. So now I'm really panicking. Steroids equal weight gain. I know the shot is temporary and won't last but a day or so but I don't need any help gaining! I guess my question is am I losing weight at a normal rate? Have I stalled? Help! My goal is 145 realistically but really want 135. I do drink tea with sweetnlow and water with crystal lite. Only one slice of toast a day with sugar free jelly. Any ideas?

I am 20 weeks pregnant and 1.75 years out from the sleeve. I lost 130 pounds. At 5'11" I weight around 160. I am up to 183 as of today. That is 23 pounds weight gain in 21 weeks (21 on Wednesday). I have NO clue whether or not I am going to lose this weight, but my restriction might as well be a thing of the past. I can eat my FACE off! I am so hungry all the time! I am hoping that the hunger goes away after baby, but I don't know. I was in maintenance when I got pregnant...I wish I gotten pregnant while still losing, but hey. I am pregnant for the first time at 36! That is a miracle. I have gained weight all over and still can squeeze into my clothes from my thighs, but can not button anything in the tummy. Shirts are little snug in the arms but mostly in my tummy. I feel big, but I am not going to let it get me down. I am not working out which just is terrible. I can not function in this cold weather and I am waiting for the warm weather to hit so I can go walking. Did i mention I can eat? Like everything! So scary!

Just know that your story is very common and that's not a bad thing just know that you're not the only person who thinks, have thought or is thinking this way. You're story is not too far from mind I was never a big kid, teen or even young adult if I post all my pic from birth to high school graduation I was considered normal or even skinny my weight gain started later in life mid to late 20's and I too felt that I should be able to loose this weight with out this particular tool - I put it on myself I just need to try harder! But you know I tried WW, Nutrisystem and every fad diet out there with some success but very short lived. This surgery was the best thing that happen to me and I knew I needed this particular tool to help me success and so far i'm 22 months post op and happy! Don't feel bad about having to have surgery if all of us were able to loose on our own i'm quite sure we would have and have tried! What ever you decide be selfish and make a decision for you and what's best for you what ever that maybe! Good luck in your decisions and journey!

I literally have decided just to not care anymore. I am up 24 pounds in 21 weeks. The amount of food I can eat is astonishing. I really wouldn't eat that much, but I am forever hungry! I am glad I had the sleeve! I would have gained 100 being pregnant. I am going to try to at least go back to low carbing it because the carbs are really what triggers the sweet craving and wanting more carbs. I have to eat carbs, but if i can just make carbs the last meal of the day. I will try that tomorrow. I just eat what I can get my hands on, and I am not making smart choices. I eat from sun up to sun down. I just had a big plate of spaghetti. I shouldn't have chosen that. I was going to do chicken salad with fruit, but I saw the pasta and it sounded good. I am on the way to 50 or 60 pound weight gain. I hope hope hope hope hope hope hope the hunger goes away after baby. It is really overwhelming. I dream about food. I love food. I want food. If I don't get it...watch out!

Hello, everyone! I'm new here & was glad to find this group. I'm still pre-op, but almost finished with all the requirements. My surgeon won't even submit my file for insurance approval til next month, but I already made his nurse pencil me in on June 19. I'm in school right now, so I had a very narrow window to squeeze in the surgery between my summer classes. Coco, good luck to you today! Please let us know how it goes when you can. I am not in a wheelchair (yet), but I have very limited mobility. I blew out my left knee when I was 17, and the weight gain over the years has caused my poor knees to deteriorate badly. I can't walk without limping & I'm in pain every day. I was facing double knee replacement surgery, but I decided that sleeve surgery would be the better option. Not only will losing weight make me healthier overall, but my ortho surgeon told me that for every 10 lbs of weight I lose, I'll take 40 lbs of pressure off my knees! I will probably still have to have knee replacement some day, but I'm hoping to hold it off for as many years as I can.

The same thing is happening with me I lost around 15 lbs from my six month med. Diet now people tell oh you dont need the surgery but but the same thing always happens lose a little weight gain alot more back

I can understand this. I tend to obsess about my scale when I am doing any type of weight loss thing. I then avoid it at all cost when I am not. My Dr. wants me weighing weekly during this 6 months supervised weight loss time and I said that I was fine with weekly but wanted to avoid more. She said she wanted it to quit being an obsession and just normal. I know it will be hard for me not to weigh daily, multiple times a day, after every pee and poop and naked and clothed... he he... after surgery. I guess I can understand why my Dr. wants me to start not obsessing now. I am weighing once a week, and I am going to avoid anymore, or any less. I think as someone with an eating disorder, and history of weight gain that it is probably pretty important that I weigh weekly, for the rest of my life, to stay on target.

Below is what you posted yesterday, when you go off plan and advance your diet to foods that aren't Protein dense and that are high in sodium weight gain should be expected. Evidently you felt bad enough, as you did say you wanted to confess what you did. Or maybe it's like you said it's just your period. Posted March 22, 2013 - 4:37 PM Im 10 days post op and I've been sneaking in soft foods..broccoli and fish oh and a pickle (no skin) I haven't eating a lot but I just had to confess. Im actually 19lbs down! But I haven't lost anything in the last 2days just wondering if I may have caused a stall ..remember I was losing 2 1/2 to 3 lbs a day!